pi\Ep/\?E. 




-i»;^ -H>-l- «tf5.f-» 

5 HE greatest of English historians, Macaulat, and one of the most brilliant -writers of 
the present century, has said: "The history of a country is best told in a record of the 
lives of its people." In conformity with this idea the Portrait and Biographical 
Record of this county has been prepared. Instead of going to musty records, and 
taking therefrom dry statistical matter that can be appreciated by but few, our 
corps of writers have gone to the people, the men and women who have, by then- 
enterprise and industry, brought the county to rank second to none among those 
comprising this great and noble State, and from their lips have the story of their life 
struggles. No more interesting or instructive matter could be presented to an intelli- 
gent public. In this volume will be found a record of many whose lives are worthy the 
imitation of coming generations. It tells how some, commencing life in poverty, by 
industry and economy have accumulated wealth. It tells how others, with limited 
advantages for securing an education, have become learned men and women, with an 
influence extending throughout the length and breadth of the land. It tells of men who 
have risen from the lower walks of life to eminence as statesmen, and whose names have 
become famous. It tells of those in every walk in life who have striven to succeed, and 
records how that success has usually crowned their efforts. It tells also of many, very 
many, who, not seeking the applause of the world, have pursued "the even tenor of their way," content 
to have it said of them as Christ said of the woman performing a deed of mercy — "they have done what 
they could." It tells how that many in the pride and strength of young manhood left the plow and the 
anvil, the lawj-er's office and the counting-room, left every trade and profession, and at their country's 
call went forth valiantly "to do or die," and how through their efforts the Union was restored and peace 
once more reigned in the land. In the life of every man and of every woman is a lesson that should not 
be lost upon those who follow after. 

Coming generations will appreciate this volume and preserve it as a sacred treasure, from the fact 
that it contains so much that would never find its way into public records, and which would otherwise be 
inaccessible. Great care has been taken in the compilation of the work and every opportunity possible 
given to those represented to insure correctness in what has been written, and the publishers flatter them- 
selves that they give to their readers a work with few errors of consequence. In addition to the biograph 
ical sketches, portraits of a number of representative citizens are given. 

The faces of some, and biographical sketches of many, will be missed in this volume. For this the 
publishers are not to blame. Not having a proper conception of the work, some refused to give the 
information necessary to compile a sketch, while others were indifferent. Occasionally some member of 
the family would oppose the enterprise, and on account of such opposition the sujiport of the interested 
one would be withheld. In a few instances men could never be found, though repeated calls were made 
at their residence or place of business. 

March, 1893. CHAPMAN BROS. 




^7 m \^ 




•/ 



r^ 



-^-»- 



*2^ 



:^- 



//. /\ 1 1[ // 1 1 






-<x^^ 






3'¥^.^^ 






1 -.iv 



^:r '^"^Ji-i- 



e5fl 



•U|lr 



-OF— 



^/o/, Hay, Carroll, Chariton 

and Linn Counties, 
MISSOURI. 



CONTAINING 



^ 



lJ 



HJ 



Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, 

TOGETHER WITH BIOGRAPHIES AND PORTRAITS OF ALL THE 

® Presidents of the Ignited states.® 



CHICAGO: 

CHAPMAN BROS. 

1893. 




L.J diti M 










y^ 



iiMd: 




ro;(Af^R^Sl:» 






OF THE 






OFTHE 







FIRST PRESIDENT. 




r]riJ<cS»«2S».^i^<^<igi<i'-..'. •..'■•. '■ ■. ', ■. '. ■. •.'S)^<^"^^t^<^t^t^>^tS&"^^^^^tSgj 



EOBB] 



."i)'-^«^t£g)'^'.; i' 



■ '■'•■'t'V.'t^ta.W i^^^t^v.'l 



■xvN.Tx^..^^^ 





V5) 



IV. 



HE Father of our Country was 
born in Westmorland Co., Va., 
Feb. 22, 1732. His parents 
were Augustine and Mary 
(Ball) Washington. The family 
to which he belonged has not 
been satisfactorily traced in 
England. His great-grand- 
father, John Washington, em- 
igrated to Virginia about 1657, 
and became a prosperous 
* planter. He had two sons, 
Lawrence and John. The 
former married Mildred Warner 
and had three children, John, 
Augustine and Mildred. Augus- 
tine, the father of George, fiist 
married Jane Butler, who bore 
him four children, two of whom, 
Lawrence and Augustine, reached 

f maturity. Of six children by his 
second marriage, George was the 
eldest, the others being Betty, 
i Samuel, John Augustine, Charles 

and Mildred. 
Augustine Washington, the father of George, died 
in 1743, leaving a large landed property. To his 
eldest son, Lawrence, he bequeathed an estate on 
the Patomac, afterwards known as Mount Vernon, 
and to George he left the parental residence. George 
received only such education as the neighborhood 
schools afforded, save for a short time after he left 
scliool, when he received private imtniction in 
Biatheinat'cs, His speliinij v/as rather defective. 



Remarkable stories are told of his great physica: 
strength and development at an early age. He was 
an acknowledged leader among his companions, and 
was early noted for that nobleness of character, fair- 
ness and veracity which characterized his whole life. 

When George was i4yearsoldhehadadesiretogoto 
sea, and a midshipman's warrant was secured for him, 
but through the opjxisition of his mother the idea was 
abandoned. Two years later he was appointed 
surveyor to the immense estate of Lord Fairfax. In 
this business he spent three years in a rough frontier 
life, gaining experience which afterwards proved very 
essential to him. In 175 r, though only 19 years of 
age, he was appointed adjutant with the rank of 
major in the Virginia mihtia, then being trained for 
active service against the French and Indians. Soon 
after this he sailed to the West Indies with his brother 
Lawrence, who went there to restore his health They 
soon returned, and in the summer of 1752 Lawrence 
died, leaving a large fortune to an infant daughter 
who did not long survive him. On her demise the 
estate of Mount Vernon was given to George, 

Upon the arrival of Robert Dinwiddie, as Lieuten- 
ant-Governor of Virginia, in 1752, the militia was 
reorganized, and the province divided into four mili- 
tary districts, of which the northern was assigned to 
Washington as adjutant general. Shortly after this 
a very perilous mission was assigned him and ac- 
cepted, which others had refused. This was to pro- 
ceed to the French post near Lake Erie in North- 
western Pennsylvania. The distance to be traversed 
was between 500 and 600 miles. Winter was at hand, 
and the journey was to be made wiilioiit military 
escort, through a territory occupied by hiduuis. Ths 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 



irip was a perilous one, and several limes he came near 
losing his life, yet he returned in safety and furnished 
a full and useful report of his expedition. A regiment 
of 300 men was raised in Virginia and put in com- 
mand of Col. Joshua Fry, and Major Washington was 
commissioned lieutenant-colonel. Active war was 
then begun against the French and Indians, in which 
Washington took a most important part. In the 
memorable event of July 9, 1755, known as Brad- 
dock's defeat, Washington was almost the only officer 
of distinction who escaped from the calamities of the 
day with life and honor. The other aids of Braddock 
were disabled eariy in the action, and Washington 
alone was left in that capacity on the field. In a letter 
to his brother he says : " I had four bullets through 
my coat, and two horses shot under me, yet I escaped 
unhurt, though death was leveling my companions 
on every side." An Indian sharpshooter said he was 
not born to be killed by a bullet, for he had taken 
direct aim at him seventeen times, and failed to hit 
him. 

After having been five years in the military service, 
and vainly sought promotion in the royal army, he 
took advantage of the fall of Fort Duquesne and the 
expulsion of the French from the valley of the Ohio, 
to resign his commission. Soon after he entered the 
Legislature, where, although not a leader, he took an 
active and important part. January 17, 1759. he 
married Mrs. Martha (Dandridge) Custis, the wealthy 
widow of John Parke Custis. 

When the British Parliament had closed the port 
■af Boston, the cry went up throughout the provinces 
that "The cause of Boston is the cause of us all." 
It was then, at the suggestion of Virginia, that a Con- 
gress of all the colonies was called to meet at Phila- 
delphia,Sept. 5, 1774, to secure their common liberties, 
peaceably if possible. To this Congress Col. Wash- 
ington was sent as a delegate. On May 10, 1775, the 
Congress re-assembled, when the hostile intentions of 
England were plainly apparent. The battles of Con- 
cord and Lexington had been fought. Among the 
first acts of this Congr-.-ss was the election of a com- 
mander-in-chief of the colonial forces. This high and 
responsible office was conferred upon Washington, 
who was still a memberof the Congress. He accepted 
it on June 19, but upon the express condition that he 
receive no salary. He would keep an exact account 
of expenses and expect Congress to pay them and 
nothing more. It is not the object of this sketch to 
trace the military acts of Washington, to whom the 
fortunes and liberties of the people of this country 
were so long confided. The war was conducted by 
him under ever)' possible disadvantage, and while his 
forces often met with reverses, yet he overcame every 
obstacle, and after seven years of heroic devotion 
and matchless skill he gained liberty for the greatest 
nation of earth. On Dec. 23, 1783, Washington, in 
a parting address of surpassing beauty, resigned his 



commission as commander-in-chief of the army 10 
to the Continental Congress sitting at Annapolis. He 
retired immediately to Mount Vernon and resumed 
his occupation as a farmer and planter, shunning all 
connection with public life. 

In February, 1 7 89, Washington was unanimousl) 
elected President. In his presidential career he was 
subject to the peculiar trials incidental to a n,;w 
government ; trials from lack of confidence on the par" 
of other governments ; trials from want of harmony 
between the different sections of our own country; 
trials from the impoverished condition of the country, 
owmg to the war and want of credit; trials from the 
beginnings of party strife. He was no partisan. His 
clear judgment could discern the golden mean ; and 
while perhaps this alone kept our government from 
sinking at the veiy outset, it left him exposed to 
attacks from both sides, which were often bitter and 
very annoying. 

At the expiration of his first term he was unani- 
mously re-elected. At the end of this term many 
were anxious that he be re-elected, but he absolutely 
refused a third nomination. On the fourth of March, 
1797, at the expiraton of his second term as Presi- 
dent, he returned to his home, hoping to pass there 
his few remaining years free from the annoyances of 
public life. Later in the year, however, his repose 
seemed likely to be interrupted by war with France 
At the prospect of such a war he was again urged to 
take command of the armies. He chose his sub- 
ordinate officers and left to them the charge of mat- 
ters in the field, which he superintended from his 
home. In accepting the command he made the 
reservation that he was not to be in the field until 
it was necessary. In the midst of these preparations 
his life was suddenly cut off. December 12, he took 
a severe cold from a ride in the rain, which, settling 
in Ivs throat, produced inflammation, and terminated 
fatally on the night of tlie fourteenth. On the eigh- 
teenth his body was borne wi'h military honors to its 
final resting place, and interred in the family vault at 
Mount Vernon. 

Of the character of Washington it is impossible to 
speak but in terms of the highest respect and ad- 
miration. The more we see of the operations of 
our government, and the more deeply we feel the 
difficulty of uniting all opinions in a common interest, 
the more highly we must estimate the force of his tal- 
ent and character, which have be'^n able to challenge 
the reverence of all parties, and principles, and na- 
tions, and to win a fame as extended as the limits 
of the globe, and which we cannot but believe will 
be as lasting as the existence of man. 

The person of Washington was unusally tan, erect 
and well proportioned. His muscular strength was 
great. His features were of a beautiful symmetry. 
He commanded respect without any appearance o* 
haughtiness, and ever serious without t^ing dull. 




^^^7%?^%^ 



SECOND PRESIDENT. 








— ISC*"**" ~ "■ "•""" ~ ~ ^^-^ 




OHN ADAMS, the second 
President and the first Vice- 
* President of the United States, 
was born in Braintree ( now 
Quincy),Mass., and about ten 
— miles from Boston, Oct. 19, 
1735 His great-grandfather, Henry 
Adams, emigrated from England 
about 1 640, with a family of eight 
'\' sons, and settled at Braintree. The 
parents of John were John and 
Susannah (Boylston) Adams. His 
father was a farmer of limited 
means, to which he added the bus- 
iness of shoemaking. He gave his 
eldest son, John, a classical educa- 
tion at Harvard College. John 
graduated in 1755, and at once took charge of the 
school in Worcester, Mass. This he found but a 
'scJMol of affliction," from which he endeavored to 
gain relief by devoting himself, in addition, to the 
study of law. For this purpose he placed himself 
under the tuition of the only lawyer in the town. He 
had thought seriously of the clerical profession 
hut seems to have been turned from this by what he 
termed " the frightful engines of ecclesiastical coun- 
jils, cf diabolical malice, and Calvanistic good nature,'' 
of the operations of which he had been a witness in 
liis native town. He was well fitted for the legal 
profession, possessing a clear, sonorous voice, being 
ready and fluenc of speech, and having quick percep- 
tive lowers. He gradually gained practice, and in 
1764 married Abigail Smith, a daughter of a minister, 
and a lady of superior intelligence. Shortly after his 
marriage, (i7''5), the attempt of Parliamentary taxa- 
tion turned him from law to politics. He took initial 
steps toward holdin J, a town meeting, and the resolu- 



>^ 



tions he offered on the subject became very ix)pulai 
throughout the Province, and were adopted word for 
word by over forty different towns. He moved to Bos- 
ton in 1768, and becairie one of the most courageous 
and prominent advocates of the popular cause, and 
was chosen a member of the General Court (the Leg- 
lislature) in 1770. 

Mr. Adams was chosen one of the first delegate.^ 
from Massachusetts to the first Continental Congress, 
which met in 1774. Here he distinguished himsell 
by his capacity for business and for debate, and ad- 
vocated the movement for independence against t'lT; 
majority of the members. In May, 1776, he moved, 
and carried a resolution in Congress that the Colonies 
should assume the duties of self-government. Ho 
was a prominent member of the committee of iive 
appointed June 11, to prepare a declaration of inde- 
pendence. This article was drawn by Jefferson, but 
on Adams devolved the task of battling it through 
Congress in a three days debate. 

On the day after the Declaration of Independence 
was passed, while his soul was yet warm with the 
glow of excited feeling, he wrote a letter to his wife 
which, as we read it now, seems to have been dictated 
by the spirit of prophecy. " Yesterday," he says, " the 
greatest question was decided that ever was debated 
in America; and greater, perhaps, never was or wil 
be decided among men. A resolution was passed 
without one dissenting colony, ' that these United 
States are, and of right ought to be, free and inde- 
pendent states.' The day is passed. The fourth of 
July, 1776, will be a memorable epoch in the history 
of America. I am apt to believe it will be celebrated 
by succeeding generations, as the great anniversarw 
festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day od 
deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to Almighty 
God. It ought to be solemnized with ix)mp, shows- 



JOHN ADAMS. 



games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations 
from one end of the continent to the other, from this 
time forward for ever. You will think me transported 
with enthusiasm, but I am not. I am well aware of 
the toil, and blood and treasure, that it will cost to 
maintain this declaration, and support and defend 
these States; yet, through all the gloom, I can seethe 
rays of light and glory. I can see that the end is 
worth more than all the means; and that [X)sterity 
will triumph, although you and I may rue, which I 
hope we shall not." 

In November, 1777, Mr. Adams was appointed a 
delegate to France and to co-operate with Bemjamin 
Franklin and Arthur Lee, who were then in Paris, in 
the endeavor to obtain assistance in arms and money 
from the French Government. This was a severe trial 
to his patriotism, as it separated him from his home, 
compelled him to cross the ocean in winter, and ex- 
posed him to great peril of capture by the British cruis- 
ers, who were seeking him. He left France June 17, 
1779. In September of the same year he was again 
cliosen to go to Paris, and there hold himself in readi- 
ness to negotiate a treaty of peace and of commerce 
with Great Britian, as soon as the British Cabinet 
might be found willing to listen to such proposels. He 
sailed for France in November, from there he went to 
Holland, where he negotiated imiiortaut loans and 
formed important commercial treaties 

Finally a treaty of peace with England was signed 
Jan. 21, 1783. The re-action from the excitement, 
toil and an.xiety through which Mr. Adams had passed 
threw him into a fever. After suffering from a con- 
tinued fever and becoming feeble and emaciated he 
was advised to goto England to drink the waters of 
Bath. "While in England, still drooping and desix)nd- 
ing, he received dispatches from his own government 
urging the necessity of his going to Amsterdam to 
negotiate another loan. It was winter, his health was 
delicate, yet he immediately set out, and through 
storm, on sea, on horseback and foot, he made the trip. 

February 24, 1785, Congress appointed Mr. Adams 
envoy to the Court of St. James. Here he met face 
to face the King of England, who had so long re- 
garded him as a traitor. As England did not 
condescend to appoint a minister to the United 
States, and as Mr. Adams felt that he was accom- 
plishing but little, he sought permission to return to 
fiis own country, where he arrived in June, 1788. 

When Washington was first chosen President, John 
Adams, rendered illustiious by his signal services at 
home and abroad, was chosen Vice President. Again 
at the second election of Washington as President, 
Adams was chosen Vice President. In 1796, Wash- 
ington retired from public life, and Mr. Adams was 
elected President,though not without much opposition. 
.Serving in this office four years,he was succeeded by 
Mr. Jefferson, his opponent in politics. 

TVTiile Mr. Adams was Vice President the great 



French Revolution shook the continent of Euro|ie, 
and it was upon this point which he was atissu.-wuh 
the majority of his countrymen led by Mr. Jefferson. 
Mr. Adams felt no sympathy with the French peo)>le 
in their struggle, for he had no confidence in their 
power of self-government, and he utterly abhored tht 
classof atheist philosophers who he claimed caused it. 
On the other hand Jefferson's sympathies were strongly 
enlisted in behalf of the French peoule. Hence or 
iginated the alienation between these distinguished 
men, and two pwwerful parties were thus soon organ- 
ized, Adams at the head of the one whose sympathies 
were with England and Jefferson led the other in 
sympathy with France. 

The world has seldom seen a spectacle of more 
moral beauty and grandeur, than was presented by the 
old age of Mr, Adams. The violence of party feeling 
had died away, and he had begun to receive that just 
appreciation which, to most men, is not accorded till 
after death. No one could look upon his venerable 
form, and think of what he had done and suffered, 
and how he had given up all the prime and strenc,th 
of his life to the public good, without the deepest 
emotion of gratitude and respect. It was his peculiar 
good fortune to witness the complete success of the 
institution which he had been so active in creating and 
supixjrting. In 1824, his cup of happiness was filled 
to the brim, by seeing his son elevated to the highest 
station in the gift of the people. 

The fourth of July, 1826, which completed the hali 
century since the signing of the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence, arrived, and there were but three of the 
signers of that immortal instrument left upon the 
earth to hail its morning light. And, as it is 
well known, on that day two of these finished their 
earthly pilgrimage, a coincidence so remarkable as 
to seem miraculous. For a few days before Mr. 
Adams had been rapidly faili'ig, and on the morning 
of the fourth he found himself too weak to rise from 
his bed. On being requested to name a toast for the 
customary celebration of the day, he exclaimed " In- 
dependence FOREVER." When the day was ushered 
in, by the ringing of bells and the firing of cannons, 
he was asked by one of his ;:ttendants if he knew 
what day it was? He replied, "O yes ; it is the glor- 
ious fourth of July — God bless it — God bless you all." 
In the course of the day he said, "It is a great and 
glorious day." The last words he uttered were, 
"Jefferson survives." But he had, at one o'clock, re- 
signed his spiiit into the hands of his God. 

The personal appearance and manners of Mr. 
Adams were not particularly prepossessing. His face, 
as his portrait manifests.was intellectual ard expires 
sive, but his figure was low and ungraceful, and h'S 
manners were frequently abrupt and uncourteous. 
He had neither the lofty dignity of Washington, nor 
the engaging elegance and gracefulness which marked 
the manners and address of Tefferson, 




,-t. 



2>'%^^- Z 



THIRD PRESIDENT. 









^3 HOMAS JEFFERSON was 
born April 2, 1743, at Shad- 
i|ywell, Albermarle county, Va. 
His parents were Peter and 
ne ( Randolph) Jefferson, 
the former a native of Wales, 
and the latter born in Lon- 
don. To them were born six 
daughters and two sons, of 
whom Thomas was the elder. 
When 14 years of age his 
father died. He received a 
most liberal education, hav- 
ing been kept diligently at school 
from the time he was five years of 
age. In 1760 he entered William 
end Mary College. Williamsburg was then the seat 
of the Colonial Court, and it was the obode of fashion 
and splendor. Young Jefferson, who was then 17 
years old, lived somewhat expensively, keeping fine 
horses, and much caressed by gay society, yet he 
was earnestly devoted to his studies, and irreproacha- 
able in his morals. It is strange, however, under 
such influences,that he was not ruined. In the sec- 
ond year of his college course, moved by some un- 
explained inward impulse, he discarded his horses, 
society, and even his favorite violin, to which he had 
previously given much time. He often devoted fifteen 
hours a day to hard study, allowing himself for ex- 
ercise only a run in the evening twilight of a mile out 
of the city and back again. He thus attained very 
high intellectual culture, alike excellence in philoso- 
phy and the languages. Tlie most difficult Latin and 
Greek authors he read with facility. A more finished 
scholar has seldom gone forth from college halls; and 



there was not to be found, perhaps, in all Virginia, x 
more pureminded, upright, gentlemanly young man. 

Immediately upon leaving college he began the 
study of law. For the short time he continued in the 
practice of his profession he rose rapidly and distin- 
guished himself by his energy and accuteness as a 
lawyer. But the times called for greater action. 
The policy of England had awakened the spirit of 
resistance of the American Colonies, and the enlarged 
views which Jefferson had ever entertained, soon led 
him into active political life. In 1769 he was chosen 
a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses In 
1772 he married Mrs. Martha Skelton, a very beauti- 
ful, wealthy and highly accomplished young widow 

Upon Mr. Jefferson's large estate at Shadwell, there 
was a majestic swell of land, called Monticello, which 
commanded a prospect of wonderful extent and 
beauty. This spot Mr. Jefferson selected for his new 
home; and here he reared a mansion of modest yet 
elegant architecture, which, next to Mount Vernon 
became the most distinguished resort in our land. 

In 1775 he was sent to the Colonial Congress. 
where, though a silent meinber, his abilities as a 
writer and a reasoner soon become known, and he 
was placed upon a number of important committees; 
and was chairman of the one appointed for the draw- 
ing up of a declaration of independence. This com- 
mittee consisted of Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, 
Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman and Robert R. 
Livingston. Jefferson, as chairman, was apiwinted 
to draw up the paper. Franklin and Adams suggested 
a few verbal changes before it was submitted to Con- 
gress. On June 28, a few slight changes were made 
in it by Congress, and it was passed and signed July 
4, 1776, What must have been the feelings of that 



28 



THOMAS JEFFERSON. 



man — what the emotions that swelled his breast — 
who was charged with the preparation of that Dec- 
laration, which, while it made known the wrongs of 
America, was also to publish her to the world, free, 
soverign and independent. It is one of the most re- 
markable papers ever written ; and did no other effort 
of the mind of its author exist, that alone would be 
sufficient to stamp his name with immortality. 

In 1779 Mr. Jefferson was elected successor to 
Patrick Henry, as Governor of Virginia. At one time 
theBritisli officer, Tarleton, sent a secret expedition to 
Monticello, to capture the Governor. Scarcely five 
minutes elapsed after the hurried escape of Mr. Jef- 
ferson and his family, ere his mansion was in posses- 
sion of the British troops. His wife's health, never 
very good, was much injured by this excitement, and 
in the summer of 1782 she died. 

Mr. Jefferson was elected to Congress in 1783. 
Two years later he was appointed Minister Plenipo- 
tentiary to France. Returning to the United States 
in September, 1789, he became Secretary of State 
in Washington's cabinet. This position he resigned 
Jan. I, 1794. In 1797, he was chosen Vice Presi- 
dent, and four years later was elected President over 
Mr. Adams, with Aaron Burr as Vice President. In 
1804 he was re-elected with wonderful unanimity, 
and George Clinton, Vice President. 

The early part of Mr. Jefferson's second adminstra- 
tion was disturbed by an event which threatened the 
tranquility and peace of the Union; this was the con- 
spiracy of Aaron Burr. Defeated in the late election 
to the Vice Presidency, and led on by an unprincipled 
ambition, this extraordinary man formed the plan of a 
military expedition into the Spanish territories on our 
southwestern frontier, for the purpose of forming there 
a. new republic. This has been generally supposed 
was a mere pretext ; and although it has not been 
generally known what his real plans were, there is no 
doubt that they were of a far more dangerous 
character. 

In 1809, at the expiration of the second term for 
which Mr. Jefferson had been elected, he determined 
to retire from political life. For a period of nearly 
.Drty years, he had been continually before the pub- 
.ic, and all that time had been employed in offices of 
the greatest trust and responsibility. Having thus de- 
voted the best part of his life to the service of his 
country, he now felt desirous of that rest which his 
declining years required, and upon the organization of 
the new administration, in March, 1809, he bid fare- 
well forever to public life, and retired to Monticello. 

Mr. Jefferson was profuse in his hospitality. Whole 
families came in their coaches with their horses, — 
fathers and mothers, boys and girls, babies and 
nurses, — and remained three and even six months. 
Life at Monticello, for years, resembled that at a 
fashionable watering-place. 

The fourth of July, 1826, being the fiftieth anniver- 1 



sary of the Declaration of American Independence, 
great preparations were made in every part of the 
Union for its celebration, as the nation's jubilee, and 
the citizens of Washington, to add to the solemnity 
of the occasion, invited Mr. Jefferson, as the framer. 
and one of the few surviving signers of the Declara- 
tion, to participate in their testivities. But an ill- 
ness, which had been of several weeks duration, and 
had been continually increasing, compelled him to 
decline the invitation. 

On the second of July, the disease under which 
he was laboring left him, but in such a reduced 
state that his medical attendants, entertained no 
hope of his recovery. From this time he was perfectly 
sensible that his last hour was at hand. On the next 
d:iy, which was Monday, he asked of those around 
him, the day of the month, and on being told it was 
the third of July, he expressed the earnest wish tha': 
he might be permitted to breathe the air of the fiftieth 
anniversary. His prayer was heard — that day, whose 
dawn was hailed with such rapture through our land, 
burst upon his eyes, and then they were closed for- 
ever. And what a noble consummation of a noble 
life! To die on that day, — the birthday of a nation,- - 
the day which his own name and his own act had 
rendered glorious; to die amidst the rejoicings and 
festivities of a whole nation, who looked up to him, 
as the author, under God, of their greatest blessings, 
was all that was wanting to fill up the record his life. 

Almost at the same hour of his death, the kin- 
dred spirit of the venerable Adams, as if to bear 
him company, left the scene of his earthly honors. 
Hand in hand they had stood forth, the champions of 
freedom ; hand in hand, during the dark and desper- 
ate struggle of the Revolution, they had cheered and 
animated their desponding countrymen; for half a 
century they had labored together for tlie good of 
the country; and now hand in hand they depart. 
In their lives they had been united in the same great 
cause of liberty, and in their deaths they were not 
divided. 

In person Mr. Jefferson was tall and thin, rather 
above six feet in height, but well formed; his eyes 
were light, his hair originally red, in after life became 
white and silvery; his complexion was fair, his fore- 
head broad, and his whole courtenance intelligent and 
thoughtful. He possessed great fortitude of mind as 
well as personal courage ; and ;.:s command of tem- 
per was such that his oldest and most intimate friends 
never recollected to have seen him in a passion. 
His manners, though dignified, were simple and un- 
affected, and his hospitality was so unbounded that 
all found at his house a ready welcome. In conver- 
sation he was fluent, eloquent and enthusiastic ; and 
his language was remarkably pure and correct. He 
was a finished classical scholar, and in his writings is 
discernable the care with which he formed his style 
upon the best models of antiquity. 




J (ZA^ ' ■ -^^ 



lt'~^<'t'1 c 



FOURTH PRESIDENT. 



31 



iwm> n]^Disoi). 






AMES MADISON, "Father 
of the Constitution," and fourth 
President of the United States, 
was born March 16, 1757, and 
died at his home in Virginia, 
June 28, 1836. The name of 
James Madison is inseparably con- 
nected with most of the important 
events in that heroic period of our 
country during which the founda- 
tions of this great republic were 
laid. He was the last of the founders 
of the Constitution of the United 
States to 1)6 called to his • eternal 
reward. 

The Madison family were among 
the early emigrants to the New World, 
landing upon the shores of the Chesa- 
peake but 15 years after the settle- 
ment of Jamestown. The father of 
James Madison was an opulent 
planter, residing upon a very fine es- 
tate called "Montpelier," Orange Co., 
Va. The mansion was situated in 
the midst of scenery highly pictur- 
esque and romantic, on the west side 
of South-west Mountain, at the foot of 
Blue Ridge. It was but 25 miles from the home of 
Jefferson at Monticello. The closest personal and 
political attachment existed between these illustrious 
men, from their early youth until death. 

The early education of Mr. Madison was conducted 
mostly at home under a private tutor. At the age of 
18 he was sent to Princeton College, in New Jersey. 
Here he applied himself to study with the most im- 



prudent zeal; allowing himself, for months, but three 
hours' sleep out of the 24. His health thus became so 
seriously impaired that he never recovered any vigor 
of constitution. He graduated in 1771, with a feeble 
body, with a character of utmost purity, and with a 
mind highly disciplined and richly stored with learning 
which embellished and gave proficiency to his subsf ' 
quent career. 

Returning to Virginia, he commenced the study of 
law and a course of extensive and systematic reading. 
This educational course, the spirit of the times in 
which he lived, and the society with which he asso- 
ciated, all combined to inspire him with a strong 
love of liberty, and to train him for his life-work ot 
a statesman. Being naturally of a religious turn of 
mind, and his frail health leading him to think that 
his life was not to be long, he directed especial atten- 
tion to theological studies. Endowed with a mind 
singularly free from passion and prejudice, and with 
almost unequalled powers of reasoning, he weighed 
all the arguments for and against revealed religion, 
until his faith became so established as never to 
be shaken. 

In the spring of 1776, when 26 years of age, he 
was elected a member of the Virginia Convention, to 
frame the constitution of the State. The next year 
(1777), he was a candidate for the General Assembly. 
He refused to treat the whisky-lovir.g voters, and 
consequently lost his election ; But those wlio had 
witnessed the talent, energy and public spirit of the 
modest young man, enlisted themselves in his behalf, 
and he was appointed to the E.veculive Council. 

Both Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson were 
Governors of Virginia while Mr. Madison remained 
member of the Council ; and their appreciation of his 



32 



JAMES MADISON. 



intellectual, social and moral worth, contributed not 
a little to his subsequent eminence. In the year 
1780, he was elected a member of the Continental 
Congress. Here he met the most illustrious men in 
our land, and he was immediately assigned to one of 
the most conspicuous positions among them. 

For three years Mr. Madison continued in Con- 
gress, one of its most active and influential members. 
In the year 1784, his term having expired, he was 
elected a member of the Virginia Legislature. 

No man felt more deeply than Mr. Madison the 
utter inefficiency of the old confederacy, with no na- 
tional government, with no power to form treaties 
which would be binding, or to enforce law. There 
was not any .State more prominent than Virginia in 
the declaration, that an efficient national government 
must be formed. In January', 1786, Mr. Madison 
carried a resolution through the General Assembly of 
Virginia, inviting the other States to appoint commis- 
sioners to meet in convention at Annapolis to discuss 
this subject. Five States only were represented. The 
convention, however, issued another call, drawn up 
by Mr. Madison, urging all the States to send their 
delegates to Philadelphia, in May, 1787, to draft 
a Constitution for the United States, to take the place 
of that Confederate League. The delegates met at 
the time appointed. Every State but Rliode Island 
Tas represented. George Washington was chosen 
president of the convention ; and the present Consti- 
tution of the United States was then and there formed. 
There was, perhaps, no mind and no pen more ac- 
tive in framing this immortal document than the mind 
and the pen of James Madison. 

The Constitution, adopted by a vote 81 to 79, was 
to be presented to the several States for acceptance. 
But grave solicitude was felt. Should it be rejected 
we should be left but a conglomeration of independent 
States, with but little power at home and little respect 
abroad. Mr. Madison was selected by the conven- 
tion to draw up an address to the people of the United 
States, expounding the principles of the Constitution, 
and urging its adoption. There was great opposition 
to it at first, but it at length triumphed over all, and 
went into effect in 1789. 

Mr. Madison was elected to the House of Repre- 
eentatives in the first Congress, and soon became the 
avowed leader of the Republican party. While in 
New York attending Congress, he met Mrs. Todd, a 
young widow of remarkable power of fascination, 
whom he married. She was in person and character 
queenly, and probably no lady has thus far occupied 
so prominent a position in the very peculiar society 
which has constituted our republican court as Mrs. 
Madison. 

Mr. Madison served as Secretary of State under 
Jefferson, and at the close of his administration 
was chosen President. At this time the encroach- 
ments of England had brought us to the verge of war. , 



British orders in council destioyed our commerce, and 
our flag was exposed to constant insult. Mr. Madison 
was a man of peace. Scholarly in his taste, retiring 
in his disposition, war had no charms for him. But the 
meekest spirit can be roused. It makes one's blood 
boil, even now, to think of an American ship brought 
to, upon the ocean, by the guns of an English cruiser. 
A young lieutenant steps on board and orders the 
crew to be paraded before him. With great nonchal- 
ance he selects any number whom he may please to 
designate as British subjects ; orders them down the 
ship's side into his boat; and places them on the gun- 
deck of his man-of-war, to fight, by compulsion, the 
battles of England. This right of search and im- 
pressment, no efforts of our Government could induce 
the British cabinet to relinquish. 

On the iSth of June, 1812, President Madison gave 
his appioval to an act of Congress declaring war 
against Great Britain. Notwithstanding the bitter 
hostility of the Federal party to the war, the country 
in general approved; and Mr. Madison, on the 4th 
of March, 1813, was re-elected by a large majority, 
and entered upon his second term of office. This is 
not the place to describe the various adventures of 
this war on the land and on the water. Our infan . 
navy then laid the foundations of its renown in grap- 
pling v.'ilh the most formidable power which ever 
swept the seas. The contest commenced in earnest 
by the appearance of a British fleet, early in February, 
18 13, in Chesapeake Bay, declaring nearly the whole 
coast of the United States under blockade. 

The Emperor of Russia offered his services as me 
ditator. America accepted ; England refused. A Brit- 
ish force of five thousand men landed on the banks 
of the Patuxet River, near its entrance into Chesa- 
peake Bay, and marched rapidly, by way of Bladens- 
burg, upon Washington. 

The straggling little city of Washington was thrown 
into consternation. The cannon of the brief conflict 
at Bladensburg echoed through the streets of the 
metropolis. The whole population fled from the city. 
The President, leaving Mrs. Madison in the White 
House, with her carriage drawn up at the doer to 
await his speedy return, hurried to meet the officers ^ 
in a council of war. He met our troops utterly routed, 
and he could not go back without clanger of being 
captured. But few hours elapsed ere the Presidentiaf 
Mansion, the Capitol, and all the public buildings in 
Washington were in flames. 

The war closed after two years of fighting, and on 
Feb. t3, 1 8 15, the treaty of peace was signed at Ghent. 

On the 4th of March, 1817, his second term of 
office expired, and he resigned the Presidential chair 
to his friend, James Monroe. He retired to his beau- 
tiful home at Montpelier, and there passed the re- 
mainder of his days. On June 28, 1836, then at the 
age of 85 years, he fell asleep in death. Mrs. Madi- 
son died July 12, 1849. 




^^.^/^^ 7 ^-^-i^^ ■'' ^ ^^^ 



FIFTH PRESIDENT. 



35 





AMES MONROE, the fifth 
. Presidentof The United States, 
was born in Westmoreland Co., 
Va., April 28, 1758. His early- 
life was passed at the place of 
nativity. His ancestors had for 
many years resided in the prov- 
ince in which he was born. When, 
at r; years of age, in the process 
of completing liis education at 
William and Mary College, the Co- 
lonial Congress assembled at Phila- 
delphia to deliberate upon the un- 
just and manifold oppressions of 
Great Britian, declared the separa- 
tion of the Colonies, and promul- 
gated the Declaration of Indepen- 
dence. Had he been born ten years before it is highly 
probable that he would have been one of the signers 
of that celebrated instrurnent. At this time he left 
school and enlisted among the patriots. 

He joined the army when everything looked hope- 
less and gloomy. The number of deserters increased 
from day to day. The invading armies came pouring 
in ; and the tories not only favored the cause of the 
mother country, but disheartened the new recruits, 
who were sufficiently terrified at the prospect of con- 
tending with an enemy whom they had been taught 
to deem invincible. To such brave spirits as James 
Monroe, who went right onward, undismayed through 
difficulty and danger, the United States owe their 
(jolitical emancipation. The young cadet joined the 
ranks, and espoused the cause of his injured country, 
with a firm determination to live o; iie with her strife 



for liberty. Firmly yet sadly he shared in the mel- 
ancholy retreat from Harleam Heights and White 
Plains, and accompanied the dispirited army as it fled 
before its foes through New Jersey. In four months 
after the Declaration of Independence, the patriots 
had been beaten in seven battles. At the battle of 
Trenton he led the vanguard, and, in the act of charg- 
ing upon the enemy he received a wound in the left 
shoulder. 

As a reward for his bravery, Mr. Monroe was pro- 
moted a captain of infantry; and, having recovered 
from his wound, he rejoined the army. He, however, 
receded from the line of ])romotion, by becoming an 
officer in the staff of Lord Sterling. During the cam- 
paigns of 1777 and 1778, in the actions of Brandy 
wine, Germantown and Monmouth, he continued 
aid-decamp; but becoming desirous to regain his 
position in che army, he exerted himself to collect a 
regiment for the Virginia line. This scheme failed 
owing to the exhausted condition of the State. Upon 
this failure he entered the office of Mr. Jefferson, at 
that peiiod Governor, and pursued, with considerable 
ardor, the study of common law. He did not, however, 
entirely lay aside the knapsack for the green bag; 
but on the invasions of the enemy, served as a volun 
teer, during the two years of his legal pursuits. 

In 17S2, he was elected from King George county, 
a member of the Leglislature of Virginia, and by thai 
body he was elevated to a seat in the Executive 
Council. He was thus honored with the confidence 
of his fellow citizens at 23 years of age ; and having 
at this early period displayed some of that ability 
and aptitude for legislation, which were afterwards 
employed with unremitting energy for the public good. 



36 



JAMES MONROE. 



he was in the succeeding year chosen a member of 
the Congress of the United States. 
Deeply as Mr. Monroe felt the imperfections of the old 
Confederacy, he was opposed to the new Constitution, 
ihinking, with many others of 'he Republican party, 
that it gave too much power to the Central Government, 
and not enough to the individual States. Still he re- 
tained the esteem of his friends who were its warm 
supporters, and who, notwithstanding his opposition 
secured its adoption. In 1789, he became a member 
of the United States Senate; which office he held for 
four years. Every month the line of distinction be- 
tween the two great parties which divided the nation, 
the Federal and the Republican, was growing more 
distinct. The two prominent iaeas which now sep- 
arated them were, that the Republican party was in 
sympathy with France, and also in favor of such a 
strict construction of the Constitution as to give the 
Central Government as little power, and the State 
Governments as much ixiwer, as the Constitution would 
warrant. The Federalists sympatiiized with England, 
and were in favor of a liberal construction of the Con- 
stitution, which would give as much power to the 
Central Government as that document could possibly 
authorize. 

The leading Federalists and Republicans were 
alike noble men, consecrating all their energies to the 
good of the nation. Two more honest men or more 
pure patriots than John Adams the Federalist, and 
James Monroe the Republican, never breathed. In 
building up this majestic nation, which is destined 
to eclipse all Grecian and Assyrian greatness, the com- 
bination of their antagonism was needed to create the 
light equilibrium. And yet each in his day was de- 
nounced as almost a demon. 

Washington was then President. England had es- 
poused the cause of the Bourbons against the princi- 
ples of the French Revolution. All Europe was drawn 
into the conflict. We were feeble and far away. 
Washington issued a proclamation of neutrality be- 
tween these contending powers. France had helped 
us in the struggle for our lil)erties. All the despotisms 
of Europe were now combined to prevent the French 
from escaping from a tyranny a thousand-fold worse 
than that which we had endured. Col. Monroe, more 
magnanimous than prudent, was anxious that, at 
whatever hazard, we should help our old allies in 
their extremity. It was the impulse of a generous 
and noble nature. He violently opposed the Pres- 
ident's proclamation as ungrateful and wanting in 
magnanimity. 

Washington, who could appreciate such a character, 
developed his calm, serene, almost divine greatness, 
by appointing that very James Monroe, who was de- 
nouncing the policy of the Government, as the minister 
of that Government to the Republic of France. Mr. 
Monroe was welcomed by the National Convention 
in France with the most enthusiastic demonstr/>-tions. 



Shortly after his return to this country, Mr. Mon- 
roe was elected Governor of Virginia, and held the 
office for three yeais. He was again sent to Prance to 
co-operate with Chancellor Livingston in obtaining 
the vast territory then known as the Province of 
Louisiana, which France had but shortly before ob- 
tained from Spain. Their united efforts were suc- 
cessful. For the comparatively small sum of fifteen 
millions of dollars, the entire territory of Orleans and 
district of Louisiana were added to the United States. 
This was probably the largest transfer of real estate 
which was ever made in all the history of the world. 

From France Mr. Monroe went to England to ob- 
tain from that country some recognition of oul 
rights as neutrals, and to remonstrate against those 
odious impressments of our seamen. But Eng- 
land was unrelenting. He agam returned to Eng- 
land on the same mission, but could receive no 
redress. He returned to his home and was again 
chosen Governor of Virginia. This he soon resigned 
to accept the position of Secretary of Stale unde 
Madison. While in this office war with England wa^ 
declared, the Secretary of War resigned, and during 
these trying times, the duties of the War Departmen: 
were also put upon him. He was truly the armor- 
bearer of President Madison, and the most efiicient 
business man in his cabinet. Upon the return oi 
peace he resigned the Department of War, but con- 
tinued in the office of Secretary of State until the ex- 
piration of Mr. Madison's adminstration. At the elec- 
tion held the previous autumn Mr. Monroe himself had 
been chosen President with but livtle opposition, and 
upon March 4, 1817, was inaugurated. Four years 
later he was elected for a second term. 

Among the important measures of his Presidency 
were the cession of Florida to the Lfnited States: the 
Missouri Compromise, and the " Monroe doctrine.' 

This famous doctrine, since known as the "Monroe 
doctrine," was enunciated by him in 1823. At that 
time the United States had recognized the independ- 
ence of the South American states, and did not \\ish 
to have European powers longer attempting to sub 
due portions of the American Continent. The doctrine 
is as follows: "That we should consider any attempt 
on the part of European powers to extend their sys- 
tem to any portion of this hemisphere as dangerous 
to our peace and safety," and "that we could no' 
view any interposition for the purpose of oppressing 
or controlling American governments or provinces in 
any otlier light than as a manifestation by Europear 
powers of an unfriendly disposition toward the LTnitec 
States." This doctrine immediately affected the course 
of foreign governments, and has become the approved 
sentiment of the LTnited States. 

At the end of his fecond term Mr Monroe retired 
to liis home in Virginia, where he lived until 1830 
when he went to New York to live with his son-in- 
law. In that city he died.on the 4th of July, 1831 




J , «^ , cMt i Ojlrrx^ 



SIXTH PRESIDRNT. 



39 





.:^=:=-i>:.^^;s«i^!g^ 








OHN QUINCY ADAMS, the 
sixth President of tlie United 
Mates, was born in the rural 
home of his honored father, 
Jolin Adams, in Qaincy, Mass., 
on the I ith cf July, 1767. His 
mother, a woman of exahed 
worth, watched over his childhood 
during the almost constant ab- 
sence of his father. When but 
eight years of age, he stood with 
his mother on an eminence, listen- 
ing to the booming of the great bat- 
tle on Bunker's Hill, and gazing on 
upon the smoke and flames billow- 
ing up from the conflagration of 
Charlestown. 

When but eleven years old he 
took a tearful adieu of his mother, 
to sail with his fatner for Europe, 
through a fleet ol hostile British cruisers. The bright, 
animated boy spent a year and a half in Paris, where 
his father was associated with Franklin and Lee as 
minister plenipotentiary. His intelligence attracted 
the notice of these distinguished men, and he received 
from them flattering marks of attention. 

Mr. John Adams had scarcely returned to this 
country, in 1779, ere he was again sent abroad. Again 
John Quincy accompanied his father. At Paris he 
applied himself with great diligence, for six months, 
to study; then accom pained his father to Holland, 
where he entered, first a school in Amsterdam, then 
the University at Leyden. About a year from this 
time, in 17 81, when the manly boy was but fourteen 
years of age, he was selected by Mr. Dana, our min- 
ister to the Russian court, as his private secretary. 

In this school of incessant labor and of enobling 
culture he spent fourteen months, and then returned 
to Holland through Sweden, Denmark, Hamburg and 
Bremen. This long journey he took alone, in the 
winter, when in his sixteenth year. Again he resumed 
ais studies, under a pn"ate tutor, at Hague. Thence, 



in the spring of 1782, he accompanied his father vr 
Paris, travehng leisurely, and forming acquaintanci 
with the most distinguished men on the Continent 
examining arcnitectural remains, galleries of paintings 
and all renowned works of art. At Paris he agair. 
became associated with the most illustrious men o( 
all lands in the contemplations of the loftiest temporal 
themes which can engross the human mind. Afte" 
a short visit to England he returned to Paris, and 
consecrated all his energies to study until May, 1785, 
when he returned to America. To a brilliant young 
man of eighteen, who had seen much of the world, 
and who was familiar wiiii the etiquette of courts, a 
residence with his father in London, under such cir- 
cumstances, must have been extremely attractive 
but with judgment very rare in one of his age, he pre- 
ferred to return to America to complete his education 
in an American college. He wished then to study 
law, that with an honorable profession, he might hp 
able to obtain an independent support. 

Upon leaving Harvard College, at theageof twentj- 
he studied law for thiee years. In June, 1794, be- 
ing then but tv/enty-seven years of age, he vvas ap- 
pointed by Washington, resident minister at the 
Netherlands. Sailing from Boston in July, he reached 
London in October, where he was immediately admit- 
ted to the deliberations of Messrs. Jay and Pinckney. 
assisting them in negotiating a commercial treaty with 
Great Brilian. After thus spending a fortnight i. 
London, he proceeded to the Hague. 

In July, 1797, he left the Hague to go to Portugal as 
minister plenipotentiary. On his way to Portugal 
upon arriving in London, he met with despatches 
directing him to the court of Beiiin, but requesting 
him to remain in London until he should receive his 
instructions. A\'hile waiting he was married to ar 
American lady to whom he had been previously en- 
gaged, — Miss Louisa Catherine Johnson, daughte! 
of Mr. Joshua Johnson, American consul in I ondon 
a lady endownd with that beauty and those accom. 
plishment which eminently fitted her to move in tUI 
elevated sphere for which she wns ^j«*'iced 



JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. 



He reached Berlin with his wife in November, 1797 ; 
where he remained until July, 1799, when, having ful- 
filled all the purposes of his mission, he solicited his 
recall. 

Soon after his return, in 1802, he was chosen to 
the Senate of Massachusetts, from Boston, and then 
was elected Senator of the United States for six years, 
from the 4th of March, 1804. His reputation, his 
ability and his experience, placed him immediately 
among the most prominent and influential members 
of that body. Especially did he sustain the Govern- 
ment in its measures of resistance to the encroach- 
ments of England, destroying our commerce and in- 
sulting our flag. There was no man in America more 
familiar with the arrogance of the British court upon 
these points, and no one more resolved to present 
a firm resistance. 

In 1809, Madison succeeded Jefferson in the Pres- 
idential chair, and he immediately nominated John 
Quincy Adams minister to St. Petersburg. Resign- 
ing his professorship in Harvard College, he embarked 
at Boston, in August, 1809. 

While in Russia, Mr. Adams was an intense stu- 
dent. He devoted his attention to the language and 
history of Russia; to the Chinese trade; to the 
European system of weights, measures, and coins ; to 
the climate and astronomical observations; while he 
Kept up a familiar acquaintance with the Greek and 
Latin classics. In all the universities of Euroiie, a 
more accomplished scholar could scarcely be found. 
All through life the Bible constituted an importart 
part of his studies. It was his rule to read five 
chapters every day. 

On the 4th of March, 1817, Mr. Monroe took the 
Presidential chair, and immediately ap[>ointed Mr. 
Adams Secretary of State. Taking leave of his num- 
erous friends in public and private life in Euroiie, he 
sailed in Jane, 1819, forthe United States. On the 
i8th of August, he again crossed the threshold of his 
home in Quincy. During the eight years of Mr. Mon- 
roe's administration, Mr Adams continued Secretary 
of State. 

Some time before ::he close of Mr. Monroe's second 
term of office, new candidates began to be presented 
for the Presidency. The friends of Mr. Adams brought 
forward his name. It was an exciting campaign. 
Party spirit was never more bitter. Two hundred and 
sixty electoral votes were cast. Andrew Jackson re- 
ceived ninety-nine; John Quincy Adams, eighty-four; 
William H. Crawford, forty -one; Henry Clay, thirty- 
seven. As there was no choice by the people, the 
question went to the House of Representatives. Mr. 
Clay gave the vote of Kentucky to Mr. Adams, and 
he was elected. 

The friends of all the disappointed candidates now 
;ombined in a venomous and persistent assault ujion 
Mr. Adams. There is nothing more disgraceful in 
•be past history of our country than the abuse which 



was poured in one uninterrupted stream, upon this 
high-minded, upright, patriotic man. There never was 
an administration more pure in principles, more con- 
scientiously devoted to the best interests of the coun- 
try, than tiiat of John Quincy Adams; and never, per- 
haps, was there an administration more unscrupu- 
lously and outrageously assailed. 

Mr Adams was, to a very remarkable degree, ab- 
stemious and temperate in his habits; always rising 
early, and taking much exercise. When at his homein 
Quincy, he has been known to walk, before breakfast, 
seven miles to Boston. In Washington, it was said 
that he was the first man up in the city, lighting his 
own fire and applying himself to work in his library 
often long before dawn. 

On the 4th of March, 1829, Mr. Adams retired 
from the Presidency, and was succeeded by Andrew- 
Jackson. John C. Calhoun was elected Vice Presi- 
dent. The slavery question now began to assume 
portentous magnitude. Mr. Adams returned to 
Quincy and to his studies, which he pursued with un- 
abated zeal. But he was not long permitted to re- 
main in retirement. In November, 1830, he was 
elected representative to Congress. For seventeen 
years, until his death, he occupied the post as repre- 
sentative, towering above all his peers, ever ready to 
do brave battle' for freedom, and winning the title of 
"the old man eloquent." Upon taking his seat in 
the House, he announced that he should hold him- 
self bound to no party. Probably there never was a 
member more devoted to his duties. He was usually 
the first in his place in the morning, and the last to 
leave his seat in the evening. Not a measure could 
be brought forward and escape his scrutiny. 1 he 
battle which Mr. Adams fought, almost singly, against 
ihe proslavery party in the Government, was sublime 
in Us moral daring and heroism. For persisting in 
presenting petitions for the abolition of slavery, he 
was threatened with indictment by the grand jury 
with expulsion from the House, with assassination 
but no threats could intimidate him, and his final 
triumph was comjjlete. 

It has been said of President Adams, that when his 
body was bent and his hair silvered by the lapse of 
fourscore years, yielding to the simple faith of a little 
child, he was accustomed to repeat every night, before 
he slept, the prajer which his mother taught him in 
his infant years. 

On the 2istof February, 1848, he rose on the floor 
of Congress, with a paper in his hand, to address the 
speaker. Suddenly he fell, again stricken by paraly- 
sis, and was caught in the arms of those around him. 
For a time he was senseless, as he was conveyed to 
the sofa in the rotunda. With reviving conscious- 
ness, he opened his eyes, looked calmly around ai.d 
said " This is the end of earth ;"tlien after a moment's 
pause he added, '' I am content" Tlie^e were the 
last words of the grand "Old Man Eloquent." 




/z 



la^^ 






gl^^^%x.^-z 



SEVENTH FRESinENT. 






mi 



-iPWi^ »»Tw^«-^-,S/3£)TTav- ailJSf» 




7 VDREW JACKSON, the 
t\enth President of the 
United States, was born in 
3 U ixhaw settlement, N. C, 
March 15, 1767, a few days 
after his father's death. His 
parents were poor emigrants 
from Ireland, and took up 
their abode in Waxhaw set- 
tlement, where they lived in 
deepest poverty 
Andrew, or Andy, as he was 
universally called, grew up a very 
rough, rude, turbulent boy. His 
features were coarse, his form un- 
gainly; and there was but very 
Httle m his character, made visible, which was at- 
tractive. 

When only thirteen years old he joined the volun- 
teers of Carolina against the British invasion. In 
17S1, he and his brother Robert were captured and 
imprisoned for a time at Camden. A British officer 
ordered him to brush his mud-spattered boots. " I am 
a prisoner of war, not your servant," was the reply of 
the dauntless boy. 

The brute drew his sword, and aimed a desperate 
olow at the head of the helpless young prisoner. 
Andrew raised his hand, and thus received two fear- 
ful gashes, — one on the hand and the other upon the 
head. The officer then turned to his brother Robert 
with the same demand. He also refused, and re- 
ceived a blow from the keen-edged sabre, which quite 
disabled him, and which probably soon after caused 
his death. They suffered much other ill-treatment, and 
were finally stricken with the small-pox. Their 
mother was successful u\ .(btaining their e.\change, 



and took her sick boys home. After a long illn s-> 
Andrew recovered, and the death of his mother ^oon 
left him entirely friendless. 

Andrew s.!pported himself in various ways, s i;l: as 
working at the saddler's trade, teaching school and 
clerking in a general store, until 1784, when he 
entered a law office at Salisbury, N. C. He, however, 
gave more attention to the wild amusements of thft 
times than to his studies. In 1788, he was appointed 
solicitor for the western district of North Carolina, oi 
which Tennessee was then a part. This involved 
many long and tedious journeys amid dangers of 
every kind, but Andrew Jackson never knew fear^ 
and the Indians had no desire to repeat a skirmisb^ 
witn the Sharp Knife. 

In 179 1, Mr. Jackson was married to a woman who 
supposed herself divorced from her former husband. 
Great was the surprise of both parties, two years later, 
to find that the conditions of the divorce had just been 
definitely settled by the first husband. The marriage 
ceremony was performed a second time, but the occur- 
rence was often used by his enemies to bring Mr. 
Jackson into disfavor. 

During these years he worked hard at his profes 
sion, and frequently had one or more duels on hand, 
one of which, when he killed Dickenson, was espec- 
ially disgraceful. 

In January, 1796, the Territory of Tennessee then 
containing nearly eighty thousand inhabitants, the 
people met in convention at Knoxville to frame a con- 
stitution. Five were sent from each of the elev'u 
counties. Andrew Jackson was one of the deiegares. 
The new State was entitled to but one member ia 
the National House of Representatives. Andre>v Jacli- 
son was chosen that member. Mounting his horse he 
rode to Philedelphia, where Congress then held its 



ANDRE W JACKSON. 



sessions, — a distance of about eight hundred miles. 

Jackson was an earnest advocate of the Demo- 
cratic party. Jefferson was his idol. He admired 
Bonaparte, loved France and hated England. As Mr. 
Jackson took his seat. Gin. Washington, whose- 
second term of office was then e.xpiring, delivered his 
last speech to Congress. A committee drew up a 
com[)limentary address in reply. Andrew Jackson 
did not approve of the address, and was one of the 
twelve who voted against it. He was not willing to 
say that Gen. Washington's adminstration had been 
'' wise, firm and patriotic." 

Mr. Jackson was elected to the United States 
Senate in 1797, but soon resigned and returned home. 
Soon after he was chosen Judge of the Supreme Court 
of his State, which position he held for six years. 

When the war of 181 2 with Great Britian com- 
menced, Madison occupied the Presidential chair. 
Aaron Burr sent word to the President that there was 
an unknown man in the West, Andrew Jackson, who 
would do credit to a commission if one were con- 
ferred ujxjn him. Just at that time Gen. Jackson 
jffeied his services and those of twenty-five hundred 
volunteers. His offer was accepted, and the troops 
were assembled at Nashville. 

As the British were hourly expected to make an at- 
tack upon New Orleans, where Gen. Wilkinson was 
in command, he was ordered to descend the river 
■with fifteen hundred troops to aid Wilkinson. The 
Expedition reached Natchez; and after a delay of sev 
eral weeks there, without accomplishing anything, 
the men were ordered back to their homes. But the 
energy Gen. Jackson had displayed, and his entire 
devotion to the comrfort of his soldiers, won him 
golden opinions; and he became the most popular 
man in the State. It was in this expedition that his 
toughness gave him the nickname of " Old Hickory." 

Soon after this, while attempting to horsewhip Col. 
Thomas H. Benton, for a remark that gentleman 
made about his taking a part as second in a duel, in 
which a younger brother of Benton's was engaged, 
he received two severe pistol wounds. While he was 
lingering upon a bed of suffering news came that the 
Indians, who had combined under Tecumseh from 
Florida to the Lakes, to exterminate the white set- 
ters, were committing the most awful ravages. De- 
cisive action became necessary. Gen. Jackson, with 
his fractured bone just beginning to heal, his arm in 
a sling, and unable to mount his horse without assis- 
(ance, gave his amazing energies to the raising of an 
army to rendezvous at Fayettesville, Alabama. 

The Creek Indians had established a strong fort on 
one of the liendsof theTallauoosa River, near the cen- 
ter of Alabama, about fifty miles below Fort Strother. 
With an army of two thousand men. Gen. Jackson 
traversed the pathless wilderness in a march of eleven 
days. He reached their fort, called Tohopeka or 
Horse-shoe, on the 27th of March. 1814. The bend 



of the river enclosed nearly one hundred acres of 
tangled forest and wild ravine. Across the narrow 
neck the Indians had constructed a formidable breast- 
work of logs and brush. Here nine hundred warriors, 
with an ample suply of arras were assembled. 

The fort was stormed. The fight was utterly des- 
perate. Not an Indian would accept of quarter. When 
bleeding and dying, they would fight those who en- 
deavored to spare their lives. From ten in the morn- 
ing until dark, the battle raged. The carnage was 
awful and revolting. Some threw themselves into the 
river; but the unerring bullet struck their heads as 
they swam. Nearly everyone of the nine hundred war- 
rios were killed A few probably, in the night, swam 
the river and escaped. This ended the war. The 
power of the Creeks was broken forever. This bold 
plunge into the wilderness, with its terriffic slaughter, 
so appalled the savages, that the haggard remnants 
of the bands came to the camp, begging for peace. 

This closing of the Creek war enabled us to con- 
centrate all our militia upon the British, who were the 
allies of the Indians No man of less resolute will 
than Gen. Jackson could have conducted this Indian 
campaign to so successful an issue Immediately he 
was appointed major-general. 

Late in August, with an army of two thousand 
men, on a rushing march, Gen. Jackson came to 
Mobile. A British fleet came from Pensacola, landed 
a force upon the beach, anchored near the little fort, 
and from both ship and shore commenced a furious 
assault The battle was long and doubtful. At length 
one of the ships was blown up and the rest retired. 

Garrisoning Mobile, where he had taken his little 
army, he moved his troops to New Orleans, 
And the battle of New Orleans which soon ensued, 
was in reality a very arduous campaign. This won 
for Gen. Jackson an imperishable name. Here his 
troops, which numbered about four thousand men, 
won a signal victory over the British army of about 
nine thousand. His loss was but thineen, while the 
loss of the British was two thousand six hundred. 

The name of Gen. Jackson soon began to be men- 
tioned in connection with the Presidency, but, in 1824, 
he was defeated by Mr. Adams. He was, however, 
successful in the election of 1828, and was re-elected 
for a second term in 3832. In 1829, just before he 
assumed the reins of the government, he met with 
the most terrible affliction of his life in the death of 
his wife, whom he had loved with a devotion which has 
perhaps never been surpassed. From the shock of 
her death he never recovered. 

His administration was one of the most memorable 
in the annals of our country; applauded, oy one party, 
condemned by the other. No man had more bitter 
enemies or warmer friends. At the expiration of his 
two terms of office he retired to the Hermitage, where 
he died June 8, 1845. The last years of Mr. Jack- 
son's life were that of a devoted Christian man. 




/' 7 ^^^v ^^y7, 



EIGHTH PRESIDENT. 









ARTIN VAN BUREN, the 
eighth President of the 
United States, was born at 
Kinderhook, N. Y., Dec. 5, 
1782. He died at the same 
)lace, July 24, 1862. His 
Ijody rests in the cemetery 
at Kinderhook. Above it is 
I plain granite shaft fifteen feet 
high, bearing a simple inscription 
about hall way up on one face. 
The lot is unfenced, unbordered 
or unbounded by shrub or flower. 

There '». uut little in the life of Martin Van Buren 
of romant 'c interest. He fought no battles, engaged 
in no wild adventures. Though his life was stormy in 
political and intellectual conflicts, and he gained many 
signal victories, his days passed uneventful in those 
incidents which give zest to biography. His an- 
cestors, as his name indicates, were of Dutch origin, 
and were among the earliest emigrants from Holland 
to the banks of the Hudson. His father was a farmer, 
residing in the old town of Kinderhook. His mother, 
also of Dutch lineage, was a woman of superior intel- 
ligence and e.\emplary piety. 

Ai was decidedly a precocious boy, developing un- 
usual activity, vigor and strength of mind. At the 
age of fourteen, he had finished his academic studies 
in his native village, and commenced the study of 
law. As he had not a collegiate education, seven 
years of study in a law-office were required of him 
«>efore he could be admitted to the bar. Inspired with 
J. lofty ambition, and conscious of his powers, he pur- 
sued his studies with indefatig.Tble industry. After 
spending six years in an office in his native village, 



he went to the city of Mew York, and prosecuted his 
studies for the seventh year. 

In 1803, Mr. Van Buren, then twenty-one years of 
age, commenced the practice of law in his native vil- 
lage. The great conflict between the Federal and 
Republican party was then at its height. Mr. Van 
Buren was from the beginning a politician. He had, 
perhaps, imbibed that spirit while listenJiig to the 
many discussions which had been carried on in his 
father's hotel. He was in cordial sympathy with 
Jefferson, and earnestly and eloquently espoused the 
cause of State Rights ; though at that time the Fed- 
eral ])arty held the supremacy both in his town 
and State. 

His success and increasing ruputation led him 
after six years of practice, to remove to Hudson, tli. 
county seat of his county. Here he spent seven years 
constantly gaining strength by contending in thfe 
courts with some of the ablest men who have adorned 
the bar of his State. 

Just before leaving Kinderhook for Hudson, \!i. 
Van Buren married a lady alike distinguished for 
beauty and accomplishments. After twelve short 
years she sank into the grave, the victim of consunqj- 
tion, leaving her husband and four sons to weep ovei 
her loss. For twenty-five years, Mr. Van Buren way 
an earnest, successful, assiduous lawyer. The record 
of those years is barren in items of public interest. 
In T 81 2, when thirty years of age, he was chosen to 
the State Senate, a'nd gave his strenuous sup|X)rt to 
Mr. Madison's adminstration. In 1815, he was ap- 
pointed Attorney-General, and the next year moved 
to Albany, the capital of the State. 

While he was acknovv'ledged as one of the most 
prominent leaders of the Democratic party, he had 



48 



MARTJN VAN BUREN. 



the moral courage to avow that true democracy did 
not require that '" universal suffrage" which admits 
the vile, the degraded, the ignorant, to the right of 
governing the State. In true consistency with his 
democratic principles, he contended that, while the 
path leading to the privilege of voting should be open 
to every man without distinction, no one should be 
invested with that sacred prerogative, unless he were 
in some degree qualified for it Ijy intelligence, virtue 
and some property interests in the welfare of the 
State. 

In 182 1 he was elected :. member of the United 
States Senate; and in the same year, he took a seat 
in the convention to revise the constitution of his 
native State. His course in this convention secured 
the approval of men of all parties. No one could 
doubt the singleness of his endeavors to promote the 
interests of all classes in the community. In the 
Senate of the United States, he rose at once to a 
conspicuous position as an active and useful legislator. 

In 1827, John Quincy Adams beirg then in the 
^residential chair, Mr. Van Buren was re-elected to 
.he Senate. He had been from the beginning a de- 
•ermined opposer of the Administration, adopting the 
■'State Rights " view in opposition to what was 
deemed the Federal proclivities of Mr. Adams. 

Soon after this, in 1828, he vvas chosen Governorof 
the State of New York, and accordingly resigned his 
•seat in the Senate. Probably no one in the United 
States contributed so much towards ejecting John Q. 
^dams from the Presidential chair, and placing in it 
Andrew Jackson, as did Martin Van Buren. Whether 
entitled to the reputation or not, he certainly was re- 
garded throughout the United States as one of the 
most skillful, sagacious and cunning of politicians 
It was supposed that no one knew so well as he how 
to touch the secret spiings of action; how to pull all 
;he wires to put his machinery in motion; and how to 
organize a political army wliich would, secredy and 
jte.-'Uhily accomplish the most gigantic results. By 
these powers it is said that he outv/itted Mr. Adams, 
Mr. Clay, Mr. Webster, and secured results which 
tew thought then could be accomplished. 

When Andrew Jackson was elected Pres-ident he 
apjxjinted Mr. Van Buren Secretary of State. This 
position he resigned in 1831, and was immediately 
appointed Minister to England, where he went the 
same autumn. The Senate, however, when it met, 
refused to ratify the nomination, and he returned 



home, apparently untroubled; was nominated Vice 
President in the place of Calhoun, at the re-election 
of President Jackson; and with smiles for all and 
fiowns for none, he took his place at the head of tliai 
Senate which had refused to confirm his nomination 
as ambassador. 

H;s rejection by the Senate roused all the zeal of 
President Jackson in behalf of his repudiated favor- 
ite; and this, probably more than any other cause, 
secured his elevation to the chair of the Chief E::ecu 
tive. On the 20th of May, 1836, Mr. Van Buren re- 
ceived the Democratic nomination to succeed Gen. 
Jackson as President of the United States. He was 
elected by a handsome majority, to the delight of the 
retiring President. " Leaving New York out of the 
canvass," says Mr. Parton, "the election of Mr. Van 
Buren to the Presidency was as much the act of Gen. 
Jackson as though the Constitution had conferred 
upon him the power to appoint a successor." 

His administration was filled with exciting events- 
The insurrection in Canada, which threatened to in 
volve this country in war with England, the agitation 
of the slavery question, and finally the great commer- 
cial panic which spread over the country, all were 
trials to his wisdom. The financial distress was at- 
tributed to the management of the Democratic party, 
and brouglit the President into such disfavor that he 
failed of re election. 

With the exception of being nominated for the 
Presidency by the "Free Soil" Democrats, in 1848, 
Mr. Van Buren lived quietly upon his estate until 
his death. 

He had ever been a prudent man, of frugal habits, 
and living within his income, had now fortunately a 
competence for his declining years. His unblemished 
character, his commanding abilities, his unquestioned 
])atriotism, ard the distinguished positions which he 
had occupied in the government of our country, se- 
cured to him not only the homage of his party, but 
the respect ot the whole community. It was on the 
4th of March, 1841, that Mr. Van Buren retired from 
the presidency. From his fine estate at Lindenwa\d. 
he still exerted a powerful influence upon the politics 
of the country. From this time until his death, on 
the 24th of July, 1862, at the age of eighty years, he 
resided at Lindenwald, a gentleman of leisure, of 
culture and of wealth; enjoying in a healtliy old 
age, prob.-ibly far more hapi^iness than he had before 
experienced amid the stormy scenes of his active life. 




yCA,''. M /V^t I >- ^T-w 



NTNTH PRESIDENT. 



5' 




WISiM4M EilEl M4EEli§l. 






h^ 



ILLIAM HENRY HARRI- 
SON, the ninth President of 
the United States, was born 
at Berkeley, Va., Feb. 9, 1773. 
His father, Benjamin Harri- 
son, was in comparatively op- 
' ulent circumstances, and was 
one of the most distinguished 
men of his day. .He was an 
Ultimate friend of George 
Washington, was early elected 
a member of the Continental 
Congress, and was conspicuous 
among the patriots of Virginia in 
resisting the encroachments of the 
British crown. In the celebrated 
Congress of 1775, Benjamin Har- 
rison and John Hancock were 
both candidates for the office of 
speaker. 

fMr Harrison was subsequently 
chosen Governor of Virginia, and 
was twice re-elected. His son, 
i William Henry, of course enjoyed 

in childhood all the advantages which wealth and 
intellectual and cultivated society could give. Hav- 
ing received a thorough common-school education, he 
entered Hampden Sidney College, where he graduated 
with honor soon after the death of his father. He 
dien repaired to Philadelphia to study medicine under 
the instructions of Dr. Rush and the guardianship of 
lobert Morris, both of whom were, with his father, 
signers of the Declaration of Independence. 

vJpon the outbreak of the Indian troubles, and not- 
withstanding the '■enionstrances of his friends, he 
aijandoned his medical studies and entered the army, 
.laving obtair>"'' a commission of Ensign from Presi- 



dent Washington. He was then but 19 years old 
From that time he passed gradually upward in rank 
until he became aid to General Wayne, after whose 
death lie resigned his commission. He was then ai> 
pointed Secretary of the North-western Territory. This 
Territory was then entitled to but one member in 
Congress and Capt. Harrison was chosen to fill that 
ixjsition. 

In the spring of 1800 the North-western Territory 
was divided by Congress into two portions. The 
eastern portion, comprising the region now embraced 
in the State of Ohio, was called '" The Territory 
north-west of the Ohio." The western portion, which 
included what is now called Indiana, Illinois and 
Wisconsin, was called the "Indiana Territory." Wil. 
Ham Henry Harrison, then 27 years of age, was ap 
pointed by John Adams, Governor of the Indiana 
Territory, and immediately after, also Governor of 
Upper Louisiana. He was thus ruler over almost as 
extensive a realm as any sovereign upon the globe. He 
was Superintendent of Indian Affairs, and was in- 
vested with powers nearly dictatorial over the now 
rapidly increasing white population. The ability and 
fidelity with which he discharged these responsible 
duties may be inferred from the fact that he was four 
times appointed to this office^ — first by John Adams, 
twice by Thomas Jefferson and afterwards by Presi- 
dent Madison. 

When he began his adminstration there were but 
three white settlements in that almost boundless region, 
now crowded with cities and resounding with all the 
tumult of wealth and traffic. Oneof these settlements 
was on the Ohio, nearly opposite Louisville; one at 
Vincennes, on the Wabash, and the third a French 
settlement. 

The vast wilderness over which Gov. Harrisou 
reigned was filled with many tribes of Indians. ASoin 



5 = 



WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 



the year 1806, two extraordinary men, twin brothers, 
of the Shawnese tribe, rose among them. One of 
these was called Tecumseh, or " The Crout:hing 
Panther;" the other, OUiwacheca, or "The Prophet." 
Tecumseh was not only an Indian warrior, but a man 
of great sagacity, far-reaching foresight and indomit- 
able perseverance in any enterprise in which he might 
engage. He was inspired with the highest enthusiasm, 
and had long regarded with dread and with hatred 
the encroachment of the whites upon the hunting- 
grounds of his fathers. His brother, the Prophet, was 
anorator, who could sway the feelings of the untutored 
Indian as the gale tossed the tree-tops beneath which 
they dwelt. 

But the Prophet was not merely an orator: he was, 
in the superstitious minds of the Indians, invested 
with the superhuman dignity of a medicine-man or a 
magician. With an enthusiasm unsurpassed by Peter 
the Hermit rousing Europe to the crusades, he went 
from tribe to tribe, assuming that he was specially sent 
by the Great Spirit. 

Gov. Harrison made many attempts to conciliate 
the Indians, but at last the war came, and at Tippe- 
canoe the Indians were routed with great slaughter. 
October 28, 1812, his army began its march. When 
near the Prophet's town three Indians of rank made 
their appearance and inquired why Gov. Harrison was 
approaching them in so hostile an attitude. After a 
short conference, arrangements were made for a meet- 
ing the next day, to agree upon terms of peace. 

But Gov. Harrison was too well acquainted with 
the Indian character to be deceived by such protes- 
tations. Selecting a favorable spot for his night's en- 
campment, he took every precaution against surprise. 
His troops were posted in a hollow square, and slept 
upon their arms. 

The troops threw themselves upon the ground for 
rest; but every man had his accourtrements on, his 
loaded musket by his side, and his bayonet fixed. The 
wakeful Governor, between three and four o'clock in 
the morning, had risen, and was sitting in conversa- 
tion with his aids by the embers of a waning fire. It 
was a chill, cloudy morning with a drizzling rain. In 
the darkness, the Indians had crept as near as possi- 
ble, and just then, with a savage yell, rushed, with all 
the desperation which superstition and passion most 
highly inflamed could give, upon the left flank of the 
little army. The savages had been amply provided 
with guns and ammunition by the English. Their 
war-whoop was accompained by a shower of bullets. 

The camp-fires were instantly extinguished, as the 
light aided the Indians in their aim. With hide- 
sus yells, the Indian bands rushed on, not doubting a 
speedy and an entire victory. But Gen. Harrison's 
troops stood as immovable as the rocks around them 
until day dawned : they then made a simultaneous 
charge with the bayonet, and swept every thing be- 
fore them, and completely routing the foe. 



Gov. Harrison now had all his energies tasked 
to the utmost. The British descending from the Can ■ 
adas, were of themselves a very formidable force ; but 
with their savage allies, rushing like wolves from the 
forest, sear.hing out every remote farm-house, burn- 
ing, plundering, scalping, torturing, the wide frontier 
was plunged into a state of consternation which even 
the most vivid imagination can but faintly conceive. 
The war-whoop was resounding everywhere in the 
forest. The horizon was illuminated with the conflagra- 
tion of the cabins of the settlers. Gen Hull had made 
the ignominious surrender of his forces at Detroit. 
Under these despairing circumstances, Gov. Harrison 
was appointed by President Madison commander-in- 
chief of the North-western army, with orders to retake 
Detroit, and to protect the frontiers. 

It would be difiicult to place a man in a situation 
demanding more energy, sagacity and courage; but 
General Harrison was found equal to the position, 
and nobly and triumphantly did he meet all the re- 
sponsibilities. 

He won the love of his soldiers by always sharinp 
with them their fatigue. His whole baggage, while 
pursuing the foe up the Thames, was carried in a 
valise; and his bedding consisted of a single blanket 
lashed over his saddle Thirty-five British officers, 
his prisoners of war, supped with him after the battle. 
The only fare he could give them was beef roasted 
before the fire, without bread or salt. 

In 1816, Gen. Harrison was chosen a n.ember of 
the National House of Representatives, to represent 
the District of Ohio. In Congress he proved an 
active member; and whenever he spoke, it was with 
force of reason and power of eloquence, which arrested 
the attention of all the members. 

In 1819, Harrison was elected to the Senate of 
Ohio; and in 1824, as one of the presidential electors 
of that State, he gave his vote for Henry Clay. The 
same year he was chosen to the United States Senate. 

In 1836, the friends of Gen. Harrison brought him 
forward as a candidate for the Presidency against 
Van Buren, but he was defeated. At the close of 
Mr. Van Buren's term, he was re-nomir:ated by his 
party, and Mr. Harrison was unanimously nominated 
by the Whigs, with John Tyler for the Vice Presidency. 
The contest was very animated. Gen Jackson gave 
all his influence to prevent Harrison's election ; but 
his triumph was signal. 

The cabinet which he formed, with Daniel Webster 
at its head as Secretary of State, was one of the most 
brilliant with which anv President had ever been 
surrounded. Never were the prospects of an admin- 
istration more flattering, or the hopes of the country 
more sanguine. In the midst of these bright and 
joyous prospects. Gen. Harrison was seized by a 
pleurisy-fever and after a few days of violent sick- 
ness, died on the 4th of April ; just one month after 
his inauguration as President of the United States. 







\y 




zoz 



n 



'7 



TSnth PRT.SIDEI^T. 



So 







OHN TYLER, the tenth 
I'residentof the United States. 
Hj was born in Charles-city 
Co., Va., March 29, 1790. He 
was the favored child of af- 
fluence and liigh social po- 
sition. At the early age of 
twelve, John entered William 
and Mary College and grad- 
uated with much honor when 
but seventeen years old. After 
graduating, he devoted him- 
self with great assiduity to the 
study of law, partly with his 
father and pirtly with Edmund 
Randolph, one of the most distin- 
guished lawyers of Virginia. 

At nineteen years of age, ne 
commenced the practice of law. 
His success was rapid and aston- 
ishing. It is said that three 
months had not elapsed ere there 
was scarcely a case on the dock- 
I et of the court in which he was 

iiOt retained. When but twenty-one years of age, he 
was almost unanimously elected to a seat in the State 
Legislature. He connected himself with the Demo- 
cratic party, and warmly advocated the measures of 
Jefferson and Madison. For five successive years he 
was elected to the Legislature, receiving nearly the 
unanimous vote or his county. 

When but twenty-six years of age, he was elected 
a member of Congress. Here he acted earnestly and 
ably with the Democratic party, opposing a national 
bank, internal improvements by the General <^overn- 



ment, a protective tariff, and advocatmg a strict con- 
struction of the Constitution, and the most careful 
vigilance over State rights. His labors in Congress 
were so arduous that before the close of his second 
term he found it necessary to resign and retire to his 
estate in Charles-city Co., to recruit his health. He, 
however, soon after consented to take his seat in the 
State Legislature, where his influence was powerful 
in promoting public works of great utility. With a 
reputation thus canstantly increasing, he was chosen 
by a very large majority of votes. Governor of his 
native State. His administration was signally a suc- 
cessful one. His popularity secured his re-election. 

John Randolph, a brilliant, erratic, half-crazed 
man, then represented Virginia in the Senate of the 
United States. A portion of the Democratic party 
was displeased with Mr. Randolph's wayward course, 
and brought forward John Tyler as his op|X)nent, 
considering him the only man in Virginia of sufficient 
popularity to succeed against the renowned orator of 
Roanoke. Mr. Tyler was the victor. 

In accordance with his professions, upon taking his 
seat in the Senate, he joined the ranks of the opposi- 
tion. He opposed the tariff; he spoke against and 
voted against the bank as unconstitutional ; he stren- 
uously opposed all restrictions upon slavery, resist- 
ing all projects of internal improvements by the Gen- 
eral Government, and avowed his sympathy with Mr. 
Calhoun's view of nullification ; he declared that Gen. 
Jackson, by his opposition to the nullifiers, had 
abandoned the principles of the Democratic party. 
Such was Mr. Tyler's record in Congress, — a record 
in perfect accordance with the principles which he 
had always avowed. 

Returning to Virginia, he resumed the practice of 
his profession. Ther? was a cplit in the Democr.iti. 



JOHN TYLER. 



(>arty. His friends still regarded him as a true Jef- 
fersonian, gave him a dinner, and showered comph- 
ments upon him. He had now attained the age of 
forty-six. His career had been very brilliant. In con- 
sequence of his devotion to public business, his pri- 
vate affairs had fallen into some disorder; and it was 
not without satisfaction that he resumed the practice 
of law, and devoted himself to the culture of his plan- 
tation. Soon after this he removed to Williamsburg, 
for the better education of his children ; and he again 
took his seat in the Legislature of Virginia. 

By the Southern Whigs, he was sent to the national 
convention at Harrisburg to nominate a President in 
7839. The majority of votes were given to Gen. Har- 
rison, a genuine Whig, much to the disappointment of 
the South, who wished for Henry Clay. To concili- 
ate the Southern Whigs and to secure their vote, the 
convention then nominated John Tyler for Vice Pres- 
ident. It was well known that he was not in sympa- 
thy with the Whig party in the Notth: but the Vice 
President has but very little power in the Govern- 
ment, his main and almost only duty being to pre- 
side over the meetings of the Senate. Thus it hap- 
pened that a Whig President, and, in reality, a 
Democratic Vice President were chosen. 

In 1841, Mr. Tyler was inaugurated Vice Presi- 
dent of the United States. In one short month from 
that time. President Harrison died, and Mr. Tyler 
thus -cund himself, to his own surprise and that of 
the whole Nation, an occupant of the Presidential 
chair. This was a new test of the stability of our 
institutions, as it was the first time in the history of our 
country that such an event had occured. Mr. Tyler 
was at home in Williamsburg when he received the 
unexpected tidings of the death of President Harri- 
son. He hastened to Washington, and on the 6th of 
April was inaugurated to the high and responsible 
office. He was placed in a position of exceeding 
delicacy and difficulty. All his long life he had been 
opposed to the main principles of the party which had 
brought him into power. He had ever been a con- 
sistent, hone-t man, with an unblemished record. 
Gen. Harrison had selected a Whig cabinet. Should 
he retain them, and thus surround himself with coun- 
sellors whose views were antagonistic to his own.'' or, 
on the other hand, should he turn against the party 
which had elected him and select a cabinet in har- 
mony with himself, and which would oppose all those 
views which the Whigs deemed essential to the pub- 
lic welfare? This was his fearful dilemma. He in- 
vited the cal)inet which President Hanrison had 
selected to retain their seats. He reccommended a 
day of fasting and prayer, that God would guide and 
bless us. 

The Whigs carried through Congress a bill for the 
incorporation of a fiscal bank of the United States. 
The President, after ten days' delay, returned it with 
his veto. He '«uegested, however, that he virould 



approve of a bill drawn up upon such a plan as he 
proposed. Such a bill was accordingly prepared, anU 
privately submitted to him. He gave it his approval 
It was passed without alteration, and he sent it back 
with his veto. Here commenced the open rupture. 
It is said that Mr. Tyler was provoked to this meas- 
ure by a published letter from the Hon. John M. 
Botts, a distinguished Virginia Whig, who severely 
touched the pride of the President. 

The opposition now exultingly received the Presi- 
dent into their arms. The party which elected him 
denounced him bitterly. AH the members of his 
cabinet, excepting Mr. Webster, resigned. The Whigs 
of Congress, both the Senate and the House, held a 
meeting and issued an address to the people of the 
United States, proclaiming that all political alliance 
between the Whigs and President Tyler were at 
an end. 

Still the President attempted to conciliate. He 
appointed a new cabmet of distinguished Whigs and 
Conservatives, carefully leaving out all strong party 
men. Mr. Webster soon found it necessary to resign, 
forced out by the pressure of his Whig friends. Thus 
the four years of Mr. Tyler's unfortunate administra- 
tion passed sadly away. No one was satisfied. The 
land was filled with murmurs and vituperation. Whigs 
and Democrats alike assailed him. More and more, 
however, he brought himself into sympathy with his 
old friends, the Democrats, until at the close of his term, 
he gave his whole influence to the support of Mr. 
Polk, the Democratic candidate for his successor. 

On the 4th of March, 1845, he retired from the 
harassments of office, to the regret of neither party, and 
probably to his own unspeakable lelief His first wife, 
Miss Letitia Christian, died in Washington, in 1842; 
and in June, 1844, President Tyler was again married, 
at New York, to Miss Julia Gardiner, a young lady of 
many personal and intellectual accomplishments. 

The remainder of his days Mr. Tyler passed mainly 
in retirement at his beautiful home, — Sherwood For- 
est, Charles-city Co., Va. A polished gentleman in 
his manners, richly furnished with information from 
books and experience in the world, and possessing 
brilliant powers of conversation, his family circle was 
the scene of unusual attractions. AVith sufficient 
means for the exercise of a generous hospitality, he 
might have enjoyed a serene old age with the few 
friends who gathered around him, were it not for the 
storms of civil war which his own principles and 
policy had helped to introduce. 

When the great Rebellion rose, which the State, 
rights and nullifying doctrines of Mr. John C. Cal- 
houn had inaugurated. President Tyler renounced his 
allegiance to the United States, and joined the Confed- 
erates. He was chosen a member of their Congress; 
and while engaged in active measures to destroy, by 
force of arms, the Government over which he had 
once presided, he was taken sick and soon died. 



■ELEVENTH PRESTDEN2. 



59 





JAMES Ko FOIL 






^j§0 






>, •^Sj 




m 



AMES K. POLK, the eleventh 

^President of the United States, 

was born in Mecklenburg Co., 

N. C, Nov. 2, 1795. His par- 

^^7<^, ents were Samuel and Tane 

(Knox) Polk, the former a son 

of Col. Thomas Polk, who located 

at the above place, as one of the 

first pioneers, in 1735. 

In the year 1006, with his wife 
and children, and soon after fol- 
lowed by most of the members of 
the Polk famly, Samuel Polk emi- 
grated some two or three hundred 
miles farther west, to the rich valley 
of the Duck River. Here in the 
midst of the wilderness, in a region 
which was subsequently called Mau- 
ry Co., they reared their log huts, 
and established their homes. In the 
hard toil of a new farm in the wil- 
derness, James K. Polk spent the 
early years of his childhood and 
youth. His father, adding the pur- 
suit of a surveyor to that of a farmer, 
' gradually increased in wealth until 

he became one of the leading men of the region. His 
mother was a superior woman, of strong common 
sense and earnest piety. 

Very early in life, James developed a taste for 
reading and expressed the strongest desire to obtain 
a liberal education. His mother's training had made 
him methodical in his habits, had taught him punct- 
uality and industry, and had inspired him with lofty 
principles of morality. His health was frail ; and his 
father, fearing that he might not be able to endure a 



sedentary life, got a situation for him behind the 
counter, hoping to fit him for commercial pursuits. 

This was to James a bitter disappointment. H« 
had no taste for these duties, and his daily tasks 
were irksome in the extreme. He remained in this 
uncongenial occupation but a few weeks, when at his 
earnest solicitation his father removed hiai, and made 
arrangements for him to prosecute his studies. Soon 
after he sent him to Murfreesboro Academy. With 
ardor which could scarcely be surpassed, he pressed 
forward in his studies, and in less than two and a half, 
years, in the autumn of 1815, entered the sophomore 
class in the University of North Carolina, at Chapel 
Hill. Here he was one of the most exemplary of 
scholars, punctual in every exercise, never allowing 
himself to be absent from a recitation or a religious 
service. 

He graduated in 18 18, with the highest honors, be* 
ing deemed the best scholar of his class, both in 
mathematics and the classics. He was then twenty- 
three years of age. Mr. Polk's health was at this 
time much impaired by the assiduity with which he 
had prosecuted his studies. After a short season of 
relaxation he went to Nashville, and entered the 
office of Felix Grundy, to study law. Here Mr. Polk 
renewed his acquaintance with Andrew Jackson, who 
resided on his plantation, the Hermitage, but a few 
miles from Nashville. They had probably been 
slightly acquainted before. 

Mr. Polk's father was a Jeffersonian Republican, 
and James K. Polk ever adhered to the same politi- 
cal faith. He was a popular public speaker, and was 
constantly called upon to address the meetings of his 
party friends. His skill as a speaker was such that 
he was popularly called the Napoleon of the stump. 
He was a man of unblemished morals, genial and 



6o 



JAMES K. POLK. 



courterus in his bearing, and with that sympathetic 
nature in the joys and griefs of others which ever gave 
him troops of friends. In 1823, Mr. Polk was elected 
to the Legislature of Tennessee. Here he gave his 
strong influence towards the election of his friend, 
Mr. Jackson, to tlie Presidency of the United States. 
I In January, 1824, Mr. Polk married Miss Sarah 
Childress, of Rutherford Co., Tenn. His bride was 
altogether worthy of him, — a lady of beauty and cul- 
ture. In the fall of 1S25, Mr. Polk was chosen a 
member of Congress. The satisfaction which he gave 
to his constituents may be inferred from the fact, that 
for fourteen successive years, until 1839, he was con- 
tinuec'^ in that office. He then voluntarily withdrew, 
only that he might accept the Gubernatorial chair 
of T''^nnessee. In Congress he was a laborious 
member, a frequent and a popular speaker. He was 
always in his seat, always courteous ; and whenever 
he spoke it was always to the point, and without any 
ambitious rhetorical display. 

During five sessions of Congress, Mr. Polk was 
Speaker of the House, Strong passions were roused, 
and stormy scenes were witnessed ; but Mr. Polk per- 
formed his arduous duties to a very general satisfac- 
tion, and a unanimous vote of thanks to him was 
passed by the House as he withdrew on the 4th of 
March, 1839. 

In accordance with Southern usage, Mr. Polk, as a 
candidate for Governor, canvassed the State. He was 
elected by a large majority, and on the 14th of Octo- 
ber, 1839, took the oath of office at Nashville. In 1841, 
his term of office expired, and he was again the can- 
didate of the Democratic party, but was defeated. 

On the 4th of March, 1845, Mr. Polk was inaugur- 
ated President of the United States. The verdict of 
the country in favor of the annexation of Texas, exerted 
its influence upon Congress ; and the last act of the 
administration of President Tyler was to affix his sig- 
nature to a joint resolution of Congress, passed on the 
3d of March, approving of the annexation of Texas to 
the American Union. As Mexico still claimed Texas 
as one of her provinces, the Mexican minister, 
Almonte, immediately demanded his passports and 
left the country, declaring the act of the annexation 
to be an act hostile to Mexico. 

In his first message. President Polk urged that 
Texas should immediately, by act of Congress, be re- 
ceived into the Union on the same footing with the 
other States. In the meantime, Gen. Taylor was sent 



with an army into Texas to hold the country. He was 
sent first to Nueces, which the Mexicans said was the 
western boundary of Texas. Then he was sent jiearly 
two hundred miles further west, to the Rio Grande, 
where he erected batteries which commanded the 
Mexican city of Matamoras, which was situated on 
the western banks. 

The anticipated collision soon took place, and wai 
was declared against Mexico by President Polk. The 
war was pushed forward by Mr. Polk's administration 
with great vigor. Gen. Taylor, whose army was first 
called one of " observation," then of " occupation,' 
then of " in vasion, " was sent forward to Monterey. The 
feeble Mexicans, in every encounter, were hopelessly 
and awfully slaughtered. The day of judgement 
alone can reveal the misery which this war caused. 
It v/as by the ingenuity of Mr. Polk's administration 
that the war was brought on. 

'To the victors belong the spoils." Mexico was 
prostrate before us. Her capital was in our hands. 
We now consented to peace upon the condition that 
Mexico should surrender to us, in addition to Texas, 
all of New Me.xico, and all of Upper and Lower Cal- 
ifornia. This new demand embraced, exclusive of 
Texas, eight hundred thousand square miles. This 
was an extent of territory equal to nine States of the 
size of New York. Thus slavery was securing eighteen 
majestic States to be added to the Union. There were 
some Americans who thought it all right : there were 
others who thought it all wrong. In the prosecution 
of this war, we expended twenty thousand lives and 
more than a hundred million of dollars. Of this 
money fifteen millions were paid to Mexico. 

On the 3d of March, 1849, Mr. Polk retired from 
office, having served one term. The next day was 
Sunday. On the 5th, Gen. Taylor was inaugurated 
as his successor. Mr. Polk rode to the Capitol in the 
same carriage with Gen. Taylor; and the same even- 
ing, with Mrs. Polk, he commenced his return to 
Tennessee. He was then but fifty-four years of age. 
He had ever been strictly temperate in all his habits, 
and his health was good. With an ample fortune, 
a choice library, a cultivated mind, and domestic ties 
of the dearest nature, it seemed as though long years 
of tranquility and happiness were before him. But the 
cholera — that fearful scourge — was then sweeping up 
the Valley of the Mississippi. This he contracted, 
and died on the 15th of June, 1849, in the fifty-fourth 
year of his age, greatly mourned by his countrymen. 




Vci^^A^'^y y^^o^ i^-r ^ 



TiVELFTH PRESIDENT. 




^.4fW*Rf f JMTftf t 




ACHARY TAYLOR, twelfth 
I'resident of the United States, 
t^'^was born on the 24th of Nov., 
1784, in Orange Co., Va. His 
father. Colonel Taylor, was 
a Virginian of note, and a dis- 
*;ji^ tinguished patriot and soldier of 
the Revolution. When Zachary 
was an infant, his father with his 
wife and two children, emigrated 
to Kentucky, where he settled in 
tlie pathless wilderness, a few 
miles from Louisville. In this front- 
ier home, away from civilization and 
all its refinements, yaung Zachary 
could enjoy but few social and educational advan- 
tages. When six years of age he attended a common 
school, and was then regarded as a bright, active boy, 
father remarkable for bluntness and decision of char- 
acter He was strong, feailess and self-reliant, and 
manifested a strong desire to enter the army to fight 
the Lidians who were ravaging the frontiers. There 
is little to be recorded of the uneventful years of his 
childhood oa his father's large but lonely plantation. 
In 1808, his father succeeded in obtaining for him 
the commission of lieutenant in the United States 
army ; and lie joined the troops which were stationed 
at New Orleans under Gen. Wilkinson. Soon after 
this he married Miss Margaret Smith, a young lady 
from one of the first families of Maryland. 

Immediately after the declaration of war with Eng- 
land, in 1812, Capt. Taylor (for he had then been 
promoted to that rank) was put in command of Fort 
Harrison, on the Wabash, about fifty miles above 
Vincennes. This fort had been built in the wilder- 
ness by Gen. Harrison,on his march to Tippecanoe. 
It was one of the first points of attack by the Indians, 
led by Tecumseh. Its garrison consisted of a broken 



company of infantry numbering fifty men, many of 
whom were sick. 

Early in the autumn of 181 2, the Indians, stealthily, 
and in large numbers, moved upon the fort. Their 
approach was first indicated by the murder of two 
soldiers just outside of the stockade. Capt. Taylor 
made every possible preparation to meet the antici- 
pated assault. On the 4th of September, a band of 
forty painted and plumed savages came to the fort, 
waving a white flag, and informed Capt. Taylor that 
in the morning their chief would come to have a talk 
with him. It was evident that their object was merely 
to ascertain the state of things at the fort, and Capt. 
Taylor, well versed in the wiles of the savages, kept 
them at a distance. 

The sun went down ; the savages disappeared, the 
garrison slept upon their arms. One hour before 
midnight the war whoop burst from a thousand lips 
in the forest around, followed by the discharge of 
musketry, and the rush of the foe. Every man, sick 
and well, sprang to his post. Every man knew that 
defeat was not merely death, but in the case of cap- 
ture, death by the most agonizing and prolonged tor- 
ture. No pen can describe, no immagination can 
conceive the scenes which ensued. The savages suc- 
ceeded in setting fire to one of the block-houses- 
Until six o'clock in the morning, this awful conflict 
continued. The savages then, baffled at every point, 
and gnashing their teeth with rage, retired. Capt. 
Taylor, for this gallant defence, was promoted to the 
rank of major by brevet. 

Until the close of the war. Major Taylor was placed 
in such situations that he saw but little more of active 
service. He was sent far away into the depths of the 
wilderness, to Fort Crawford, on Fox River, which 
empties into Green Bay. Here there was but little 
to be done but to wear away the tedious hours as one 
best could. There were no books, no society, no in- 



64 



ZACHARY TAYLOR 



tellectual stimulus. Thus with him the uneventful 
years rolled on Gradually he rose to the rank of 
colonel. In the Black-Hawk war, which resulted in 
the capture of that renowned chieftain, Col Taylor 
took a subordinate but a brave and efficient part. 

For twenty-four years Col. Taylor was engaged in 
the defence of the frontiers, in scenes so remote, and in 
femployments so obscure, that his name was unknown 
rbeyond the limits of iiis own immediate acquaintance. 
In the year 1836, he was seat to Florida to compel 
the Seminole Indians to vacate that region and re- 
tire beyond the Mississippi, as their chiefs by treaty, 
liac promised they should do. The services rendered 
(leie secured for Col. Taylor the high appreciation of 
the Government; and as a reward, he was elevated 
ic :he rank of brigadier-general by brevet ; and soon 
ifter, in May, 1838, was appointed to the chief com- 
inand of the United States troops in Florida. 

After two years of such wearisome employment 
Amidst the everglades of the peninsula, Gen. Taylor 
obtained, at his own request, a change of command, 
ind was stationed over the Department of the South- 
'Acst. This field embraced Louisiana, Mississippi, 
jlalabama and Georgia. Establishing his headquarters 
Jit Fort Jessup, in Louisiana, he removed his family 
to a plantation which he purchased, near Baton Rogue. 
H«re he remained for five years, buried, as it were, 
from the world, but faithfully discharging every duty 
^imposed upon him. 

In 1846, Gen. Taylor was sent to guard the land 
between the Nueces and Rio Grande, the latter river 
[being the boundary of Texas, which was then claimed 
by the United States. Soon the war with Me.xico 
wi 5 brought on, and at Palo Alto and Resaca de la 
P'aJma, Gen. Taylor won brilliant victories over the 
Mexicans. The rank of major-general by brevet 
was then conferred upon Gen. Taylor, and his name 
was received with enthusiasm almost everywhere in 
the Nation. Then came the battles of Monterey and 
Euena Vista in which he won signal victories over 
f( jrces much larger than he commanded. 

His careless habits of dress and his unaffected 
?i/nplicity, secured for Gen. Taylor among his troops, 
xXe. sobriquet of "Old Rough and Ready.' 

The tidings of the brilliant victory of Buena Vista 
?l'read the wildest enthusiasm over the country. The 
name of Gen. Taylor was on every one's lips. The 
H hig party decided to take advantage of this wonder- 
ful popularity in bringing forward the unpolished, un- 

■'ered, honest soldier as their candidate for the 
Piesidency. Gen. Taylor was astonished at the an- 
no uncement, and for a time would not listen to it; de- 
claring that he was not at all qualified for such an 
■office. So little interest had he taken in politics that, 
for forty years, he had not cast a vote. It was not 
without chagrin that several distinguished statesmen 
wlio had been long years in the public service found 
fLinr claims set aside in behalf of one whose name 



had never been heard of, save in connection with Palo 
Alto, Resaca de la Palma, Monterey and Buena 
Vista. It Is said that Daniel Webster, in his haste re- 
marked, "It is a nomination not fit to be made." 

Gen. Taylor was not an eloquent speaker nor a fine 
writer His friends took possession of him, and pre- 
pared such few communications as it was needful 
should be presented to the public. The popularity of 
the successful warrior swept the land. He was tri- 
umphantly elected over two opposing candidates, — 
Gen. Cass and Ex-President Martin Van Buren. 
Though he selected an excellent cabinet, the good 
old man found himself in a very uncongenial position, 
and was, at times, sorely perplexed and harassed. 
His mental sufferings were very severe, and probably 
tended to hasten his death. The pro-slavery party 
was pushing its claims with tireless energy, expedi- 
tions were fitting out to capture Cuba ; California was 
pleading for admission to the Union, while slavery 
stood at the door to bar her out. Gen. Taylor found 
the political conflicts in Washington to be far more 
trying to the nerves than battles with Mexicans or 
Indians 

In the midst of all these troubles, Gen. Taylor, 
after he had occupied the Presidential chair but little 
over a year, took cold, and after a brief sickness of 
but little over five days, died on the glh of July, 1850. 
His last words were, " I am not afraid to die. I am 
ready. I have endeavored to do my duty." He died 
universally respected and beloved. An honest, un- 
pretending man, he had been steadily growing in the 
affections of the people; and the Nation bitterly la- 
mented his death. 

Gen. Scott, who was thoroughly acquainted with 
Gen. Taylor, gave the following graphic and truthful 
description of his character: — " With a good store of 
common sense, Gen. Taylor's mind had not been en- 
larged and refreshed by reading, or much converse 
with the world. Rigidity of ideas was the conse- 
quence. The frontiers and small military posts had 
been his home. Hence he was quite ignorant for his 
rank, and quite bigoted in his ignorance. His sim- 
plicity was child-like, and with innumerable preju- 
dices, amusing and incorrigible, well suited to the 
tender age. Thus, if a man, however respectable, 
chanced to wear a coat of an unusual color, or his hat 
a little on one side of his head ; or an officer to leave 
a corner of his handkerchief dangling from an out- 
side pocket, — in any such case, this critic held the 
offender to be a coxcomb (perhaps something worse), 
whom he would not, to use his oft repeated phrase, 
' touch with a pair of tongs.' 

"Any allusion to literature beyond good old Dil- 
worth's spelling-book, on the part of one wearing a 
sword, was evidence, with the same judge, of utter 
unfitness for heavy marchings and combats. In shorf 
few men have ever had a more comfortasie, '.3''->ot- 
saving contempt for learning of every kind." 




i^ J( C^!U-r,-c.cnj) 



THIRTEENTH PRESIDENT. 



6r 





^'MILLflHn FILLMnHE."^ | 







ILLARD FILLMORE, thir- 
teenth President of the United 
States, was born at Summer 
Hill, Cayuga Co., N. Y ., on 
the 7th of Januar)-, 1800. His 
father was a farmer, and ow- 
ing to misfortune, in humble cir- 
cumstances. Of his mother, the 
daughter of Dr. Abiathar Millard, 
of Pittsfield, Mass., it has been 
said that she possessed an intellect 
of very high order, united with much 
personal loveliness, sweetness of dis- 
position, graceful manners and ex- 
quisite sensibilities. She died in 
1831 ; having lived to see her son a 
young man of distinguished prom- 
ise, though she was not permitted to witness the liigh 
dignity which he finally attained. 

In consequence of the secluded hone and limited 
ineans of his father, Millard enjoyed Init slender ad- 
'/antages for education in his early years. The com- 
mon schools, which he occasiona'ly attended were 
very imperfect institutions; and books were scarce 
and expensive. There was nothing then in his char- 
acter to indicate the brilliant career upon which he 
was about to enter. He was a plain farmer's boy ; 
intelligent, good-looking, kind-hearted. The sacred 
influences of home had taught him to revere the Bible, 
and had laid tlie four:dations of an upright character. 
When fourteen years of age, his father sent him 
some hundred miles from home, to the then wilds of 
Livingston County, to learn the trade of a clothier. 
Neai' the mill there was a small villiage, where some 



enterprising man had commenced the collection of a 
village library. This proved an inestimable blessing 
to young Fillmore. His evenings were spent in read- 
ing Soon every leisure moment was occupied with 
books. His thirst fur knowledge became insatiate 
and the selections which he made were continually 
more elevating and instructive. He read history, 
biography, oratory, and thus gradually there was en- 
kindled in his heart a desire to be something more 
than a mere worker with his hands; and he was be- 
coming, almost unknown to himself, a well-informed, 
educated man. 

The young clothier had now attained the age 0/ 
nineteen years, and was of fine personal appearance 
and of gentlemanly demeanor. It so happened tha! 
there was a gentleman in the neighborhood of ample 
pecuniary means and of benevolence, — Judge Walter 
Wood, — who was struck with the prepossessing ap- 
pearance of young Fillmore. He made his acquaint- 
ance, and was so much impressed with his ability and 
attainments that he advised him to abandon his 
trade and devote himself to the study of the law. Tiie 
young man replied, that he had no means of his own, 
r.o friends to help him and that his previous educa- 
tion had been very imperfect. But Judge Wood had 
so much confidence in him that he kindly offered to 
take him into his own office, and to loan him such 
money as he needed. Most gratefully the generous 
offer was accepted. 

There is in many minds a strange delusion al.)Outf 
^ collegiate education. A young man is supposed to 
be liberally educated if he has graduated at some col- 
lege. Bu.t many a boy loiters through university halls 
«ind then enters a law office, who is by no miana as 



08 



MILLARD FILLMORE. 



well prepared to prosecute his legal studies as was 
Millard Fillmore when he graduated at the clothing- 
mill at the end of four years of manual labor, during 
which every leisure moment had been devoted to in- 
tense mental culture. 

In 1823, when twenty-three years of age, he was 
admitted to the Court of Common Pleas. He then 
went to the village of Aurora, and commenced the 
practice of law. In this secluded, peaceful region, 
his practice of course was limited, and there was no 
opportunity for a sudden rise in fortune or in fame. 
Here, in the year 1826, he married a lady of great 
moral worth, and one capable of adorning any station 
she might be called to fill, — Miss Abigail Powers. 

His elevation of character, his untiring industry, 
his legal acquirements, and his skill as an advocate, 
gradually attracted attention ; and he was invited to 
enter into partnership under highly advantageous 
circumstances, with an elder member of the bar in 
Buffalo. Just before removing to Buffalo, in 1829, 
he took his seat in the House of Assembly, of the 
State of New York, as a representative from Erie 
County. Though he had never taken a very active 
part in politics, his vote and his sympathies were with 
the Whig party. The State was then Democratic, 
and he found himself in a helpless minority in the 
Legislature , still the testimony comes from all parlies, 
that his courtesy, ability and integrity, won, to a very 
unusual degrte the respect of his associates. 

In the autumn of 1832, he was elected to a seat in 
the United States Congress He entered that troubled 
arena in some of the most tumultuous hours of our 
national history. The great conflict respecting the 
national bank and the removal of the deposits, was 
then raging. 

His term of two years closed ; and he returned to 
his profession, which he pursued with increasing rep- 
utation and success. After a lapse of two years 
he again became a candidate for Congress; was re- 
elected, and took his seat in 1837. His past expe- 
rience as a representative gave huii st»ength and 
confidence. The first term of service in Congress to 
any man can be but little more than an introduction. 
He was now prepared for active duty. All his ener- 
gies were brought to bear upon the public good. Every 
measure received his impress. , 

Mr. Fillmore was now a man of wide repute, and 
his [xjpularity filled the State, and in the year 1847, 
he was elected Comptroller of the State. 



Mr. Fillmore had attained the age of forty-seven 
years. His labors at the bar, in the Legislature, in 
Congress and as Comptroller, had given him very con- 
siderable fame. The Whigs were casting about to 
find suitable candidates for President and Vice-Presi- 
dent at the approaching election. Far away, on the 
waters of the Rio Grande, there was a rough old. 
soldier, who had fought one or two successful battles! 
with the Mexicans, which had caused his name to be 
proclaimed in trumpet-tones all over the land. But 
it was necessary to associate with him on the same 
ticket some man of reputation as a statesman. 

Under the influence of these considerations, the 
namesofZachary Taylor and Millard Fillmore became 
the rallying-cry of the Whigs, as their candidates for 
President and Vice-Peesident. The Whig ticket was 
signally triumphant. On the 4th of March, 1849, 
Gen. Taylor was inaugurated President, and Millard 
Fillmore Vice-President, of the United States. 

On the gth of July, 1850, President Taylor, but 
about one year and four months after his inaugura 
tion, was suddenly taken sick and died. By the Con- 
stitution, Vice-President Fillmore thus became Presi- 
dent. He appointed a very able cabinet, of which 
the illustrious Daniel Webster was Secretary of State. 

Mr. Fillniore had very serious difficulties to contend 
with, since the opposition had a majority in both 
Houses. He did everything in his power to conciliate 
the South ; but the pro-slavery party in the South felt 
theinadequacyof all measuresof transient conciliation. 
The population of the free States was so rapidly in- 
creasing over that of the slave States that it was in- 
evitable that the power of the Government should 
soon pass into the hands of the free States. The 
famous compromise measures were adopted under Mr. 
Fillmore's adminstration, and the Japan Expedition 
was sent out. On the 4th of March, 1853, Mr. Fill- 
more, having served one term, retired. 

In 1856, Mr. Fillmore was nominated for the Pres- 
idency by the " Know Nothing " party, but was beaten 
by Mr. Buchanan. After that Mr. Fillmore lived in 
retirement. During the terrible conflict of civil war, 
he was mostly silent. It was generally supposed thaf 
his sympathies were rather with those who were en- 
deavoring to overthrow our institutions. President 
Fillmore kept aloof from the conflict, without any 
cordial words of cheer to the one party or the other. 
He was thus forgotten by both. He lived to a ripe 
old age, and died in Buffalo. N. Y., March 8, 1874- 



FOURTEENTH PRESIDENT. 




^feijfi aaa^ •'->^S 

^ ' - ^'FHflNKLIN PIERCE. <^ 








RANKLIN PIERCE, the 
fourteenth President of the 
"United States, was born in 
Hillsborough, N. H., Nov. 
23, 1804. His father was a 
Revolutionary soldier, who, 
with his own strong arm, 
hewed out a home in the 
wilderness. He was a man 
of inflexible integrity; of 
strong, though uncultivated 
mind, and an uncompromis- 
ing Democrat. The mother of 
Franklin Pierce was all that a son 
could desire, — an intelligent, pru- 
dent, affectionate, Christian wom- 
an. Franklin was the sixth of eight children. 

Franklin was a very bright and handsome boy, gen- 
erous, warm-hearted and brave. He won alike the 
love of old and young. The boys on the play ground 
loved him. His teachers loved him. The neighbors 
looked upon him with pride and affection. He was 
by instinct a gentleman; always speaking kind words, 
doing kind deeds, with a peculiar unstudied tact 
which taught him what was agreealile. Without de- 
veloping any precocity of genius, or any unnatural 
devotion to books, he was a good scholar ; in body, 
in mind, in affections, a finely-developed boy. 

When sixteen years of age, in the year 1820, he 
entered Bowdoin College, at Brunswick, Me He was 
one of the most popular young men in the college. 
The purity of his moral character, the unvarying 
courtesy of his demeanor, his rank as a scholar, and 



genial nature, rendered him a universal favorite. 
There was something very peculiarly winning in his 
address, and it was evidently not in the slightest de- 
gree studied : it was the simple outgushing of his 
own magnanimous and loving nature. 

Upon graduating, in the year 1824, Franklin Pierce 
commenced the study of law in the office of Judge 
Woodbury, one of the most distinguished lawyers of 
the State, and a man of great private worth. The 
eminent social quahties of the young lawyer, his 
father's prominence as a public man, and the brilliant 
political career into which Judge Woodbury was en' 
tering, all tended to entice Mr. Pierce into the faci- 
nating yet perilous path of political life. With all 
the ardor of his nature he espoused the cause of Gen. 
Jackson for the Presidency. He commenced the 
practice of law in Hillsborough, and was soon elected 
to represent the town in the State Legislature. Here 
he served for four yeais. The last two years he was 
chosen speaker of the house by a very large vote. 

In 18.33, *f the age of twenty-nine, he was elected 
a member of Congress. Without taking an active 
part in debates, he was faithful and laborious in duty 
and ever rising in the estimation of those with whom 
he was associatad. 

In 1837, being then but thirty-three years of age, 
he was elected to the Senate of the United States; 
taking his seat just as Mr. Van Buren commenced 
his administration. He was the youngest memberin 
the Senate. In the year 1834, he married Miss Jane 
Means Appleton, a lady of rare beauty and accom- 
plishments, and one admirably fitted to adorn every 
station with which her husband was honoied. Of the 



72 



FRANKLIN PIERCE. 



three sons who were born to them, all now sleep with 
their parents in the grave. 

In the year 1838, Mr. Pierce, with growing fame 
and increasing business as a lawyer, took up his 
residence in Concord, the capital of New Hampshire. 
President Polk, upon his accession to office, appointed 
Mr. Pierce attorney-general of the United States; but 
the offer was declined, in consequence of numerous 
professional engagements at home, and the precariuos 
state of Mrs. Pierce's health. Fie also, about the 
same time declined the nomination for governor by the 
Democratic party. The war with Mexico called Mr. 
Pierce in the army. Receiving the appointment of 
brigadier-general, he embarked, with a portion of his 
troops, at Newport, R. I., on the 27th of May, 1847. 
He took an important part in this war, proving him- 
.self a brave and true soldier. 

When Gen. Pierce reached his home in his native 
State, he was received enthusiastically by the advo- 
cates of the Mexican war, and coldly by his oppo- 
nents. He resumed the practice of his profession, 
very frequently taking an active part in political ques- 
tions, giving his cordial support to the pro-slavery 
wing of the Democratic party. The compromise 
measures met cordially with his approval; and he 
(strenuously advocated the enforcement of the infa- 
mous fugitive-slave law, which so shocked the religious 
Sensibilities of the North. He thus became distin- 
guished as a "Northern man with Southern principles.'' 
The strong partisans of slavery in the South conse- 
quently regarded him as a man whom they could 
safely trust in office to carry out their plans. 

On the i2th of June, 1852, the Democratic conven- 
tion met in Baltimore to nominate a candidate for the 
Presidency. For four days they continued in session, 
and in thirty-five ballotings no one had obtained a 
two-thirds vote. Not a vote thus far had been thrown 
for Gen. Pierce. Then the Virginia delegation 
brought forward his name. There were fourteen 
more ballotings, during which Gen. Pierce constantly 
gained strength, until, at the forty-ninth ballot, he 
received two hundred and eighty-two votes, and all 
other candidates eleven. Gen. Winfield Scott was 
the Whig candidate. Gen. Pierce was chosen with 
great unanimity. Only four States — Vermont, Mas- 
sachusetts, Kentucky and Tennessee — cast their 
electoral votes against him Gen. Franklin Pierce 
was therefore inaugurated President of the United 
States on the 4th of March, 1853. 



His administration proved one of the most stormy our 
country had ever experienced. The controversy be 
tween slavery and freedom was then approaching its 
culminating point. It became evident that there was 
an " irrepressible conflict " between them, and that 
this Nation could not long exist " half slave and half 
free." President Pierce, during the whole of his ad- 
ministration, did every thing he could to conciliate 
the South ; but it was all in vain. The conflict every 
year grew more violent, and threats of the dissolution 
of the Union were borne to the North on every South- 
ern breeze. 

Such was the condition of affairs when President 
Pierce approached the close of his four-years' term 
of office. The North had become thoroughly alien- 
ated from him. The anti-slavery sentiment, goaded 
by great outrages, had been rapidly increasing; all 
the intellectual ability and social worth of President 
Pierce were forgotten in deep reprehension of his ad- 
ministrative acts. The slaveholders of the South, also, 
unmindful of the fidelity with which he had advo- 
cated those measures of Government which they ap- 
proved, and perhaps, also, feeling that he had 
rendered himself so unpopular as no longer to be 
able acceptably to serve them, ungratefully dropped 
him, and nominated James Buchanan to succeed him. 

On the 4th of March, 1857, President Pierce re- 
tired to his home in Concord. Of three children, two 
had died, and his only surviving child had been 
killed before his eyes by a railroad accident ; and his 
wife, one of the most estimable and accomplished of 
ladies, was rapidly sinking in consumption. The 
hour of dreadful gloom soon came, and he was left 
alone in the world, without wife or child. 

When the terrible Rebellion burst forth, whicli di- 
vided our country into two parties, and two only, Mr. 
Pierce remained steadfast in the principles which he 
had always cherished, and gave his sympathies to 
that pro-slavery party with which he had ever been 
allied. He declined to do anything, either by voice 
or pen, to strengthen the hand of the National Gov- 
ernment. He continued to reside in Concord until 
the time of his death, which occurred in October, 
i86g. He was one of the most genial and social of 
men, an honored communicant of the Episcopal 
Church, and one of the kindest of neighbors. Gen 
erous to a fault, he contiibuted liberally for the al- 
leviation of suffering and want, and many of his towi.s 
people were often gladened by his material boujily. 





^^?7?^J CiPuC^^?^-^' 



i/Fteenth president. 



r 








\MES BUCHANAN, the fif- 
teenth President of the United 
States, was born in a small 
frontier town, at the foot of the 
eastern ridge of the AUegha- 
nies, in Franklin Co., Penn., on 
the 23d of April, 1791. The place 
wliere the humble cabin of his 
father stuod was called Stony 
Batter. It was a wild and ro- 
mantic sjxjt in a gorge of the moun- 
tains, with towering summits rising 
grandly all around. His father 
was a native of the north of Ireland ; 
a poor man, who had emigrated in 
1783, with little property save his 
own strong arms. Five years afterwards he married 
Elizabeth Spear, the daughter of a respectable farmer, 
and, with his young bride, plunged into the wilder- 
ness, staked his claim, reared his log-hut, opened a 
clearing with his axe, and settled down there to per- 
form his obscure part in the drama of life. In this se- 
cluded home, where James was born, he remained 
for eight years, enjoying but few social or intellectual 
advantages. When James was eight yeatsof age, his 
father removed to the village of Mercersburg, where 
his son was placed at school, and commenced a 
course of study in English, Latin and Greek. His 
progress was rapid, and at the age of fourteen, he 
entered Dickinson College, at Carlisle. Here he de- 
veloped remarkable talent, and took his stand among 
the first scholars in the institution. His application 
to study was intense, and yet his native powers en- 



abled him to master the most abstruse subjects wi '• 
facility. 

In the year i8og, he graduated with the highest 
honors of his clas:.. He was then eighteen years of 
age; tall and graceful, vigorous in health, fond of 
athletic sport, an unerring shot, and enlivened with 
an exuberant flow of animal spirits. He immediately 
commenced the study of law in the city of Lancaster, 
and was admitted to the bar in 1812, when he was 
but twenty-one ) ears of age. Very rapidly he rose 
in his profession, and at once took undisputed stand 
with the ablest lawyers of the State. When but 
twenty-six years of age, unaided by counsel, he suc- 
cessfully defended before the State Senate ofe of the 
judges of the State, who was tried upon articles 01 
impeachment. At the age of thirty it was generallv 
admitted that he stood at the head of the bar; and 
there was no lawyer in the State who had a more lu- 
crative practice. 

In 1820, he reluctantly consented to run as a 
candidate for Congress. He was elected, and fo' 
ten years he remained a member of the Lower House 
During the vacations of Congress, he occasionall)' 
tried some important case. In 1831, he retired 
altogether from the toils of his profession, having ac- 
quired an ample fortune. 

Gen. Jackson, upon his elevation to the Presidency, 
appointed Mr. Buchanan minister to Russia. Tht 
duties of his mission he performed with ability, whicl 
gave satisfaction to all parties. Upon his return, ir 
1833, he was elected to a seat in the United States 
Senate. He there met, as his associates, VVel.sicr. 
Clay, \Vright and C'alhoun. He advocated tl'.e meas- 
ures proposed by President Jackson, cf'v.iiling repn- 



7" 



JAMES BUCHANAN. 



sals against France, to enforce the payment of our 
claims against that country; and defended the course 
of the President in his unprecedented and wholesale 
removal from office of those who were not the sup- 
porters of his administration. Upon this question he 
was brought into direct collision with Henry Clay. 
He also, with voice and vote, advocated expunging 
from the journal of the Senate the vote of censure 
against Gen. Jackson for removing the deposits. 
Earnestly he opposed the abolition of slavery in the 
District of Columbia, and urged the prohibition of the 
circulation of anti-slavery documents by the United 
States mails. 

As to petitions on the subject of slavery, he advo- 
cated that they should be respectfully received; and 
that the reply should be returned, that Congress had 
no power to legislate upon the subject. '' Congress," 
said he, "might as well undertake to interfere with 
slavery under a foreign government as in any of the 
States where it now exists." 

Upon Mr. Polk's accession to the Presidency, Mr. 
Buchanan became Secretary of State, and as such, 
took his share of the responsibility in the conduct of 
the Mexican War. Mr. Polk assumed that crossing 
the Nueces by the American troops into the disputed 
territory was not wrong, but for the Me.xicans to cross 
the Rio Grande into that territory was a declaration 
of war. No candid man can read with pleasure the 
account of the course our Government pursued in that 
movement 

Mr. Buchanan identified himself thoroughly with 
the party devoted to the pi^rpetuation and extension 
of slavery, and brought all the energies of his mind 
to bear against the Wilmot Proviso. He gave his 
cordial approval to the compromise measures of 1850, 
which included the fugitive-slave law. Mr. Pierce, 
upon his election to the Presidency, honored Mr. 
Buchanan with the mission to England. 

In the year 1856, a national Democratic conven- 
tion nominated Mr. Buchanan forthe Presidency. The 
political conflict was one of the most severe in which 
our country has ever engaged. All the friends of 
slavery were on one side; all the advocates of its re- 
striction and final abolition, on the other. Mr. Fre- 
mont, the candidate of the enemies of slavery, re- 
reived 114 electoral votes. Mr. Buchanan received 
r74, and was elected. The popular vote stood 
1,340,618, for Fremont, 1,224,750 for Buchanan. On 
March 4th. 1857, Mr. Buchanan was inaugurated. 

Mr. Buchanan was far advanced in life. Only four 
vears were wanting to fill up his tiireescore years and 
ten. His own friends, those with whom he had been 
allied in political principles and action for years, were 
saeking the destruction of the Government, that they 
might rear upon the ruins of our free institutions a 
nation whose corner-stone should be human slavery. 
In this emergency, Mr. Buchanan was hopelessly be- 
wildered He could not, with his long-avowed prin- 



ciples, consistently oppose the State-rights party in 
their assumptions. As President of the United Stales, 
bound by .his oath faithfully to administer the laws 
he could not, without perjury of the grossest kind, 
imite with those endeavoring to overthrow the repub- 
lic. He therefore did nothing. 

The opponents of Mr. Buchanan's administration 
nominated Abraham Lmcoln as their standard bearer 
in the next Presidential canvass. The pro-slavery 
party declared, that if he were elected, and the con- 
trol of the Government were thus taken from their 
hands, they would secede from the Union, taking 
with them, as they retired, the National Capitol at 
Washington, and the lion's share of the territory of 
the United States. 

Mr. Buchanan's sympathy with the pro-slavery 
party was such, that he had been willing to offer them 
far more than they had ventured to claim. All the 
South had professed to ask of the North was non- 
intervention upon the subject of slavery. Mr. Bu- 
chanan had been ready to offer them the active co- 
operation of the Government to defend and extend 
the institution. 

As the storm increased in violence, the slaveholders 
claiming the right to secede, and Mr. Buchanan avow- 
ing that Congress had no power to prevent it, one of 
the most pitiable exhibitions of governmental im- 
becility was exhibited the world has ever seen. He 
declared that Congress had no power to enforce its 
laws in any State which had withdrawn, or which 
was attempting to withdraw from the Union. Thif 
was not the doctrine of Andrew Jackson, when, with 
his hand upon his sword hilt, he exclaimed, "The 
Union must and sliall be preserved.'" 

South Carolina seceded in December, i860; nearly 
three months before the inauguration of President 
Lincoln. Mr. Buchanan looked on in listless despair. 
The rebel flag was raised in Charleston : Fort Sumpter 
was besieged ; our forts, navy-yaids and arsenals 
were seized ; our depots of military stores were plun- 
dered ; and our custom-houses and post-offices were 
appropriated by the rebels. 

The energy of the rebels, and the imbecility of our 
Executive, were alike marvelous. The Nation looked 
on in agony, waiting for the slow weeks to glide away, 
and close the administration, so terrible in its weak- 
ness At length the long-looked-for hour of deliver- 
ance came, when Abraham Lincoln was to receive the 
scepter. 

The administration of President Buchanan was 
certainly the most calamitous our country has ex- 
perienced. His best friends cani'.ot recall it with 
pleasure. And still more deplorable it is for his fame, 
that in that dreadful conflict which rolled its billows 
of flame and blood over our whole land, no word came 
from his lips to indicate his wisli that our countrv's 
banner should triumph over the flag of the rebellion 
He died at his Wheatland retreat, Jiine i, 1S68. 




'^ 



■Jl^ - /^,-tf. 



<:? ' G-^—i^ 



-^/o^-^c^-^ 



SIXTEENTH PRES/DEN-T. 



79 



^'^ < ABRAHAM )) - ^^ 







m^mm 



)M2iJMJ^uif 






W < LINCOLN. |> ^ 



"^J^JiM^^LMKM^, 



BRAHAM LINCOLN, the 
sixteenth President of the 
> United States, was born in 
Hardin Co., Ky., Feb. 12, 
1 809. About the year 1 7 80, a 
man by the name of Abraham 
Lincobi left Virginia with his 
fa nily and moved into the then 
wilds of Kentucky. Only two years 
after this emigration, still a young 
man, while working one day in a 
field, was stealthily approached by 
an Indian and shot dead. His widow 
was left in extreme poverty with five 
little children, three boys and two 
girls. Thomas, the youngest of the 
boys, was four years of age at his 
father's death. This Thomas was 
the father of .\braham Lincoln, the 
President of the United States 
whose name must henceforth foi^ever be enrolled 
with the most prominent in the annals of our world. 
Of course no record has been kept of the life 
of one so lowly as Thomas Lincoln. He was among 
the poorest of the poor. His home was a wretched 
log -cabin; his food the coarsest and the meanest. 
Education he had none; he could never either read 
or write. As soon as he was able to do anything for 
himself, he was compelled to leave the cabin of his 
starving mother, and push out into the world, a friend- 
less, wandering boy, seeking work. He hired him- 
self out, and thus spent the whole of his youth as a 
fcborer in the fields of others. 

When twenty-eight years of age he buill a log- 
rabin of his own, and married Nancy Hanks, the 
daughter of another family of poor Kentucky emi- 
grants, who had also come from Virginia. Their 
second child was Abraham Lincoln, the subject of 
this sketch. The mother of Abraham was a noble 
woman, gentle, loving, pensive, created to adorn 
a palace, doomed to toil and pine, and die in a hovel. 
"All that I am, or hope to be," exclaims the grate- 
ful son " I owe to my angel-mother. 

When he was eight years of age, his father sold his 



cabin and small farm, and moved to Indiar.a Whcr-- 
two years later his mother died. 

Abraham soon became the scribe of the uneducated 
community around him. He could not have had a 
better school than this to teach him to put thoughts 
into words. He also became an eager reader. The 
books he could obtain were few ; but these he "ead 
and re-read until they were almost committfH tc 
memory. 

As the years rolled on, the lot of this lowly fan.ilj 
was the usual lot of humanity. There were joys ard 
griefs, weddings and funerals. Abraham's sistf> 
Sarah, to whom he was tenderly attached, was mai 
ried when a child of but fourteen years of age, and 
soon died. The family was gradually scattered. M' 
Thomas Lincoln sold out his squatter's claim 'n 1830 
and emigrated to Macon Co., 111. 

Abraham Lincoln was then twenty-one years of age. 
With vigorous hands he aided his father in rearing 
another log-cabin. Abraham worked diligently at this 
until he saw the family comfortably settled, and theii 
small lot of enclosed prairie planted with corn, when 
he announced to his father his intention to leave 
home, and to go out into the world and seek his for- 
tune. Little did he or his friends imagine how bril- 
liant that fortune was to be. He saw the value ol 
education and was intensely earnest to improve his 
mind to the utmost of his power. He saw the ruin 
which ardent spirits were causing, and became 
strictly temperate; refusing to allow a drop of intoxi- 
cating liquor to pass his lips. And he had read in 
God's word, "Thou shalt not take the name of the 
Lord thy God in ' .1,.;" and a |)rofane expression he 
vi^as never heard to utter. Religion he revered. Hii 
morals were pure, and he was uncontaminated by a 
single vice. 

Young Abraham wotked for a time as a hired labor© 
among the farmers. Then he went to Springfield 
where he was employed in building a large flat-boat 
In this he took a herd of swine, floated them dow\ 
the Sangamon to the Illinois, and thence by the Mia 
sissippi to New Orleans. Whatever Abraham Lir 
coin undertook, he performed so faithfully as to givv 
great satisfaction to his employers. In this adven 



8o 



ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 



ture his employers were so well pleased, ihat upon 
his return tiiey placed a store and niill under his care. 

In 1832, at the outbreak of the Black Hawk war, he 
enlisted and was chosen captain of a company. He 
returned to Sangamon County, and although only 23 
years of age, was a candidate for the Legislature, but 
was defeated. He soon after received from Andrew 
Jackson the appointment of Postmaster of New Salem, 
His only post-office was his hat. All the letters he 
received he carried there ready to deliver to those 
he chanced to meet. He studied surveying, and soon 
made this his business. In 1834 he again became a 
candidate for the Legislature, and was elected Mr. 
Stuart, of Sijringfield, advised him to study law. He 
walked from New Salem to Springfield, borrowed of 
Mr. Stuart a load of books, carried them back and 
began his legal studies. When the Legislature as- 
sembled he trudged on foot with nis pack on his back 
one hundred miles to Vandalia, then the capital. In 
1836 he was re-elected to the Legislature. Here it 
was he first met Stephen A. Douglas. In 1839 he re- 
moved to Springfield and began the practice of law. 
His success with the jury was so great that he was 
soon engaged in almost every noted'case in the circuit. 

In 1854 the great discussion began between Mr. 
Lincoln and Mr. Douglas, on the slavery question. 
In the organization of the Republican party in Illinois, 
in 1856, he took an active part, and at once became 
one of the leaders in that party. Mr. Lincoln's 
speeches in opposition to Senator Douglas in the con- 
test in 1858 for a seat in the Senate, form a most 
notable part of his histoiy. The issue was on the 
ilavery question, and he took the broad ground of 
;he Declaration of Independence, that all men are 
created equal. Mr. Lincoln was defeated in this con- 
test, but won a far higher prize. 

The great Republican Convention met at Chicago 
on the i6lh of June, i860. The delegates and 
strangers who crowded tlie city amounted to twenty- 
five thousand. An immense building called "The 
Wigwam," was reared to accommodate the Conven- 
tion. There were eleven candidates for whom votes 
were thrown. William H Seward, a man whose fame 
as a statesman had long filled the land, was the most 
nrominent. It was generally supposed he would be 
tlie nominee. Abraham Lincoln, however, received 
the nomination on the third ballot. Little did he then 
dream of the weary years of toil and care, and the 
bloody death, to which that nomination doomed him : 
...nd as little did he dream that he was to render services 
to his country, which would fi.K upon him the eyes of 
the whole civilized world, and which would give him 
a place in the affections of his countrymen, second 
cnly, if second, to that of Washington. 

Election day came and Mr. Lincoln received 180 
electoral votes out of 203 cast, and was, therefore, 
constitutionally elected President of the United States. 
The tirade of abuse that was poured upon this good 



and merciful man, especially by the slaveholders, was 
greater than upon any other man ever elected to thi.^ 
high position. In February, 1861, Mr. Lincoln started 
for Washington, stopping in all the large cities on hi., 
way making speeches. The whole journey was f rough i 
with much danger. Many of the Southern States had 
already seceded, and several attempts at assassination 
were afterwards brought to light. A gang in Balti- 
more had arranged, upon his arrival to" get up a row," 
and in the confusion to make sure of his death with 
revolvers and hand-grenades. A detective unravelled 
the plot. A secret and special train was provided tc 
take him from HarrisL'urg, through Baltimore, at ar 
unexpected hour of the night. The train started al 
half-past ten ; and to prevent ai;y possible communi- 
cation on the part ot the Secessionists with their Con- 
federate gang in Baltimore, as soon as the train hau 
started the telegraph-wires were cut. Mr. Lincoln 
reached Washington in safety and was inaugurated, 
although great an.\iety was felt by all loyal people 

In the selection of his cabinet Mr. Lincoln gave 
to Mr Seward the Department of State, and to other 
prominent opponents before the convention he gave 
important positions. 

During no other administration have the duties 
devolving upon the President been so manifold, and 
the res[)onsibilities so great, as those which fell to 
the lot of President Lincoln. Knowing this, and 
feeling his own weakness and inability to meet, and in 
his own strength to cope with, the difficulties, he 
learned early to seek Divine wisdom and guidance in 
determining his plans, and Divine comfort in all his 
trial ;, bo'h personal and national Contrary to his 
own estimate of himself, Mr. Lincoln was one of the 
most courageous of men. He went directly into the 
rebel capital just as the retreating foe was leaving, 
with no guard but a few sailors. From the time he 
had left Springfield, in 1861, however, plans had been 
made f )r his assassination, and he at last fell a victim 
to oiieof thein. April 14, 1865, he, with Gen. Grant, 
was urgently invited to attend Fords' Theater. It 
was announced that they would t.e present. Gen. 
Grant, however, left the city. President Lincoln, feel- 
ing, witli his characteristic kindliness of heart, that 
it would be a disappointment if he should fail them, 
very reluctantly consented to go. W'hile listening to 
the play an actor by the name of John Wilkes Booth 
entered the box where the President and family were 
seated, and fired a bullet into his brains. He died the 
next morning at seven o'clock. 

Never before, in the history of the world was a nation 
plunged into such deep gnefby the death of its ruler. 
Strong men met in the streets and wept in speechless 
anguish. It is not too much to say that a nation was 
in tears. His was a life which will fitly become a 
model. His name as the savior of his country ■»':il 
live with that of Washington's, its father; hisct-.ntry- 
mer. being unable to decide whii 1\ is tl^e L'reater. 




J 




i^^'^j^a^^i^ 



SEVENTEENTH PRESIDENT. 



83 





NDREW JOHNSON, seven- 
teenth President of the United 
States. The early life of 
Andrew Johnson contains but 
the record of poverty, destitu- 
tion and friendlessness. He 
was born December 29, 1808, 
in Raleigh, N. C. His parents, 
belonging to the class of the 
"poor whites " of the South, were 
in such circumstances, that they 
could not c?nf:r ~ .'ei\ the slight- 
est advantages of education upon 
their child. When Andrew was five 
years of age, his father accidentally 
lost his life while herorically endeavoring to save a 
friend from drowning. T/niil ten years of age, Andrew 
was a ragged boy abouf the streets, supported by the 
labor of his mother, who obtained her living with 
her own hands. 

He then, having never attended a school one day, 
and being unable either to read or write, was ap- 
prenticed to a tailor in his native town. A gentleman 
was in the habit of going to the tailor's shop occasion- 
ally, and reading to the boys at work there. He often 
read from the speeches of distinguished British states- 
men, .i^ndrew, who was endowed with a mind of more 
than ordinary native ability, became inuch interested 
in these speeches ; his ambition was roused, and he 
was inspired with a strong desire to learn to read. 

He accordingly applied himself to the alphabet, and 
with the assistance of some of his fellow- workmen, 
learned his letters. He then called upon the gentle- 
man to borrow the book of speeches. The owner, 



pleased with his zeal, not only gave him the boon 
but assisted him in learning to combine the letters 
into words. Under such difficulties he pressed 01. 
ward laboriously, spending usually ten or twelve hours 
at work in the shop, and then robbing himself of rest 
and recreation to devote such time *s he could to 
reading. 

He went to Tennessee in 1826, and located at 
Greenville, where he married a young lady who pi>» 
sessed some education. Under her instructions he 
learned to write and cipher. He became prominent 
in the village debating society, and a favorite with 
the students of Greenville College. In 1828, he or- 
ganized a working man's party, which elected him 
alderman, and in 1830 elected him mayor, which 
position he held three years. 

He now began to take a lively interest in political 
affairs ; identifying himself with the working-classes, 
to which he belonged. In 1835, he was elected a 
member of the House of Representatives of Tennes- 
see. He was then just twenty-seven years of age, 
He became a very active member of the legislature 
gave his adhesion to the Democratic party, and in 
1840 " stumped the State," advocating Martin 1"an 
Buren's claims to the Presidency, in opposition to thos^ 
of Gen. Harrison. In this campaign he acquired much 
readiness as a speaker, and extended and increased 
his reputation. 

In 1841, he was elected State Senator; in 1843, he 
was elected a member of Congress, and by successive 
elections, held that important post for ten years. In 
1853, he was elected Governor of Tennessee, and 
was re-elected in 1855. In all these resi)onsili1e posi 
tions, he discharged his duties with distinguished abx. 



84 



ANDREW JOHNSON. 



ity, and proved himself the warm friend of the work- 
ing classes. In 1857, Mr. Johnson was elected 
United States Senator. 

Years before, in 1S45, he had warmly advocated 
the anne.Kation of Texas, stating however, as his 
'reason, that he thought this annexation would prob- 
ably prove " to be the gateway out of which the sable 
sons of Africa are to pass from bondage to freedom, 
and become merged in a population congenial to 
themselves." In 1850, he also supported the com- 
promise measures, the two essential features of which 
were, that the white people of the Territories should 
oe permitted to decide for themselves whether they 
would enslave the- colored people or not, and that 
the free States of the North should return to the 
South persons who attempted to escape from slavery. 

Mr. Johnson was neverashamedof his lowly origin: 
on the contrary, he often took pride in avowing that 
he owed his distinction to his own exertions. "Sir,'" 
said he on the floor of the Senate, " I do not forget 
that I am a mechanic ; neither do I forget that Adam 
was a tailor and sewed fig-leaves, and that our Sav- 
ior was the son of a carpenter." 

In the Charleston- Baltimore convention of iSl,o, ne 
iR^as the choice of the Tennessee Democrats for the 
Presidency. In 1861, when the purpose of the South- 
irn Democracy became apparent, he took a decided 
stand in favor of the Union, and held that " slavery 
must be held subordinate to the Union at whatever 
cost." He returned to Tennessee, and repeatedly 
imperiled his own life to protect the Unionists of 
Tennesee. Tennessee having seceded from the 
Union, President Lincoln, on March 4th, 1862, ap- 
pointed him Military Governor of the State, and he 
established the most stringent military rule. His 
numerous proclamations attracted wide attention. In 

1864, he was elected Vice-President of the United 
States, and upon the death of Mr. Lincoln, April 15, 

1865, became President. In a speech two days later 
he said, " The American people must be taught, if 
they do not already feel, that treason is a crime and 
must be c-.nished ; that the Government will not 
always beat with its enemies ; that it is strong not 
only to protect, but to punish. * * The people 
must understand that it (treason) is the blackest of 
crimes, and will surely be punished." Yet his whole 
administration, the history of which is so well known, 
was in utter ia^onsistency with, and the most violent 



opiX)sition to, the principles laid down in that speech 
In bis loose jxjlicy of reconstruction and general 
amnesty, he was opposed by Congress ; and he char 
acterized Congress as a new rebellion, and lawlessly 
defied it, in everythmg possible, to the utmost. In 
the beginning of 1868, on account of "high crimes 
and misdemeanors," the principal of which was the 
removal of Secretary Stanton, in violation of the Ten- 
ure of Office Act, articles of impeachment were pre- 
ferred against him, and the trial began March 23. 
It was very tedious, continuing for nearly three 
months. A test article of the impeachment was at 
length submitted to the court for its action. It was 
certain that as the court voted upon that article so 
would it vote upon all. Thirty-four voices pronounced 
the President guilty. As a two-thirds vote was neces- 
sary to his condemnation, he was pronounced ac- 
quitted, notwithstanding the great majority against 
him. The change of one vote from the not guilty 
side would have sustained the impeachment. 

The President, for the remainder of his term, was 
but little regarded. He continued, though impotentl;-, 
his conflict with Congress. His own party did not 
think it expedient to renominate him for the Presi- 
dency. The Nation rallied, with enthusiasm unpar- 
alleled since the day s of Washington, around the name 
of Gen. Grant. Andrew Johnson was forgotten 
The bullet of the assassin introduced him to the 
President's chair. Notwithstanding this, never was 
there presented to a man a better opportunity to im- 
mortalize his name, and to win the gratitude of a 
nation. He failed utterly. He retired to his home 
in Greenville, Tenn., taking no very active part in 
politics until 1875 On Jan. 26, after an exciting 
struggle, he was chosen by the Legislature of Ten- 
nessee, United States Senator in the forty-fourth Con- 
gress, and took his seat in that body, at the special 
session convened by President Grant, on the 5th of 
March. On the 27th of July, 1875, the ex-President 
made a visit to his daughter's home, near Carter 
Station, Tenn. When he started on his journey, he was 
apparently in his usual vigorous healtli, but on reach- 
ing the residence of his child the following day, was 
stricken with paralysis, rendering him unconscious. 
He rallied occasirnally, but finally passed away at 
2 A.M., July 31, aged sixty-seven years. His fun- 
eral was attended at Geenville, on the 3d of August, 
with every demonstration of respect 




'/- (2 



EIGHTEENTH PRESIDENT. 



^^^^i^^K®m^>^^ 







LYSSES S. GRANT, the 

i^ eif^hteenth President of the 

?' United States, was born on 

the 29th of April, 1822, of 

Christian parents, in a humble 

' '^SL^^WJ''' home, at Point Pleasant, on the 
i.J^ banks of the Ohio. Shortly after 
his father moved to George- 
town, Brown Co., O. In this re- 
mote frontier hamlet, Ulysses 
received a common-school edu- 
cation. At the age of seven- 
teen, in the year 1839, he entered 
the Military Academy at West 
Point. Here he was regarded as a 
solid, sensible young man of fair abilities, and of 
sturdy, honest character. He took respectable rank 
as a scholar. In June, 1843, he graduated, about the 
middle in his class, and was sent as lieutenant of in- 
fantry to one of the distant military posts in the Mis- 
souri Territory. Two years he past in these dreary 
solitudes, watching the vagabond and exasperating 
Indians. 

The war with Mexico came, Lieut. Grant was 
;ent with his regiment to Corpus Christi. His first 
battle was at Palo Alto. There was no chance here 
for the exhibition of either skill or heroism, nor at 
Resaca de la Pahna, his second battle. At the battle 
of Monterey, his third engagement, it is said that 
he performed a signal service of daring and skillful 
horsemanship. His brigade had exhausted its am- 
munition. A messenger must be sent for more, along 
a route exposed to the bullets of the foe. Lieut. 
Grant, adopting an expedient learned of the Indians, 
grasped the mane of his horse, and hanging \\\ior\ one 
side of the anin^^iil, ran the gauntlet in entire safety. 



^^^^-^rmfs^r^^^k/^^ 



From Monterey he was sent, with the fourth infantry, 
10 aid Gen. Scott, at the siege of Vera Cruz. In 
preparation for the march to the city of Mexico, he 
was appointed quartermaster of his regiment. At the 
battle of Molino del Rey, he was promoted to a 
first lieutenancy, and was brevetted captain at Cha- 
pultepec. 

At the close of the Mexican War, Capt. Grant re- 
turned with his regiment to New York, and was again 
sent to one of the military posts on the frontier. The 
discovery of gold in California causing an immense 
tide of emigration to flow to the Pacific shores, Capt. 
Grant was sent with a battalion to Fort Dallas, in 
Oregon, for the protection of the interests of the im- 
migrants. Life was wearisome in those wilds. Capt. 
Grant resigned his commission and returned to the 
States; and having married, entered upon the cultiva- 
tion of a small farm near St. Louis, Mo. He had but 
little skill as a farmer. Finding his toil not re- 
munerative, he turned to mercantile life, entering into 
the leather business, with a younger brother, at Ga- 
lena, 111. This was in the year i860. As the tidings 
of the rebels firing on Fort Sumpter reached the ears 
of Capt. Grant in his counting-room, he said, — 
"Uncle Sam has educated me for the army: though 
I have served him through one war, I do not feel that 
I have yet repaid the debt. I am still ready to discfiarge 
my obligations. I shall therefore buckle on my tword 
and see Uncle Sam through this war too." 

He went into the streets, raised a company of vol- 
unteers, and led them as their captain to Springfield, 
the capital of the State, where their services were 
offered to Gov. Yates. The Governor, impressed by 
the zeal and straightforward executive ability of Capt. 
Grant, gave him a desk in his office, to assist in the 
volunteer organization that was being formed in the 
State in behalf of the Government. On the !■;■'- cf 



'tTL vsi'S^'T'ffJfTJrT. 



June, 1861, Capt. Grant received a commission as 
Colonel of the Twenty-first Regiment of Illinois Vol- 
unteers. His merits as a West Point graduate, who 
had served for 15 years in the regular army, were such 
that he was soon promoted to the rank of Brigadier- 
General and was placed in command at Cairo. The 
rebels raised their banner at Paducah, near the mouth 
of the Tennessee River. Scarcely had its folds ap- 
peared in the breeze ere Gen. Grant was there. The 
rebels fled. Their banner fell, and the star and 
stripes were unfurled in its stead. 

He entered the service with great determination 
and immediately began active duty. This was the be- 
ginning, and until the surrender of Lee at Richmond 
he was ever pushing the enemy with great vigor and 
effectiveness. At Belmont, a few days later, he sur- 
prised and routed the rebels, then at Fort Henry 
won another victory. Then came the brilliant fight 
at Fort Donelson. The nation was electrified by the 
victory, and the brave leader of the boys in blue was 
immediately made a Major-General, and the military 
iistrict of Tennessee was assigned to him. 

Like all great captains, Gen. Grant knew well how 
to secure the results of victory. He immediately 
pushed on to the enemies' lines. Then came the 
terrible battles of Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, and the 
siege of Vicksburg, where Gen. Pemberton made an 
unconditional surrender of the city with over thirty 
thousand men and one-hundred and seventy-two can- 
non. The fall of Vicksburg was by far the most 
severe blow which the rebels had thus far encountered, 
and opened up the Mississippi from Cairo to the Gulf. 

Gen. Grant was next ordered to co-operate with 
Gen. Banks in a movement uport Texas, and pro- 
ceeded to New Orleans, where he was thrown from 
his horse, and received severe injuries, from which he 
was laid up for months. He then rushed to the aid 
of Gens. Rosecrans and Thomas at Chattanooga, and 
by a wonderful series of strategic and technical meas- 
ures put the Union Army in fighting condirion. Then 
followed the bloody battles at Chattanooga, Lookout 
Mountain and Missionary Ridge, in which the rebels 
were routed with great loss. This won for him un- 
bounded praise in the North. On the 4th of Febru- 
ary, 1864, Congress revived the grade of lieutenant- 
general, and the rank was conferred on Gen. Grant. 
He repaired to Washington to receive his credentials 
and enter upon tb^ duties of his new office 



Gen. Grant decided as soon as he took charge ol 
the army to concentrate the widely-dispersed National 
troops for an attack upon Richmond, the nominal 
capital of the Rebellion, and endeavor there to de- 
stroy the rebel armies which would be promptly as- 
sembled from all quarters for its defence. The whole 
continent seemed to tremble under the tramp of these 
majestic armies, rushing to the decisive battle field. 
Steamers were crowded with troops. Railway trains 
were burdened with closely packed thousands. His 
plans were comprehensive and involved a series of 
campaigns, which were executed with remarkable en- 
ergy and ability, and were consummated at the sur- 
render of Lee, April 9, 1865. 

The war was ended. The Union was saved. The 
almost unanimous voice of the Nation declared Gen. 
Grant to be the most prominent instrument in its sal- 
vation. The eminent services he had thus rendered 
the country brought him conspicuously forward as the 
Republican candidate for the Presidential chair. 

At the Republican Convention held at Chicago. 
May 21, 1868, he was unanimously nominated for the 
Presidency, and at the autumn election received a 
majority of the popular vote, and 214 out of 294 
electoral votes. 

The National Convention of the Republican party 
which met at Philadelphia on the 5th of June, 1872, 
placed Gen. Grant in nomination for a second term 
by a unanimous vote. The selection was emphati- 
cally indorsed by the people five months later, 292 
electoral votes being cast for him. 

Soon after the close of his second term. Gen. Grant 
started upon his famous trip around the world. He 
visited almost every country of the civilized world, 
and was everywhere received with such ovations 
and demonstrations of respect and honor, private 
as well as public and official, as were never before 
bestowed upon any citizen of the United States. 

He was the most prominent candidate before the 
Republican National Convention in 1880 for a re- 
nomination for President. He went to New York and 
embarked in the brokerage business under the firm 
nameof Grant & Ward. The latter proved a villain, 
wrecked Grant's fortune, and for larceny was sent to 
the penitentiary. The General was attacked with 
cancer in the throat, but suffered in his stoic-like 
manner, never complaining. He was re-instated as 
General of the Army and retired by Congress. The 
cancer soon finished its deadly work, and July 23, 
1885, the nation went in mourning over the death of 
the illustrious General. 




i ^ 'L--^ O 



r 



NINETEENTH TRESIDENT. 



9« 




^1^ 








UTHERFORD B. HAYES, 
the nineteenth President of 
the United States, was born in 
Delaware, O., Oct. 4, 1822, al- 
most three months after the 
^ death of his father, Rutherford 
Hayes. His ancestry on both 
the paternal and maternal sides, 
was of the most honorable char- 
acter. It can be traced, it is said, 
as far back as 1280, when Hayes and 
Rutherford were two Scottish chief- 
tains, fighting side by side with 
Baliol, William Wallace and Robert 
Bruce. Both families belonged to the 
nobility, owned extensive estates, 
and had a large following. Misfor- 
cane cvt;t<aking the family, George Hayes left Scot- 
land ill 1680, and settled in Windsor, Conn. His son 
George was born in Windsor, and remained there 
during his life. Daniel Hayes, son of the latter, mar- 
ried Sarah Lee, and lived from the time of his mar- 
riage until his death in Simsbury, Conn. Ezekiel, 
son of Daniel, was born in 1724, and was a manufac- 
turer of scythes; at Bradford, Conn. Rutherford Hayes, 
son of Ezekiel ai/d grandfather of President Hayes, was 
born in New Haven, in August, 1756. He was a fanner, 
blacksmith and tavern-keeper. He emigrated to 
Vermont at an ui.known date, settling in Brattleboro, 
where he established a hotel. Here his son Ruth- 
erford Hayes the father of President Hayes, was 



born. He was married, in September, 1813, to Sophia 
Birchard, of Wilmington, Vt., whose ancestors emi- 
grated thither from Connecticut, they having been 
among the wealthiest and best famlies of Norwich. 
Her ancestry on the male side are traced back to 
1635, to John Birchard, one of the principal founders 
of Norwich. Both of her grandfathers were soldiers 
in the Revolutionary War. 

The father of President Hayes was an industrious, 
frugal and opened-hearted man. He was of a me- 
chanical turn, and could mend a plow, knit a stock- 
ing, or do almost anything else that he choose to 
undertake. He was a member of the Church, active 
in all the benevolent enterprises of the town, and con- 
ducted his business on Christian principles. After 
the close of the war of 181 2, for reasons inexplicable 
to his neighbors, he resolved to emigrate to Ohio. 

The journey from Vermont to Ohio in that day 
when there were no canals, steamers, noi railways, 
was a very serious affair. A tour of inspection was 
first made, occupying four months. Mr. Hayes deter 
mined to move to Delaware, where the family arrived 
in 1817. He died July 22, 1822, a victim of malarial 
fever, less than three months before the birth of the 
son, of whom we now write. Mrs. Hayes, in her sore be- 
reavement, found the support she so much needed in 
her brother Sardis, who had been a member of the 
household from the day of its departure from Ver- 
mont, and in an orphan girl whom she had adopted 
some time before as an act of charity. 

Mrs. Hayes at this period was very weak, and the 



RUTHERFORD B. HAYES. 



subject of this sketch was so feeble at birtli that he 
was not expected to live beyond a month or two at 
most. As the months went by he grew weaker and 
weaker, so that the neighbors were in the habit of in- 
quiring from time to time " if Mrs. Hayes' baby died 
last night." On one occasion a neighbor, who was on 
fAmiliar terms with the family, after alluding to the 
'boy's big head, and the mother's assiduous care of 
'*iim, said in a bantering way, " That's right! Stick to 
him. You have got him along so far, and I shouldn't 
wonder if he would really come to something yet." 

" You need not laugh," said Mrs. Hayes. " You 
'vait and see. You can't tell but I shall make him 
President of the United States yet." The boy lived, 
in spite of the universal predictions of his speedy 
death; and when, in 1825, his older brother was 
drowned, he became, if possible, still dearer to his 
mother. 

The boy was seven years old before he w<:nt to 
school. His education, however, was not neglected. 
He probably learned as much from his mother and 
tister as he would have done at school. His sports 
were almost wholly within doors, his playmates being 
his sister and her associates. These circumstances 
tended, no doul)t, to foster that gentleness of dispo- 
sition, and that delicate consideration for the feelings 
of others, which are marked traits of his character. 

His uncle Sardis Birchard took the deepest interest 
in his education ; and as the boy's health had im- 
proved, and he was making good progress in his 
studies, he proposed to send him to college. His pre- 
paration commenced with a tutor at home; but he 
was afterwards sent for one year to a professor in the 
Wesleyan University, in Middletown, Conn. He en- 
tered Kenyon College in 1838, at the age of sixteen, 
and was graduated at the head of his class in 1842. 

Immediately after his graduation he began the 
study of law in the office of Thomas Sparrow, Esq., 
in Columbus. Finding his opportunities for study in 
Columbus somewhat limited, he determined to enter 
the Law School at Cambridge, Mass., where he re- 
mained two years. 

In 1 845 , after graduatmg at the Law School, he was 
admitted to the bar at Marietta, Ohio, and shortly 
afterward went into practice as an attorney-at-law 
with Ralph P. Buckland, of Fremont. Here he re- 
mained three years, acquiring but a limited practice, 
and apparently unambitious of distinction in his pro- 
Cession. 

\n 1849 he nioved to Cincmnati, where his ambi- 
tion found a new stimulus. For several years,_ how- 
ever, his progress was slow. Two events, occurring at 
this period, had a powerful influence upon his subse- 
quent ''.fe. One of these was his marrage with Miss 
Lucy Ware Webb, daughter of Dr. James Webb, of 
Chilicothe; the othei was his introduction to the Cin- 
cinnati Literary Club, a body embracing among its 
members such men as'^hief Justice SalmonJ?jChase^ 



Gen. John Pope, Gov. Edward F. Noyes, and many 
others hardly less distinguished in after life. The 
marriage was a fortunate one in every respect, as 
everybody knows. Not one of all the wives of our 
Presidents was more universally admired, reverenced 
and beloved ihan was Mrs. Hayes, and no one did 
more than she to reflect honor upon American woman 
hood. The Literary Chiu brought Mr. Hayes into 
constant association with young men of high char- 
acter and noble aims, and lured him to display the 
qualities so long hidden by his bashfulne:s and 
modesty. 

In 1856 he was nominated to the office of Judjjs of 
the Court of Common Pleas; but he declined to ac. 
cept the nomination. Two years later, the office ol 
city solicitor becoming vacant, the City Council 
elected him ioi the unexpired term. 

In 1 861, when the Rebellion broke out, he was at 
tne zenith of his professional Vf,. His rank at the 
bar was among the the first. But the news of the 
attack on Fort Sumpter found him eager to take 'id 
arms for the defense of his connfry. 

His military record was bright and illustrious. In 
October, 1861, he was made Lit-utenant-Colonel, and 
in August, 1862, promoted Colonel of the 79th Ohio 
regiment, but he refused to leave his old comrades 
and go among strangers. Subsequently, however, he 
was made Colonel of his old regiment. At the battle 
of South Mountain 'ne received a wound, and while 
faint and bleeding displayed courage and fortitude 
that won admiration from all. 

Col. Hayes was detached from his regiment, after 
his recovery, to act as Brigadier-General, and placed 
in command of the celebrated Kanawha division, 
and for gallant and meritorious services in the battles 
of Winchester, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek, he was 
promoted Brigadier-General. He was also brevetied 
Major-General, "forgallant and distirguishtd services 
during the campaigns of 1864, in West Virginia." In 
the course of his arduous services, four horses were 
shot from under him, and he was wounded four times 

In 1864, Gen. Hayes was elected to Congress, from 
the Second Ohio District, which had long been Dem- 
ocratic. He was not present during the campaign, 
and after his election was importuned to resign his 
commission in the army ; but he finally declared, " I 
shall never come to Washington until I can come liy 
the way of Richmond." He was re-elected in 1866. 

Ir. 1867, Gen Hayes was elected Governor of Oliio, 
over Hon. Allen G. Thurman, a populai Democrat. 
In 1869 was re-elected over George H. Pendleton. 
He was elected Governor for the third term in 1875. 

in 1876 he was the standard bearer of the Repub- 
lican Party in the Presidential contest, and after a 
hard long contest was chosen President; and was in 
augurated Monday, March 5, 1875. He served hi9 
full term, not, h.ewever, with satisfaction to his party, 
but his admiiivstration was an average o:\^ 



«--^ 





tH^^T/ 



TiVENTIETIl PRESIDENT. 



95 




^'^ I JAIME'S A, G:AKFI_ELI). | k«- 

*-si$*$,^*^''e#* -s^^ $^^ *«•- *«^ ^"S* s** ^*$ s^s»^ ?#5 $«>^$»$ -♦g'$«> 






AMES A. GARFIELD, twen- 
tieth President of the United 
Suites, was born Nov. 19, 
1831, in the woods of Orange, 
Cuyahoga Co., O His par- 
ents were Abram and Eliza 
iiallou) Garfield, both of New 
England ancestry and from fami- 
lies well known in the early his- 
'^ tory of that section of our coun- 
try, but had moved to the Western 
Reserve, in Ohio, early in its settle- 
ment. 

The house in which James A. was 
born was not unlike the houses of 
{ poor Ohio farmers of that day. It 
.liS about 20x30 feet, built of logs, with the spaces be- 
ween the logs filled with clay. His father was a 
lard working farmer, and he soon had his fields 
,;leared, an orchard planted, and a log barn built. 
x"he household comprised the father and mother and 
heir four children — Mehetabel, Thomas, Mary and 
anies. In May, 1823, the father, from a cold con- 
./acted in helping to put out a forest fire, died. At 
fhis time James was about eighteen months old, and 
Thomas about ten years old. No one, jjerhaps, can 
fell how much James was inde, ted to his biotlier's 
ceil and self sacrifice during the twenty years suc- 
ceeding his father's death, but undoubtedly very 
much. He now lives in Michigan, and the two sis- 
ters live in Solon, O., near tlieir birthplace. 

The early educational advantages young Garfield 
enjoyed were very limited, yet he made the most of 
them. He labored at farm work for others, did car- 
penter work, chopped wood, or did anything that 
would bring in a few dollars to aid his widowed 
mother in he' 'Struggles to keep the little family to- 



gether. Nor was Gen. Garfield ever ashamed of his 
origin, and he never forgot the friends of his strug- 
gling childhood, youth and manhood, neither did they 
ever forget him. When in the highest seats of honor, 
the humblest fiiend of his boyliood was as kindly 
greeted as ever. Tlie poorest laborer was sure of the 
sympathy of one who had known all the bitterness 
of want and the sweetness of bread earned by the 
sweat of the brow. He was ever the simple, plain, 
modest gentleman. 

The highest ambition of young Garfield until ha 
was about sixteen years old was to be a captain of 
a vessel on Lake Erie. He was anxious to go aboard 
a vessel, which his mother strongly opposed. She 
finally consented to his going to Cleveland, with the 
understanding, however, that he should try to obtair 
some other kind of employment. He walked all the 
way to Cleveland. This was his first visit to the city 
Af.er making many applications for work, and trying 
to get aboard a lake vessel, and not meeting with 
success, he engaged as a driver for his cousin, Amos 
Letcher, on the Ohio & Pennsylvania Canal. He re- 
mained at this work but a short time when he wen'; 
home, and attended the seminary at Chester for 
about three years, when he entered Hiram and the 
Eclectic Institute, teaching a few terms of school in 
the meantime, and doing other work. This school 
was started by the Disciples of Christ in 1850, of 
which church he was then a member. He became 
janitor and bell-ringer in order to help pay his way 
He then became both teacher and pupil. He soon 
" exiiausted Hiram " and needed more ; hence, in the 
fall of 1854, he entered Williams College, from which 
he graduated in 1856, taking one of the highest h»,- 
ors of his class. He afterwards returned to Hiram 
College as its President. As above stated, he early 
united with the Christian or Diciples Church at 
Hiram, and was ever after a devoted, zealous mem- 
ber, often preaching in its pulpit and places where 
he happened to be. Dr. Noah Porter, President of 
Yale College, says of him in reference to liis religion : 



90 



JAMES A. GARFIELD. 



" President Garfield was more than a man of 
strong moral and religious convictions. His whole 
history, from boyhood to the last, shows that duty to 
man and to God, and devotion to Christ and life and 
faith and spiritual commission were controlling springs 
of his being, and to a more than usual degree. In 
my judgment there is no more interesting feature of 
his character than his loyal allegiance to the body of 
Christians in which he was trained, and the fervent 
sympathy which he ever showed in their Christian 
communion. Not many of the few 'wise and mighty 
and noble who are called' show a similar loyalty to 
the less stately and cultured Christian comnmnions 
in which they have been reared. Too often it is true 
that as they step upward in social and political sig- 
nificance they step upward from one degree to 
another in some of the many types of fashionable 
Christianity. President Garfield adhered to the 
church of his mother, the church in which he was 
trained, and in which he served as a pillar and an 
evangelist, and yet with the largest and most unsec- 
larian charity for all 'who loveour Lord in sincerity.'" 

Mr. Garfield was united in marriage with Miss 
Lucretia Rudolph, Nov. ii, 1858, who proved lierself 
worthy as the wife of one whom all the world loved and 
mourned. To them were born seven children, five of 
whom are still living, four boys and one girl. 

Mr. Garfieldmade his first political speeches in 1856, 
in Hiram and the neighboring villages, and three 
years later he began to speak at county mass-meet- 
ings, and became the favorite speaker wherever he 
was. During this year he was elected to the Ohio 
Senate. He also began to study law at Cleveland, 
and in 1 86 1 was admitted to the bar. The great 
Rebellion broke out in the early part of this year, 
and Mr. Garfield at once resolved to fight as he had 
talked, and enlisted to defend the old flag. He re- 
ceived his commission as Lieut. -Colonel of the Forty- 
second Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Aug. 
14, i86r. He was immediately put into active ser- 
vice, and before he had ever seen a gun fired in action, 
was placed in command of four regiments of infantry 
and eight companies of cavalry, charged with the 
work of driving out of his native State the officer 
'^Humphrey Marshall) reputed to be the ablest of 
those, not educated to war whom Kentucky had given 
to the Rebellion. This work was bravely and speed- 
ily accomplished, although against great odds. Pres- 
ident Lincoln, on his success commissioned him 
Brigadier-General, Jan. 10, 1862; and as "he had 
been the youngest man in the Ohio Senate two years 
before, so now he was the youngest General in the 
army." He was with Gen. Buell's army at Shiloh, 
in itsoperations around Corinth and its march through 
Alabama. He was then detailed as a member of the 
General Court-Martial for the trial of Gen. Fitz-John 
Porter. He was then ordered to report to Gen. Rose- 
crans, and was assigned to the "Chief of Staff." 

The military bistory of Gen. Garfield closed with 



his brilliant services at Chi'ckamauga, where he won 
the stars of the Major-General. 

Without an effort on his part GeB Garfield wa» 
elected to Congress in the fall of 1862 from the 
Nineteenth District of Ohio. This section of Ohio 
had been represented in Congress for si.xty years 
mainly by two men — Elisha Whittlesey and Joshut, 
R. Giddings. It was not without a struggle that he 
resigned his place in the army. At the time he en- 
tered Congress he was the youngest member in that 
body. Thert; he remained by successive re- 
elections until he was elected President in 1880. 
Of his labors in Congress Senator Hoar says : " Since 
the year 1864 you cannot think of a question whicii 
has been debated in Congress, or discussed before a 
tribunel of the American people, in regard to whict 
you will not find, if you wish mstruction, the argu. 
ment on one side stated, in almost every instance 
better than by anybody else, in some speech made in 
the House of Representatives or on the hustings by 
Mr. Garfield." 

Upon Jan. 14, 1880, Gen. Garfield was elected to 
the U. S. Senate, and on the eighth of June, of the 
same year, was nominated as the candidate of his 
party for President at the great Chicago Convention. 
He was elected in the following November, and on 
March 4, 1881, was inaugurated. Probably no ad- 
ministration ever opened its existence under brighter 
auspices than that of President Garfield, and every 
day it grew in favor with the people, and by the first 
of July he had completed all the initiatory and pre- 
liminary work of his administration and was prepar- 
ing to leave the city to meet his friends at Williams 
College. While on his way and at the depot, in com- 
pany with Secretary Blaine, a man stepped behind 
him, drew a revolver, and fired directly at his back. 
The President tottered and fell, and as he did so the 
assassin fired a second shot, the bullet cutting the 
left coat sleeve of his victim, but inflicting no further 
injury. It has been very truthfully said that this was 
" the shot that was heard round the world " Never 
before in the history of the Nation had anything oc- 
curred which so nearly froze the blood of the people 
for the moment, as this awful deed. He was smit- 
ten on the brightest, gladdest day of all his life, and 
was at the summit of his power and hope. For eighty 
days, all during the hot months of July and August, 
he lingered and suffered. He, however, remained 
master of himself till the last, and by his magnificent 
bearing was teaching the countr}' and the world the 
noblest of human lessons — how to live grandly in the 
very clutch of death. Great in life, he was surpass- 
ingly great in death. He passed serenely away Sept. 
19, 1883, at Elberon, N. J., on the very bank of the 
ocean, where he had been taken shortly previous. The 
world wept at his death, as it never had done on the 
death of any other man who had ever lived upon it. 
The murderer was duly tried, found guilty and exe- 
cuted, in one year after he committed the fou? deed. 




^---f. 



^ V .) 



TWBNTY.FIRST PRESIDENT. 



S: vAiWW^:^^ :ik. j\R'F:r(inR. --K 



^ 



'£r 



^ 



w 




HESTER A. ARTHUR, 

twenty-first Presi'^.^m of the 

United States was born in 

Franklin Cour ty, Vermont, on 

the fifth of Oc'ober, 1830, and is 

the oldest of a family of two 

sons and five daughters. His 

father was the Rev Dr. William 

Arthur, aBaptistd^rgymanjWho 

emigrated to tb.s countr)' frorn 

the county Ant.im, Ireland, in 

his 18th year, and died in 1875, in 

Newtonville, neai Albany, after a 

long and successful ministry. 

Young Arthur was educated at 
Union College, S( henectady, where 
he excelled in all his studies. Af- 
ter his graduation he taught school 
in Vermont for two years, and at 
the expiration of that time came to 
New York, with $500 in his ]X)cket, 
and ei>tered the office of ex-Judge 
E. D. Culver as student. After 
being admitted to the bar he formed 
a partnership with his intimate friend and room-mate, 
Henry D. Gardiner, with the intention of practicing 
in the West, and for three months they roamed about 
in the Western Slates in search of an eligible site, 
but in the end returned to New York, where they 
hung out their shingle, and entered upon a success- 
ful career almost from the start. General Arthur 
soon afterward >ttfLrr'''d the daughter of Lieutenant 



Herndon, of the United States Navy, who was lost at 
sea Congress voted a gold medal to his widow in 
recognition of the bravery he displayed on that occa- 
sion. Mrs. Arthur died shortly before Mr. Arthur's 
nomination to the Vice Presidency, leaving two 
children. 

Gen. Arthur obtained considerable legal celebrity 
in his first great case, the famous Lemmon suit, 
brought to recover possession of eight slaves who had 
been declared free by Judge Paine, of the Superior 
Court of New York City. It was in 1852 that Jon- 
athan Lemmon, of Virginia, went to New York with 
his slaves, intending to ship them to Texas, when 
they were discovered and freed. The Judge decided 
that they could not be held by the owner under the 
Fugitive Slave Law. A howl of rage went up from 
the South, and the Virginia Legislature authorized the 
Attorney General of that State to assist in an appeal. 
Wra. M. Evarts and Chester A. Arthur were employed 
to represent the People, and they won their case, 
which then went to the Supreme Court of the United 
States. Charles O'Conor here espoused the cause 
of the slave-holders, but he too was beaten by Messrs 
Evarts and Arthur, and a long step was taken toward 
the emancipation of the black race. 

Another great service was rendered by General 
Arthur in the same cause in 1856. Lizzie Jennings, 
a respectable colored woman, was put off a Fourth 
Avenue car with violence after she had paid her fare, 
General Arthur sued on her behalf, and secured a 
verdict of $500 damages. The next day the compa- 
ny issued an order to admit colored persons to ride 
on their cars, and the other car companies quickly 



CHESTER A. ARTffUR. 



followed their example. Before that the Sixth Ave- 
nue Company ran a few special cars for colored per- 
sons and the other lines refused to let them ride at all. 

General Arthur was a delegate to the Convention 
at Saratoga that founded the Republican party. 
Previous to the war he was Judge-Advocate of the 
Second Brigade of the State of New York, and Gov- 
ernor Morgan, of that State, appointed him Engineer- 
in-Chief of his staff. In 1861, he was made Inspec- 
tor General, and soon afterward became Quartermas- 
ter-General. In each of these offices he rendered 
great service to the Government during the war. At 
the end of Governor Morgan's term he resumed the 
practice of the law, forming a partnership with Mr. 
Ransom, and then Mr. Phelps, the District Attorney 
of New York, was added to the firm. The legal prac- 
tice of this well-known firm was very large and lucra- 
tive, each of the gentlemen composing it were able 
lawyers, and possessed a splendid local reputation, if 
not indeed one of national extent. 

He always took a leading part in State and city 
politics. He was appointed Collector of the Port of 
New York by President Grant, Nov. 2\ 1872, to suc- 
ceed Thomas Murphy, and held the office until July, 
?o, 1 87 8, when he was succeeded by Collector Merritt. 

Mr. Arthur was nominated on the Presidential 
ticket, with Gen. James A. Garfield, at the famous 
National Republican Convention held at Chicago in 
June, 1880. This was perhaps the greatest political 
convention that ever assembled on thecontinent. It 
was composed of the 'fading politicians of the Re- 
publican party, all able men, and each stood firm and 
fought vigorously and with signal tenacity for their 
respective candidates that were before the conven- 
tion for the nomination. Finally Gen. Garfield re- 
ceived the nomination for President and Gen. Arthur 
for Vice-President. The campaign which followed 
was one of the most animated known in the history of 
our country. Gen. Hancock, the standard-bearer of 
the Democratic party, was a popular man, and his 
party made a valiant fight for his election. 

Finally the election came and the country's choice 
was Garfield and Arthur. They were inaugurated 
iVlarch 4, r88[, as President and Vice President. 
K few months only had passed ere the newly chosen 
President was the victim of the assassin's bullet. Then 
came terrible weeks of suffering, — those moments of 
anxious suspense, when the hearts of all civilized na- 



tions were throbbing in unison, longing for the re 
covery of the noble, the good President. The remark- 
able patience that he manifested during those hours 
and weeks, and even months, of the most terrible suf- 
fering man has often been called upon to endure, was 
seemingly more than human. It was certainly God- 
like. During all this period of deepest anxiety Mr, 
Arthur's every move was watched, and be it said to his 
credit that his every action displayed only an earnest 
desire that the suffering Garfield might recover, to 
serve the remainder of the term he had so auspi- 
ciously begun. Not a selfish feeling was manifested 
in deed or look of this man, even though the most 
honored position in the world was at any moment 
likely to fall to him. 

At last God in his mercy relieved President Gar- 
field from further suffering, and the world, as nevei 
before in its history over the death of any othei 
man, wept at his bier. Then it became the duty o' 
the Vice President to ;.ssume the responsibilities ol 
the high office, and he took the oath in New York. 
Sept. 20, 1881. The position was an embarrassing 
one to him, made doubly so from the facts that all 
eyes were, on him, anxious to know what he would do, 
what policy he would pursue, and who he would se- 
lect as advisers. The duties of the office had been 
greatly neglected during the President's long illness, 
and many important measures were to be immediately 
decided by him; and still farther to embarrass him he 
did not fail to realize under what circumstances he 
became President, and knew the feelings of many on 
this point. Under these trying circumstances President 
Arthur took the reins of the Government in his owi. 
hands; and, as embarrassing as were the condition o-f 
affair.- lie happily surprised the nation, acting so 
wiseW hat but few criticisea Ws administration. 
He served the nation well and faithfully, until the 
close of his administration, March 4, 1885, and was 
a popular candidate before his party for a second 
term. His name was ably presented before the con- 
vention at Chicago, and was received with great 
favor, and doubtless but for the personal popularity 
of one of the opposing candidates, he would have 
been selected as the standard-bearer of his party 
for another campaign. He retired to private life car- 
rying with him the best wishes of the American peo- 
ple, whom he had served in a manner satisfactory 
to them and with credit to himself. 




l-Crt^^ 



(l/^^z5-/^ t/t^ 



TWENTY-SECOND PRESIDENT. 



«°3 




x^mx ffle^elaud. 



#^;!&#^ig«^is<^;;g<^ig#$;-;e#s:s«^::;r^s;s>5^;:;$*$;!:^i^gtg^$^^ 



^^IVX//^^^ 





FKPHEN GROVER CLEVE- 
I, AND, the twenty- second Pres- 
cient of the United States, was 
orn in 1837, in the obscure 
town of Caldwell, Essex Co., 
N. J., and in a little tvvo-and-a- 
half-story white house which is still 
standing, characteristically to mark 
the humble birth-place of one of 
America's great men in striking con- 
trast with the Old World, where all 
men high in office must be high in 
origin and born jn the cradle of 
wealth. When the subject of this 
sketch was three years of age, his 
father, who was a Presbyterian min- 
ister, with a large family and a small salary, moved, 
by way of the Hudson River and Erie Canal, to 
Fayetteville, in search of an increased income and a 
larger field of work. Fayetteville was then the most 
straggling of country villages, about five miles from 
Pompey Hill, where Governor Seymour was born. 

At the last mentioned place young Grover com- 
menced going to school in the "good, old-fashioned 
way," and presumably distinguished himself after the 
manner of all village boys, in doing the things he 
ought not to do. Such is the distinguishing trait of 
all geniuses and independent thinkers. When he 
arrived at the age of 14 years, he had outgrown the 
capacity of the village school and expressed a most 



emphatic desire to be sent to an academy. To this 

his father decidedly objected. Academies in those 
days cost money; besides, his father wanted him to 
become self-supix)rting by the quickest possible 
means, and this at that time in Fayetteville seemed 
to be a position in a country store, where his father 
and the large family on his hands had considerable 
influence. Grover was to be paid $50 for his services 
the first year, and if he proved trustworthy he was to 
receive $100 the second year. Here the lad com- 
menced his career as salesman, and in two years he 
had earned so good a reputation for trustworthiness 
that his employers desired to retain him for an in., 
definite length of time. Otherwise he did not ex- 
hibit as yet any particular " flashes of genius " or 
eccentricities of talent. He was simply a good boy. 
But instead of remaining with this firm in Fayette- 
ville, he went with the family in their removal to 
Clinton, where he had an opportunity of attending a 
high school. Here he industriously pursued his 
studies until the family removed with him to a point 
on Black River known as the " Holland Patent," a 
village of 500 or 600 people, 15 miles north of Utica, 
N. Y. At this place his father died, after preaching 
but three Sundays. This event broke up the family, 
and Grover set out for New York City to accept, at a 
small salary, the position of " under-teacher " in an 
asylum for the blind. He taught faithfully for two 
years, and although he obtained a good reputation in 
this capacity, he concluded that teaching was not his 



S. GROYER CLKVhLAND. 



calling for life, and, reversing the traditiona.1 order, 
he left the city to seek his fortune, instead of going 
to a city. He first thought of Cleveland, Ohio, as 
thi^re was some charm ia that name for him ; but 
before proceeding to that place he went to Buffalo to 
tsk the advice of his uncle, Lewis F. Allan, a noted 
stock- breeder of that place. The latter did not 
.••j>sak enthusiastically. "What is it you want to do, 
my boy.'" he asked. "Well, sir, I want to study 
law," was the reply. " Good gracious ! " remarked 
lb* old gentleman ; " do you, indeed ? What ever put 
that into your head? How much money have you 
got?" '"Well, sir, to tell the truth, I haven't got 
any." 

After a long consultation, his uncle offered him a 
place temporarily as assistant herd- keeper, at $50 a 
year, wiiile iic could " look around." One day soon 
afterward he boldly walked into the office of Rogers, 
Bowen & Rogers, of Buffalo, and told Lhem what he 
wanted. A number of young men were already en- 
gaged in the office, but Grover's persistency won, and 
ne was finally permitted to come as an office boy and 
Have the use of the law library, for the nominal sum 
of S3 or $4 a week. Out of this he had to pay for 
his board and washing. The walk to and from his 
uncle's was a long and rugged one; and, although 
the first winter was a memorably severe one, his 
shoes were out of repair and his overcoat — he had 
none — yet he was nevertheless prompt and regular. 
On the first day of his service here, his senior em- 
ployer threw down a copy of Blackstone before him 
with a bang that made the dust fly, saying "That's 
tvhere they all begin." A titter ran around the little 
circle of clerks and students, as they thought that 
was enough to scare young Grovei: out of his plans ; 
out in due time he mastered that cumbersome volume. 
Then, as ever afterward, however, Mr. Cleveland 
exhibited a talent for executiveness rather than for 
chasing principles through all their metaphysical 
possibilities. " Let us quit talking and go and do 
t," was practically his motto. 

The first public office to which Mr. Cleveland was 
ejected was that of Sheriff of Erie Co., N. Y., in 
which BuSalo is situated; and in such capacity it fell 
io his duty to inflict capital pi'".Ishment upon two 
caiiiiinals. In 1881 he was elected Mayor of the 
City of Buffalo, on the Democratic ticket, v/ith es- 
pecial reference to the bringing about cer'.iir. reforms 



ui the administration of the municipal affairs of that 
city. In this office, as well as that of Sheriff, his 
performance of duty has generally been considered 
fair, with possibly a few exceptions which were fer- 
reted out and magnified during the last Presidential 
campaign. As a specimen of his plain language in 
a veto message, we quote from one vetoing an iniqui 
tous street-cleaning contract: "This is a time fo\ 
plain speech, and my objection to your action shall 
be plainly stated. I regard it as the cidmination of 
a mos bare-faced, impudent and shameless scheme 
to betray the interests of the people and to worsj 
than squander tiie people's money." The New York 
Sun afterward very highly commended Mr. Cleve- 
land's administration as Mayor of Buffalo, and there- 
u[X)n recommended him for Governor of the Empire 
State. To the latter office he was elected in 1882, 
and his administration of the affairs of State was 
generally satisfactory. The mistakes he made, if 
any, were made very public throughout the nation 
after he was nominated for President of the United 
States. For this higli office he was nominated July 
II, 1884, by the National Democratic Convention at 
Chicago, when other competitors were Thomas F. 
Bayard, Roswell P. Flower, Thomas A. Hendricks, 
Benjamin F. Butler, Allen G. Thurman, etc.: and he 
was elected by the people, by a majority of about a 
thousand, over the brilliant and long-tried Repub- 
lican statesman, James G. Blaine. President Cleve- 
land resigned his office as Governoi -of New York in 
January, 1885, in order to prepare for his duties as 
the Chief Executive of ihe United States, in which 
capacity his term commenced at noon on the 4th ot 
March, 1885. 

The silver question precipitated a controversy 
between those who were in favor of the continu- 
ance of silver coinage and those who were opposed, 
Mr. Cleveland answering for the latter, even before 
his inauguration. 

On June 2, 1886, President Cleveland married 
Frances, daughter of his deceased friend and 
partner, Oscar Folsoni, of the Buffalo Bar. Their 
union has been blessed by the birth of one daugh- 
ter, Ruth. In the campaign of i888. President 
Cleveland was renominated by his party, but the 
Republican candidate. Gen. Benjamin Harrison, 
was victorious. In the nominations of 1892 these 
two candidates for the highest position in the gift 
of the people were again pitted against each other 
and President Cleveland was victorious by an 
overwhelming majority. 




(^i^jZ4aY ^^a>-7-^<ry.u*^-(^-^ 



TWENTY-THIRD PRESIDENT. 



UJ 




..o#p..@X®-'> 




;RNJAMIN HARRISON, the 

tweiity-third President, is 
the descendant of one of the 
hi;.torical families of this 
country. The head of tiie 
family was a Major General 
Harrison, one of Oliver 
Cromwell's trusted follow- 
ers and fighters. In the zenith of Crom- 
well's power it became the duty of this 
Harrison to participate in the trial of 
Charles I, and afterward to sign the 
death warrant of the king. He subse- 
quently paid for this with his life, being 
hung Oct. 13, 16G0. His descendants 
came to America, and the next of the 
family that appears in history is Benj.i- 
rr;in 'larrison, of Virginia, great-grand- 
father of the subject of this sketch, and 
after whom he was named. Benjamin Harrison 
was a member of the Continental Congress during 
the years 1774—5-6, and was one of the original 
signers of the Declaration of Independence. He 
W* three times elected Governor of Virginia, 
Oen William Henry Harrison, the son of the 



distinguished patriot of the iRevolution, after a sue. 
cessful career as a soldier during the War of 1812, 
and with -a clean record as Governor of the North- 
western Territory, was elected President of the 
United States in 1840. His caraer was cut short 
by death within one month after Iiis inauguration. 
President Harrison vst" born af North Bend, 
Hamilton Co., Ohio, Aug. '"0, 18S3 His life up to 
the time of his graduation by the Miami University, 
at Oxford, Ohio, was the uneventful one of a coun- 
try lad of a family of small means. His father was 
able to give him a good education, and nothmg 
more. He became engaged while at college to tho 
daughter of Dr. Scott, Principal of a female schoo 
at Oxford. After graduating he determined to en- 
ter upon the study of the law. He went to Cin 
cinnati and then read law for two years. At tht 
expiration of that time young Harrison receivfcd tt . 
only inheritance of his life; his aunt dying left bin; 
a lot valued at 1800. He regarded this legacy as a 
fortune, and decided to get married at once, laics 
this money and go to some Eastern town an', be- 
gin the practice of law He sold his lot, and with 
the money in his pocket, he started out witn his 
young wife to fight for a place in the world- ll* 



108 



BENJAMIN HARRISON. 



decided to go to Indianapolis, which was even at 
that time a town of promise. He met with slight 
encouragement at first, making scarcely anything 
the first year. He worked diligently, applying him- 
self closely to his calling, built up an extensive 
practice and took a leading rank in the legal pro- 
x'ession. He is the father of two children. 

In 1860 Mr. Harrison was nominated for the 
position of Supreme Court Reporter, and then be- 
gan his experience as a stump speaker He can- 
vassed the State thoroughly, and was elected by a 
handsome majority. In 1862 he raised the 17th 
Indiana Infantry, and was chosen its Colonel. His 
regiment was composed of 'he rawest of material, 
out Col. Harrison employed all his time at first 
mastering military tactics and drilling his men, 
when he therefore came to move toward the East 
with Sherman his regiment was one of tlie best 
drilled and organized in the army. At Resaca he 
especially distinguished himself, and for his bravery 
at Peachtree Creek he was made a Brigadier Gen- 
eral, Gen. Hooker speaking of him in the most 
'complimentary terms. 

During the absence of Gen. Harrison in the field 
ho Bupreme Court declared the office of the Su- 
premo Court Reporter vacant, and another person 
was elected to the position. From the time of leav- 
ing Indiana with his regiment until the fall oi 1864 
he had taken no leave of absence, but having been 
nominated that year for the same office, he got a 
thirty-day leave of absence, and during that time 
made a brilliant canvass of the State, and was elected 
for another terra. He then started tj rejoin Sher- 
man, but on the way was stricken down with scarlet 
iever, and after a most trying siege made his way 
to the front in time to participate in the closing 
incidents of the war. 

In 1868 Gen. Harrison declined ^ re-election as 
;eporter, and resumed the practice of law. In 1876 
ne was a candidate for Governor. Although de- 
eated, the brilliant campaign ho ii^ade won iorhim 
a National reputation, and he was jiuch sought, es- 
pecial.y in the East, to make speeches. In 1880, 
OS usual, he took an active part, in i<ae campaign, 
and wae elected to the ''Jnited States Senate. Here 
uc se»-ved six years, an<? r.as known, as one oi the 
liaiest men, best lawyer' ».nd strongest debaters in 



that body. With the expiration of his Senatoi iai 
term he returned to the practice of his profession, 
becoming the head of one of the strongest firms in 
the State. 

The political campaign of 1888 was one of the 
most memorable in the history of our country. The 
convention which assembled in Chicago in June an.< 
named Mr. Harrison as the chief standard bearer 
of the Republican party, was great in every partic- 
ular, and on this account, and the attitude it as- 
sumed upon the vital questions of the day, chief 
among which was the tariff, awoke a deep interest 
in the campaign throughout the Nation. Shortly 
after the nomination delegations began to visit Mr. 
Harrison at Indianapolis, his home. This move- 
ment became popular, and from all sections of the 
country societies, clubs and delegations journeyed 
thither to pay their respects to the distinguished 
statesman. The popularity of these was greatly 
increased on account of the remarkable speeches 
made by Mr. Harrison. He spoke daily all through 
the summer and autumn to these visiting delega- 
tions, and so varied, masterly and eloquent were 
his speeches that they at once placed him in the 
foremost rank of American orators and statesmen. 

On account of his eloquence as a speaker and hie 
power as a debater, he was called upon at an un- 
commonly early age to take part in the discussion 
of the great questions that then began to agita,te 
the country. He was an uncompromising ant: 
slavery man, and was niatched against some of t'_e 
most eminent Dem(>cratic speakers of his Statv- 
No man who felt the touch of his blade der'red u. 
be pitted with him again. With all his e'oq-ence 
as an orator he never spoke for oratorical effect, 
but his words always went like bullets to the mark 
He is purely American in his ideas and ic a §pler 
did type of the American statesman. Gifted witli 
quick perception, a logical mind and a ready tongue, 
he is one of th* most distinguished impromptu 
speakers in the Nation. Many cf these speeches 
sparkled with the rarest of eloquence and contained 
arguments of greatest weight. Many of his terse 
statements have alreadj- become aphorisms. Origl- 
nal in thought precise in logic, terse in statement, 
yt!' withal faultless in eloquence, lie is recognized as 
the sound statesman and brilKan orator o tii^ day 




i^^*^®" 



Clay, Ray, Carroll, Chariton 



and Linn Counties, 



MISSOURI. 



-•^^ 




^^ 




INTRODUGTORY.Ii 





5HE time has arrived when it 
becomes the duty of the 
people of this county to per- 
petuate the names of their 
pioneers, to furnish a record 
of their early settlement, 
and relate the story of their 
progress. The civilization of our 
day, the enlightenment of the age 
and the duty that men of the pres- 
ent time owe to their' ancestors, to 
themselves and to their posterity, 
demand that a record of their lives 
and deeds should be made. In bio- 
graphical history is found a power 
to instruct man by precedent, to 
enliven the mental faculties, and 
to waft down the river of time a 
safe vessel in which the names and actions of the 
f)eopIe who contributed to raise this country from its 
primitive state may be preserved. Surely and rapidly 
the great and aged men, who in their ))rime entered 
the wilderness and claimed the virgin soil as their 
heritage, are passing to their graves. The number re- 
maining who can relate the incidents of the first days 
jf settlement is becoming small indeed, so that an 
actual necessity exists for the collection and preser- 
vation of events without delay, before all the early 
settlers are cut down by the scythe of Time. 

To be forgotten has been the great dread of mankind 
from remotest ages. AH will be forgotten soon enough, 
in spite of their best works and the most earnest 
efforts of their friends to perserve the memory of 
their lives. The means employed to prevent oblivion 
and to perpetuatatheir memory has been in propor- 
tion to the amount of intelligence they possessed. 
ThT ()yramids of Egypt were built to perpetuate the 
names and deeds of their great rulers. The exhu- 
mations made by the archeologists of Egypt from 
buried Memphis indicate a desire of those people 



to perpetuate the memory of their achievements. 
The erection of the great obelisks were for the same 
purpose. Coming down to a later period, we find the 
Greeks and Romans erecting mausoleums and monu- 
ments, and carving out statues to chronicle their 
great acliievements and carry them down the ages. 
It is also evident that the Mound-builders, in piling 
up their great mounds of earth, had but this idea — 
to leave something to show that they had lived. All 
these works, though many of them costly in the ex- 
treme, give but a faint idea of the lives and charac- 
ters of those whose memory they were intended to 
perpetuate, and scarcely anything of the masses of 
the people that then lived. The great pyramids and 
some of the obelisks remain objects only of curiosity; 
the mausoleums, monuments and statues are crum- 
bling into dust. 

It was left to modern ages to establish an intelli- 
gent, undecaying, immutable method of perpetuating 
a full history — immutable in that it is almost un- 
limited in extent and perpetual in its action ; and 
this is through the art of printing. 

To the present generation, however, we are in- 
debted for tlie introduction of the admirable system 
of local biography. By this system every man, thougl: 
he has not achieved what the world calls greatness, 
has the means to perpetuate his life, his history, 
through the coming ages. 

The scythe of Time cuts down all ; nothing of the 
physical man is left. The monument whicli his chil- 
dren or friends may erect to his memory in theceme. 
tery will crumble into dust and pass away; but his 
life, his achievements, the work he has accomplished, 
which otherwise would be forgotten, is perpetuated 
by a record of this kind. 

To preserve the lineaments of our companions we 
engrave their portraits, for the same reason we col- 
lect the attainable facts of their history. Nor do we 
think it necessary, as we speak only truth of them, to 
wait until they are dead, or until those who know 
them are g(jne:.^to do tliis we are ashamed only to 
[Hiblish t ) the world the history of those whose live"' 
are unworthy of public record. 



PC ^^^ 




\IL^0N. C. T. GARNER, Sr., a prominent law- 
\\fji yer, able advocate and enterprising citizen 
i^^^ of Riclimond, Ray County, is a native of 

if^j Missouri, and from his earliest manhood 
has been an important factor in the upbuilding of 
his locality, and has also materially aided iu the 
advancement of educational interests. Born in 
Howard County, upon March 25, 1825, our sub- 
ject is descended from distinguished parentage. 
His father, Jesse W. Garner, was a natural leader 
among men. .Energetic, enterprising, brave and 
resolute, he came to the Territory of Missouri in 
1818, and was a pioneer citizen of the highest 
type. The mother of our subject was the daugh- 
ter of Gen. Stephen Trigg, a prominent figure in 
the early historj^ of Missouri, and who held many 
high positions of trust, civil and military. 

Our subject remained with his parents until he 
had reached mature years. His opportunities for 
an education were extremely limited, but his early 
training in habits of industry and self-reliance 
well fitted him to cope with all disadvantages. In 
1840 Mr. Garner commenced the stud}' of law un- 
der the direction of the Hon. George W. Dunn, 
and two years later received his diploma from the 
Hon. Austin A. King, then Judge of the Judicial 
Circuit, being licensed to practice in all the courts 
of Missouri. Without loss of time, the ambitious 
and energetic young advocate at once opened an 
office, and, surrounded by formidable competitors, 
calmly and hopefully awaited results. His patient 
waiting was no loss. In a comparatively brief 
time clients began to make their appearance in the 



office of the young attorney -at-law. From the 
first the success of Mr. Garner was an assured 
fact. 

Equally at home in exciting criminal cases or in 
the examinations of the civil courts, our subject 
proved an eloquent and convincing advocate, and 
became noted for his success in apparentlj' desper- 
ate cases. No client of his was ever convicted of 
murder in the first degree, nor has he ever lost a 
case of vital importance. Strong in argument and 
eloquent in address, lie has swayed judge and jury 
bj' ever enlisting tlieir sympathies iu behalf of the 
prisoner at the Bar. In 1850 Mr. Garner was 
united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth B. Mosby, 
a daughter of Maj. James Mosby, of Callaway 
County, Mo. Seven children have blessed this 
union: James W. is a lawyer in Kansas City; C. T.- 
is in partnership with his father in the practice of 
law; W. H. is in the life insurance business and 
resides in Richmond; Elizabeth B. is the wife of 
Dr. J. O. K. Gant, livinJ in Flattsburgh, Mo.; Mary 
is the wife of President G. M. Neale, of the Com- 
mercial College at Ft. Smith, Ark.; Sallie and 
Jessie Garner both live at home. 

In 1852 Mr. Garner was elected Circuit Attorney 
for tlie Fifth Judicial Circuit, composed then of the 
counties of Ray, Carroll, Caldwell, DeKalb, Har- 
rison, Davis, Clinton and Cla^'. Our subject was 
elected over formidable competitors, and dis- 
charged the duties of the office with abilit}-, honor 
and rare efficiency. Elected to the Legislature in 
1862, he ably sustained the wishes of his constitu- 
ents, and when placed upon important committees 



118 



PORTRAIT AND BTOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



distinguished himself b^' excellent suggestions and 
wise judgment. He was recognized by his co-lab- 
orers in the House as a citizen adapted to the 
needs of any otlice within the gift of liis friends 
and neiglibors. 

Always occupied with tlic demands of profes- 
sional duties, our subject yet finds time to assist 
in tlie promotion of wortii}- enterprise and counts 
time well lost when it is given in behalf of genu- 
ine need and really deserving objects. Public- 
spirited, earnest and progressive in word and ac- 
tion, he commands the high esteem and thorough 
confidence of the general public. In politics, he 
was first a Whig, and of late j^ears lias been a 
Democrat. lie is veiy conservative in his politi- 
cal views, and during the war was a Union man. 
Without political aspirations he has been asked to 
accept from the liands of the people official posi- 
tions of honor and responsibility, and in their ac- 
ceptance nobly disciiarged the obligation which 
rests upon each true American citizen, whose na- 
tional boast is that as a people we are equal to tlie 
needs of the hour. 



1-^+^^ 



yM RS. MARIA A. M. REMELIUS, the sub- 
ject of this sketch, is the esti-nable widow 
of a worthy husband, whose life is cher- 
ished in her inner heart because of his 
many noble qualities, best known to her, yet 
felt and appreciated by his neighbors. She resides 
upon a farm in township 52, range 27, Rav County, 
Mo., two miles north of the city of Richmond, in 
a hirge and beautiful home, standing on an emin- 
ence that commands a view of the picturesque 
landscape for many miles around, as well as of the 
near city. It is bej^ond question one of the most 
strikingly handsome residences in Ray County 
and challenges the admiration of all passers-by. 
The credit of the structure belongs to the husband, 
who was not oulj' the architect, but also superin- 
tended the carpenter work. 

Our subject was born in Kurhcsscn, Germany, in 
J 837, the daughter of Carrel and Maria (Mantz) 



Bube, her father having been born in Saxony in 
1806, and her mother in Kurhessen in 1815. The 
father lived the greater part of his life in Steinbach- 
Hallenberg, and was a cabinet-maker bj' trade, be- 
ginning his apprenticeship at the age of fifteen 
years, and terminating it at eighteen. His educa- 
tion had been received previously in the common 
schools of his native countrj*. In religion, he was 
a Lutheran and piously attached to the church of 
his fathers. He died in 1857, in the village where 
he had peacefully passed so many of his days, his 
wife yet surviving and spending her closing life 
on the old homestead in German^-. 

Our subject caine to this country with an uncle 
landing in New York August 16, 1854, remaining in 
that city for seven months, and then going to Ver- 
mont, where she stayed two J' ears; she later lived in 
Massachusetts one year and then returned to New 
York, all of which time she was working for other 
people in order to earn a livelihood. In the fall 
of 1858, she went to Springfield, Mo., where in De- 
cember of that 3'ear she married Frank J. C. Re- 
melius, who was born in Frankdahl, Bavaria, in 
1836. He had remained with his parents until his 
sixteenth year, receiving a good education in the 
common schools and also serving an apprentice- 
ship at the trade of a furrier. At the age stated he 
came to New York, his parents remaining in the 
Old Country, and he resided several years in that 
great city, where he learned the carpenter's trade, 
subsequently traveling in several of the States, 
working at his trade, and •finallj-, in the spring of 
1858, reaching Springfield, Mo. Here he worked 
at his trade until the outbreak of the war, when he 
enlisted in the Union arm}-, entering Coinpan}^ M, 
Fourth Missouri State Cavalry. He was never 
severely wounded nor taken prisoner. In the sec- 
ond battle of Springfield, he took part, but almost 
all of his fighting was against the bushwhackers, 
in which service he had many narrow escapes. 
After the war, he located with his family at Lex- 
ington, Mo., where he worked at his trade six years 
and then settled in Ray County. In 1874, he 
bought five hundred and sixty acres of land where 
our subject now lives. She has sold a part of her 
land and now has two hundred acres. Mr. Reme- 
lius was a Kepublican and a very active one, parti- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



119 



cipaling eflfectively in every campaign. While 
living in Lexington, he was Marshal of the city 
for one year. Our subject's husliancl died in the 
year 1889. 

The home of our subject has been blessed witli 
the following living children: Louis C; Eugene; 
J. P., married to ."^allie Ciist; Frank E., Emma A. 
and Pauline. Two children died j-oung. 



ii-^-i^a^^i^^ 



JE. M. TRIPLETT. This family, which is 
so well and favorably known throughout 
Chariton County, Mo., is of Irish descent, 
.^_^^ and it was during the Colonial historj^ of 
this country that the family tree first took root on 
American soil. The paternal grandfather of the 
subject of this sketch, Iledgeman Triplett, attained 
the rank of Major in the Revolutionary War, be- 
ing a member of Thomas' regiment of Virginia 
volunteers. He emigrated from Culpeper County, 
Va., to Franklin County, Kj'., with his wife, whose 
maiden name was Nancy Popliam, and there pur- 
chased a tract of land, on which he made his home 
untd 1833, when he paid the last debt of nature, 
at the advanced age of ninety-nine years and eight 
months. His family consisted of .five sons and five 
daughters, the following of whom are especially 
worthy of mention, owing to the extreme old age 
to which they attained: Elizabeth died in Ken- 
tucky at the age of one hundred and four j-ears; 
Mildred passed from life in Morgan Countr3', 111., 
at one hundred and two j'ears of age; William 
died in Platte Count}', Mo., when one hundred 
and one years old; and George W. was called from 
life in Davis Country, Ky., at the age of ninety-one 
years. The latter served as (Quartermaster and 
was a Representative from Kentucky to the Con- 
federate Congress. He was also a member of the 
Kentucky Legislature, and at one time held the 
rank of Adjutant-General. One of his brothers 
was Hedgeman Triplett, Jr., the father of .T. E. M. 
Triplett. 

Hedgeman Triplett was born in Culpeper County, 
\'a., but when a Imv removed to Kentucky with 



his parents, and located at Briant Station with 
Hoone and others. He was brought up in Frank- 
lin County, which was then almost wholly in a state 
of nature, and upon reaching man's estate he mar- 
ried Margaret Eddiiis, a daughter of Joseph Ed- 
dms, a Virginian. He eventually became a wealthy 
farmer and was highly respected by all who knew 
him. He and his wife became the parents of five sons 
and two daughters, the latter dying in infancy. 
The sons were: Harrison, who died in Kentucky; 
.John E. M., whose name heads this sketch; George, 
who died in Kentucky; Alexander, who died in 
San Francisco, Cal.; and Thomas, who died in July, 
1892, at Austin, Nev., where he founded the town, 
and there operated a quartz mill, being also inter- 
ested in silver mining. The father of those ehiblren 
attained the age of fifty-six 3ears, dying in Ken- 
tucky in 1845, his wife's death occurring in Mis- 
souri about one year later. They were a worthy 
couple and had many warm friends. 

J. E. M. Triplett is a native of Franklin County, 
Ky., where he was born December 2, 1818. He re- 
ceived a practical education in the schools of that 
county, becoming sufficiently well qualified to be- 
come a teacher, an occupation which received con- 
siderable of his attention during his early man- 
hood. After the death of the head of the family 
he, with his widowed mother and brothers, came 
to Carroll County, Mo., but owing to the death of 
his mother the same year (1846), his brothers re- 
turned to Kentucky. Thomas and Alexander did 
not remain there long, however, but soon returned 
to Missouri, and from there went West to Califor- 
nia. J. E. JI. Tri|)lett purchased land in Carroll 
County, Mo., which he continued to till until 1847. 
when he sold his property and once more returned 
to the State of his birth, where the death of his 
wife occurred March 19, 1847. After a very short 
time he went to Chicago, III., but in 1849 once 
more took up his residence in the State of Mis- 
souri and has since been a resident of Chariton 
County and one of her active, industrious and 
leading citizens. 

In 1852 our subject purchased a tract of land, 
to which he subsequently added by purchase ad- 
joining lands, upon which, at a later date, was 
laid out the village of Triplett. Here for many 



120 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



j-ears lie carrieri on farming and stock-raising, or 
until about eight \'ears ago, when advancing years 
and infirmities warned him to cease from his la- 
bors, and he has since been a resident of the vil- 
lage of Triplett, where he has a comfortable home 
and enjoys a competency which his early efforts 
won for him. He still continues to manage sev- 
ty-flve acres of land adjoining the village on the 
east, and he and his son William own one hundred 
and sixty acres in Idaho, and in the village of 
Triplett a brick store building, five houses and 
forty vacant lots. Although he at one.time owned 
about two thousand acres of land, he has sold 
some and divided a large portion among his chil- 
dren. The township of Triplett was named in his 
honor, and in 1868, when the present village of 
Triplett was laid off on a portion of his land, be- 
ing surve3-ed by himself and L. A. Cunningham, 
it also received his name. Our subject has con- 
tributed more to the u[ibuilding of the town and 
surroundings than anyone else. 

Before coming to Missouri Mr. Triplett held the 
office of County Judge of Franklin County, Ky., 
and for thirty-two years he discharged the duties 
of Justice of the Peace in the locality where he is 
now living. Having a taste for law, he was ad- 
mitted to the Bar, after some preparation, in 1865, 
and has since practiced in the Court of Common 
Pleas and the justice courts of the vicinity ever 
since. Until 1862 he was a Whig in politics, but 
later became a Democrat, and was an active worker 
in that party's conventions until 1876, when he 
joined the Weaver party, since which time he 
has not taken a very active part in politics. In 
1846 he was initiated into the mysteries of Ma- 
sonry in Kentucky, joining Owen Lodge No. .328, 
,of Owen County, Ky., but he is now a member of 
Dagon Lodge No. 374, of Mendon, Mo. 

He was first married in Kentucky, in 1843, to 
Miss Selina Eddins, who died in March, 1847, and 
his second wife was Miss Frances Littrell, daughter 
of John W. D. Littrell, of Chariton County, Mo., 
whom he married in May, 1840. .She died in 
1852, leaving one child, Georgia A., wife of D. L. 
Wood, of Triplett. He married his present wife 
June 26, 1853, in Carroll County, Mo., her maiden 
name being Nancy Cawthron. She is a daughter of 



Asa Cawthron, and is a Kentuckian by birth. The 
children of this last marriage are: George W., of 
Texas; William, of Idaho, married; Martha, wife 
of S.F.Powell, of Texas; Emma; Benjamin F., mar- 
ried; and John A., married. The last two men- 
tioned live on the old home farm near Triplett. 
The Cawthron family were from Virginia and of 
Scotch-Irish descent, the grandfather of Mrs. Trip- 
lett being Charles Cawthron, who died in Ken- 
tucky. Her father, Asa W. Cawthron, was born in 
the Old Dominion, January 1, 1796, but spent his 
boyhood days in Clark County, near Lexington, 
Ky. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and at 
the time of Dudley's defeat was captured in Ohio 
by the British, and sent as a prisoner to Canada, 
where he was kept in captivity' for over a year. 
He was exchanged at Quebec and sent home. He 
was soon afterward married to Miss Eliza Canote, 
of Kentucky, a German by descent, and in 
1825 moved with his family to Howard County, 
Mo., where he engaged in tilling the soil. Three 
of the ten children born to him are now 
living. Alexander R. resides in Triplett; Har- 
riet, wife of James Smart, resides in Carroll 
County, Mo.; and Nancj^ Mrs. Triplett. Tyre died 
in Livingston County, in 1891, aged seventy- 
three years; the others were Martha, Elizabeth, 
Matilda, Eliza Ann, Emily and Araminta, all of 
whom were married. Mr. Cawthron was a Whig, 
but later became a Democrat, and was a member 
of the Baptist Church, in which faith he died in 
1881, his wife having passed from life in 1864. 

Our subject has held office for fifty-four years 
of his life, and has never been under arrest nor 
has ever paid one cent of costs in a law suit. 



^I^DWARD TEAGARDEN. The family of 
fe) which our subject is an honored represent- 
I }' — ^ ative is characterised hj' remarkable longev- 
ity, and he himself gives every promise of attain- 
ing to an exceptional age, although he was dis- 
abled during' the war and is somewhat of an in- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



121 



valid in consequence of that fact and from ex- 
ceptionally hard work in his younger days. De- 
spite his physical condition, he takes good care of 
himself and inherits a tendency to long life, so 
that his friends believe and hope that his life will 
be continued in health and happiness for man}' 
years to come. 

Our subject is the son of Aaron Teagarden, who 
lived to be one hundred and one years old, and of 
Frances (McCown) Teagarden. This worthy 
couple had a family of eleven children, namely: 
Moses, Samuel, William, Lucinda, David, Mary, 
our subject, John, Job, Francis and Phrebe. The 
family removed from Pennsylvania to Ohio, and 
from that State came to Missouri. Our subject 
bought one hundred and twenty acres of land, 
upon which he carried on general farming and 
stock-raising for many years, but finally retired, 
having grown somewhat incapacitated for active 
employment, because of overwork and disabilit}- 
during the war. 

Mr. Teagarden was married in December, 1846, 
to Khoda J. Cummins, who bore him the following 
children: John, born October 22, 1850; Samantha 
E., October 26, 1855; Edward, November 3, 1856; 
Austin, December 7, 1857; Lucinda, March 11, 
1861; Alwilda, December 25, 1863; and Cinderella, 
September 5, 1805. Only three of the number are 
living — Samantha, Cinderella and Austin. Mrs. 
Teegarden was a member of the Christian Church, 
in which she set an example to all in her pious 
walk and conversation 

At one time since became to Missouri, Mr. Tea- 
garden owned one hundred and seventy-five acres 
of land, but subsequently sold a portion of it. 
lie was a verj' careful and painstaking farmer 
during his active days and whatever he had to 
do did not postpone it for any cause, and if he 
erred at all, it was in doing too much work, 
strong and active as he was. He did not easily 
get discouraged, but had confidence that willing 
hands could overcome most obstacles. Mr. Tea- 
garden has ever taken much interest in politics 
and has great faith in the Republican party, whose 
ticket he alwa^'s votes. He is not one to "blow 
hot and blow cold," nor is he one to drop a cause 
when he thinks it is losing ground; but whether 



the Republicans lose or win he remains true to his 
convictions. His honest purpose and firm adher- 
ence to principle are qualities which have won for 
him many strong friends. 



^T^RANK D. JOHNSON, M. D., is one of the 
llsi^g' latest comers of his professional brethren 
ill, to Hale, Carroll County, but has already 
made many friends and is developing a tine 
practice. His father, William Johnson, was also a 
doctor and surgeon and was born in ISaltimore, 
Md. In that city he married the lady who after- 
ward became the mother of our subject, who before 
her marriage was known as Susan Evans, daughter 
of Job Evans, one of the respected residents of 
Baltimore. After their marriage the Doctor and 
his wife removed to Dubuque, Iowa, in which city 
our subject was born August 13, 1846. He was 
one of six children, who received their education 
in the Dubuque common and High Schools. When 
fifteen years of age our subject entered the Upper 
Iowa University, located at Fayette, where he con- 
tinued his studies for two years, after which he 
took one year's course in Cornell College, at Mt. 
Vernon, Iowa. 

Upon the completion of his collegi.ate course Dr. 
Johnson concluded to adopt the profession to 
which his father had devoted his best years, and in 
pursuance of that decision commenced studying 
under Dr. Maxwell, a prominent physician of 
Davenport, Iowa. He then became a student at 
Rush Medical College of Chicago,which he attended 
for two j^ears. He completed the required 3-ears 
of study in the Ainsworth Medical College in St. 
Joseph, Mo., graduating therefrom in 1878. Desir- 
ing practical experience, the Doctor for two years 
was City Physician in the Atchison (Kan.) City 
Hospital. In the spring of 1881, going to Cunning- 
ham, Chariton Count}', in this State, he conducted 
a general practice in that vicinity for the succeed- 
ing eight years. In 1890 he finally located in Hale, 
where he is doing very well and is rapidly enlarg- 
ing his practice. 



122 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



In the year 1867, tlie marriage ceremony of Dr. 
Johnson and Miss Kate E. Sawyer was solemnized. 
Mrs. Johnson is a daughter of Calvin Sawyer, of 
Mt. Vernon, Iowa, and h}^ her marriage has become 
the mother of one daughter, Bertha E., a young 
lady of good education and social attributes. 

The Doctor and his wife are devoted members 
of the Methodist P^piscopal Church North, in which 
they are active workers. Politically, he is an ar- 
dent Republican and one who has the welfare of 
his country and fellow-citizens at heart. He is a 
member of Hale Lodge No. 361, I. O. O. F., and of 
the Knights of Pythias in Hale. 



' OSEPH F. DUVALL, a manufacturer of and 
dealer in harness and saddler3' at Rich- 
mond, Ray County, is a man of probity, 
held in high esteem by his fellow-citizens 
for his many manly qualities. He was born near 
Culpeper C. H., Culpeper Count}-, Va., ou the 
20th of February, 1840, being the second son 
and child in the family of three children of Isaac 
and Sally (Jeffries) Duvall, both of Virginia, the 
father a farmer, and the mother a daughter of 
Col. Jeffries, of Culpeper. They removed to Ray 
County, Mo., in the year 1844, and later settled 
on a farm near Richmond, w'here the father car- 
ried on stock-raising. 

Eight years afterward, in 1852, the father settled 
on a farm in Grape Grove Township, where he 
spent the remainder of his days, dying in 1879, in 
the seventy-third year of his age; the mother hav- 
ing died in Richmond Township, on the farm 
where they had first settled, passing awa}' July 3, 
1845. Our subject passed his boyhood on the 
farm, attending the district schools until his six- 
teenth year, when he began to learn the trade of a 
saddle and harness maker. 

In 1861 our subject enlisted in Company C, 
Third Missouri Infantry, Col. B. F. Reeves com- 
manding, in Gen. Little's brigade. Price's division, 
C. S. A., and took part in tiie following battles: 
Lexington, Corinth. luka, siege of Vicksburg, 



Altoona Mountain, Franklin, Mobile, Big Black, 
Baker's Creek, Big and Little Kenesaw Mountain, 
and a number of minor engagements. He was 
mustered out at the close of the war, and returned 
to Richmond, where he conducted a farm until 
August, 18;tl, when he bought the business of W. 
W. Brown, and has since continued in the same 
place, carrying on the manufacturing and selling 
of saddles and harness. 

Our subject was married February 20, 1873, to 
Miss Kate Forbes, of Ray County, Mo., daughter 
of J. H. Forbes. She was a native of Kentucky, 
and came with her parents to Missouri when a 
little girl. Mr. and Mrs. Duvall are the parents of 
three children, namely: Isaac, who is in his father's 
store; Fannie and Bettie, both students in the 
High School. Mr. Duvall has been a member of 
the School Board, and has held the office of Koad 
Overseer for twelve j"ears. Politically he holds 
fast to the teachings of the Democratic partj^, and 
is alw.iys read}' to follow it to defeat or victor}'. 
He is a member of Richmond Lodge No. 57, A. F. 
& A. M.; Cyrus Ciiapter No. 36, R. A. M.; and 
Richmond Commandcry No. 47, K. T. Mr. and 
Mrs. Duvall are members of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church South. They have a very pleasant 
home on Thornton Avenue, where they welcome 
their friends with genuine and heart}' hospitality. 



^^^EORGE MiLEAN, M. D. Tlie profession 
of the physician is one of the most arduous 
_ in the field of science, and while still in the 
zenith of the success which has attended his efforts 
in a professional way, Dr. McLean has given abun- 
dant evidence in the past of the ability which qual- 
ifies him for a high place in the medical profession. 
He has been truly ambitious, but liis ambition has 
been in ever}' way laudable and for the divine 
purpose of bettering mankind, and by reason of his 
unquestioned ability he has had full scope in re- 
lieving the pains and ailments to which a suffering 
world is heir. He is a product of "bonnie Scot- 
land," his birth occurring in Koss-shire, M.ay 29, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



123 



1834, his father having been a vetei-iuary surgeon 
of world-wide reputation, and a man whose name 
was t3'pical of all that was honorable and upright. 
He and his wife became the parents of three sons 
and two daughters, the eldest son being now a col- 
lector of internal revenue in his native country, 
and the j-oungest son a noted Doctor of Divinity 
on the Isle of Arran, in the northwestern part of 
Scotland. 

At the time he had attained his tenth year, Dr. 
George McLean was left an orphan by the death 
of his parents, and thus at an early day the bur- 
den of making his own way in the world fell 
upon his youthful shoulders, but found him equal 
to the task. He soon succeeded in obtaining em- 
ployment with a lady of wealth and rank in Eng- 
land, who in the natural kindness of her heart took 
a motherly interest in the orphan lad who had 
been thrown upon her care, and she generously 
sent him to school in Scotland for two years, where 
he showed that he possessed a bright mind and a 
strong desire to pursue the paths of learning. 
Upon his return to England, at the end of the 
two years, he continued to earnestlj^ pursue his 
studies and became a very proficient scholar both 
in Latin and Greek. At the early age of sixteen 
years his naturally generous and kindlj' disposi- 
tion turned to that broad field for the alleviation 
of human suffering, the practice of medicine, for 
his life's work, and he entered earnestly upon the 
study of that science, as well as of practical surgery, 
and applied himself so earnestly, and complied so 
rigidlj- with all the rules, conformities and rigid 
regularities and examinations for which English 
and Scotch schools are noted, that he graduated 
with the highest degree of proficiency in his pro- 
fession to which a man can attain. He did not 
content himself with graduating from merely one 
medical institution, but holds diplomas from three 
colleges, and besides is a graduate from tiie Apoth- 
ecaries' Society of England, the College of Mid- 
wifery of Glasgow, Scotland, and is a licensed sur- 
geon and pharmacist of the State of Missouri. 

On the 10th of December, 1865, in the city of 
London, England, the Doctor was married to Miss 
Nancy Large, a daughter of James Large, general 
superintendent of a large estate in England. Mrs. 



McLean was born in Misley, England, was given 
excellent advantages in her youth, and, possessing 
good parts, became an accomplished lady and an 
exceptionally skillful musician. Three children 
were given to this marriage: Annie, born in Octo- 
ber, 1866; James A., in October, 1868; and one that 
died in infancy. The two eldest children were 
born in England. In 1869 the Doctor decided to 
make America the scene of his future operations 
and accordingly came to this country, being joined 
the following year at Junction Cit^^ Kan., by his 
wife and two little children. After remaining in 
the Sunflower State for a short time, they took up 
their abode in Lexington, Mo., where he soon 
gained the confidence of the best citizens of the 
community and won the regard of the members of 
his own profession. While living at that place his 
daughter Nina B. was born, but she only lived a 
short time and was buried at Camden. 

In the spring of 1877, the Doctor decided to 
pitch his tent at Orrick, Mo., and here he found 
himself located for the practice of his profession 
on the 10th of September of the same year. At 
this place his wife died after an illness of only two 
weeks, leaving besides her sorrowing family a host 
of warm friends to mourn her untimely death. 
She died as she had lived, a faithful and consistent 
Christian, clinging faithfull}' to the doctrine of 
the Church of England, in which she had been 
reared and of which she was a member. The 
Doctor immediately began devoting himself to 
the care and education of his children, sparing 
neither time nor money to fit them for the duties 
of life, but when this had been accomplished his 
home was again visited b}' the hand of death and 
his son James, a brilliant and promising 3'oung 
man in his nineteenth year, was taken from him. 

In October the Doctor opened a drug store in 
Orrick, where he also does a large office practice. 
In the fall of 1886 Anna, his only remaining child, 
was married to Samuel C. Woods, an intelligent 
and prosperous farmer of Kay Count^^, by whom 
she has two children, of whom the Doctor is justly 
fond and proud. Dr. McLean devotes his atten- 
tion to his business, and being a great lover of 
science and histor}', reads a great deal on those 
subjects and writes many clever articles on surgery 



124 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and therapeutics for several well-known medical 
monthlies. He is frank, honest, open and warm 
hearted, an agreeable and entertaining companion 
to both old and 3'oimg, and is highh' honored and 
respected Iw liis brother ph3'sicians, who cannot 
fail to recognize his worth and abilitv. 



-^^- 



'jf/OSEPn E. HULL. The poet who found 
"his warmest welcome at an inn," must 
^— J have had in mind one of those hostelvies in 
''S^f/ which the conveniences of a home are for- 
ever present, without the exacting and disagreeable 
duties that make home life domestic slavery. Such 
a place is the Cottage Hotel, of which Mr. Hull is 
at once the host and proprietor. He is assisted in 
its conduct bj' his three grown daughters, and the 
whole aspect of the house and the interior arrange- 
ments, as close acquaintance will testify, are sug- 
gestive of comfort, the best word of all to those 
who seek a home. Mr. Hull is a man of varied 
experience, and a master of the difficult art of 
hotel-keeping, and it need not be said that the 
house has a large patronage, for the conditions are 
those which command success. 

Mr. Hull claims Pendleton County, Va., as the 
scene of his birth, which occurred March 26, 1830, 
his parents being William and Irene M. (Scott) 
Hull, the former having been born in Pendleton 
County, Va., January 29, 1802, and the latter in 
Culpeper County, Va., in the j'car 1814. The 
mother was of Scotch-Irish descent, her father 
having been a relative of the well-known Scot- 
tish bard. Sir Walter Scott. William Hull fol- 
lowed the calling of a farmer throughout life, but 
being a man of much intelligence and finely edu- 
cated, a considerable portion of his time was 
also given to teaching school, in which he ac- 
quired an enviable reputation. He was Sheriff 
of his native county for six years and was well 
and favorabl3' known there. In November, 1836, 
he with his family settled in Missouri, but after a 
residence of three years in Montgomery County, 
he took up his residence in Ray County on the 



10th of May, residing in the southwest portion of 
the same until his death, which occurred in .Janu- 
ary, 1861, when, being a well-known member of 
the honorable order of Masons, he was buried with 
Masonic honors. His wife died in November, 
1848, at which time her eight children, six sons 
and two daughters, survived her, but all are now 
deceased with the exception of the subject of this 
sketch and his brother George, who lives in .Tack- 
son County, Mo. 

On the 24th of September, 1849, William Hull 
took for his second wife Mrs. Eliza Allen, and al- 
though their union did not result in the birtli of 
children she reared Mr. Hull's three youngest chil- 
dren with the care of a mother, and was always 
kind and considerate in her management of them. 
She died September 7, 1802, at the extreme old 
age of ninety years. 

Joseph E. Hull remained with his parents until 
he was seventeen years of age, when he contracted 
to go across the plains as a Government teamster 
to New Mexico, the journey there occupying 
about six months. On the 17th of October, 1849, 
he married INIiss Melissa S. Stokes, and to their 
union six children were given, four of whom died 
in infiincy. Those living are Mrs. Mary F. Allen, 
of Ray County, and Mrs. Elizabeth A. Looney, of 
Pueblo, Colo. The mother of these children was 
called from life October 12, 18.58, and on the 14th 
of September, 1859, Mr. Hull was again married. 
Miss Mary E. Allen, daughter of his step-mother, 
becoming his wife and eventually the mother of 
his six children, the following being the surviving 
members of the family: Alice L., born October 16, 
1861; Emma A., October 1, 1863; and Estella, De- 
cember 30, 1870. The three sons died in infanc\' 
and earl}' youth. Mr. Hull was called upon to mourn 
the death of his second wife February 9, 1891, af- 
ter a lingering illness of one and a-half years. 
She had been to him a true helpmate and a model 
wife and mother in every particular and her death 
was a source of much sorrow, not only to her im- 
mediate famil3%but to the numerous friends whom 
her natural kindness of heart and amiable disposi- 
tion had gathered about her. 

Prior to the war, Mr. Hull was a Whig in poli- 
tics, hut during that time he was a Southern 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPFIICAL RECORD. 



125 



sympathizer and while a member of the IMissouri 
State (luards he fought on tlie Confederate side 
in the battles of Lexington and Pea Ridge. Later 
he joined the Eighth Missonri Confederate CavahT, 
being a member of Gen. Shelby's division, in 
which he held the rank of Lieutenant, serving 
about eighteen months, lie surrendered at Shreve- 
port, La., June 18, 1865, and still holds his hon- 
orable discharge from the service. Although Mr. 
Hull's life lias been marked by hard labor, he is a 
well-preserved man for his jears and is exception- 
ally well posted on the current topics of the day. 
He has ever been an active man of affairs and has 
been connected with various mercantile interests 
througiiout life, as well as at one time being a suc- 
cessful railroad-contractor. He has ably filled the 
office of 3Ia3'or of Orrick, and is now a Notary 
Public and pension claim agent, as well as an ex- 
ceptionally successful hotel-keeper. 



E^^ 



! 



"f f L'DGE JACOB G. BARG AR, who owns and 
operates a farm on section 14, township 57, 
range 22, has for over a quarter of a cen- 
tury been iirominently connected with the 
prosperity and advancement of Linn County. Com- 
ing here at the close of the war, he settled upon a- 
wild and unimproved tract of land, where he still 
makes his home. The passing years have witnessed 
great improvement in this vicinit}', until it almost 
seems as though an enchanted wand had trans- 
formed the wilderness into its present condition 
of cultivated fields, thickly dotted with modern 
farm houses. 

John Bargar, our subject's father, who was born 
in 1806 in Pennsylvania, was a blacksmith in earl3- 
years, and later became a farmer. He was descended 
from an old Pennsylvania Dutch family; his father, 
Jacob Bargar, removed to Ohio in 1812, settling 
on a farm near Cadiz, Harrison County, whei-e he 
w^as among the early pioneers. The mother of our 
subject bore the maiden name of Eliza A. Gatchell. 
She was born in 1810 in Chester County, Pa., and 
with her father removed to Harrison County in its 



early history. Tiiere she was married, Mr. Bargar 
remaining in that vicinity for a number of years. 
In 1846 he located in Tuscarawas County, settling 
upon a partly imiHoved farm. His death occurred 
in November, 1877, while his wife did not long 
survive him, being called to her final rest in the fol- 
lowing year. Of their eight children, seven are 
living. They are as follows: Mary, Mrs. John 
Crom, living in Ohio; Jacob G.; Lydia, Mrs. H. R. 
Ripley, a resident of Ohio; Henry C, who lives in 
Linn County; Ilirain K.,alsoof this count}'; Jennie, 
Mrs. Irwin Wood, living in Idaho; and AVilliam 
L. of Colorado. A daughter Ann, wife of Thomas 
Latto, died man}- years ago. The parents were 
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and 
the father until 1840 was a Democrat. He then 
became atliliated witli tlie Whig part}' and on the 
organization of the Republican party became its 
supporter. He was a successful farmer, his property 
comprising two hundred and forty acres, and to 
each of his children he gave 11,000 in cash. 

On December 11, 1837, in Harrison County, 
Ohio, occurred the birth of Judge Bargar, who was 
reared on a farm. He received a common-school 
education and learned the carpenter's trade about 
1856, continuing in that line of occupation until 
the late war. On October 18, 1861, he enlisted as 
a private in the Sixth Light Battery of Ohio. He 
was soon after appointed an Artificer, with rank of 
a non-commissioned officer. Tlie battery was oro'an- 
ized at Mansfield, Ohio, by Senator John Sherman 
as recruiting officer. They were placed under com- 
mand of Cullen Bradley, who is living at the present 
time in Clay County, hid. The battery was known 
as Bradley's and was sent to Kentucky, where at 
Louisville tiiey went into camp for a short time. 
They were then sent to the Cumberland River to 
intercept Gen. Zollicoffer at Horseshoe Bend, and 
remained there that winter. 

In the spring of the following year they pro- 
ceeded by transport boats to Nashville, Tenn., be- 
ing placed as reserve artillery in Buell's army. 
They marched to Shiloh to the assistance of Gen. 
Grant and were soon assigned to Wood's division 
in Buell's army. Tiiey were present at the sieo'e 
of Corinth, from wiiere they went to Stephenson, 
Ala., there remaining until Hragg's invasion of 



126 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Kentucky. By hard, enforced marches they started 
for Louisville, through Kentucky, and were present 
at the close of the battle of Perryville. Thence 
they went to Nashville and took a prominent part 
in the battle of Stone River, on which battlefield 
our subject was appointed Corporal for valiant 
service. The engagement began December 30, 
1862, and was not closed until January 3, 1863. 
In April, 1864, Mr. Bargar was detailed on the 
recruiting service and sent to Ohio. In November 
of that year he was relieved, joining his battery at 
Chattanooga about the 22d of that month. He 
was present at the important battles of Lookout 
Mountain and Missionary Ridge, which occurred 
December 12. After a thirty-days furlough he re- 
enlisted as a veteran and returned to Chattanooga, 
where the battery was reorganized and lie was ap- 
pointed Sergeant, serving as such through the At- 
lanta campaign under Gen. Thomas, in which he 
took part in the following battles: Buzzard's Roost, 
Resaca, Adairsville, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, 
siege of Atlanta, Jonesboro and I^ovejoy Station. 
The battery was a part of the Fourth Army Corps 
under Gen. O. O. Howard, but after Atlanta it was 
under command of Gen. Stanley. At Pulaski, 
Tenn., our subject was mustered out of the Sixth 
Ohio Battery Light Artillery on November 16, 
1864, the reason being his promotion to tiie rank of 
Second Lieutenant in the Ninth Regiment United 
States Heavy Artillery. He had successfully passed 
an examination before the examining board 
at Nashville, Tenn., March 30, receiving his 
appointment and assignment after he had been 
mustered out. He reported to the commanding 
officer at Nashville and was assigned to duty 
there in Company C. February 3, 1865, he was 
sent on recruiting duty, in which he was em- 
ployed for three months, then returning to his 
reuiment at Nashville, was there finally mustered 
out August 2, 1865. 

In a circular letter issued from the otHce of the 
Adjutant-General at Columbus, Ohio, dated June 
1 1866, which was directed to our subject, was en- 
closed a bronze medal witli the following inscrip- 
tion: "State of Ohio to Jacob G. Bargar, Veteran 
Sixth Independent Battery, Ohio Volunteer Artil- 
lery." On the reverse side is a relief figure of tiie 



Goddess of Victory placing a wreath upon the head 
of a soldier, and the dates "1861-1865." Inhis 
possession are also the following testimonials to his 
valiant service and personal worth, which were to 
be used in connection with his application for a 
commission: 

Chattanoo(;a, Tenn., March 7, '64. 
Headquarters Sixth Ohio Light Battery. 

Approved and most respectfully forwarded. 

Sergeant Jacob G. Bargar has served in the Bat- 
tery ever since its organization, A. D. 1861, most 
of the time in the capacity of a non-commissioned 
officer, always performing his duty well and to the 
entire satisfaction of his superior officers. He is a 
perfectly temperate man and worth^y of any position 
he may be favored with. I therefore cheerfully 
recommend him to your consideration. 

O. H. P. Aykks, 
First-Lieutenant Sixth Ohio Battery. 

Headquarters office of Chief of Artillery, Third 
Division, Fourth Army Corps. 

Another letter of the same date is as follows: 

I have known Sergeant Bargar for over two 
years and during thnt time he has served as anon- 
commissioned officer in this battery, and from my 
own personal knowledge can fully endorse ail that 
Lieut. Ayres says. The application is made in his 
own hand writing. He is as good a man as can be 
found in the service, and will fill any position in 
whicii he may be placed with credit to himself and 
his country. 1 therefore earnestly recommend 
him to the Board of Examiners. 

Cvu.KN Bkadlky, 
Captain and Chief of Artillery, Third Division, 

Fourth Arm}- Corps. 

In 1864 Judge Bargar married Miss Harriet M. 
Vasbinder, a native of Tuscarawas Count}', Ohio, 
her birth occurring in May, 1837. Tiiey have 
three children, Stella, Adda and William Hayes. 
The last-named when but three years of age named 
himself Hayes. Some time after, our subject meet- 
ing President Hayes told him of this and the Presi- 
dent laugliingly offered to exchange photos with 
the young man, which was done. 

Tlie Judge is a charter member of C. G. Harper 
Post No. 88, of Jleadville, and was its first Com- 
mander. Politically, he is a firm though liberal 
Republican, and for many years has been Clerk of 
School District No. 6. In 1892 he was elected 
County Judge of the AVestern District of Linn 
County, to vvhicli he was nominated without 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



127 



his knowledge. He was elected in a district which 
has usually a Democratic majority of one hundred 
and twenty. As a farmer he has been more than 
(udinarily successful, now owning two hundred 
and eighty-one acres, on which he built a fine resi- 
dence in 1876 at a cost of $1,500. He keeps a 
good grade of Shorthorn cattle and has a number 
of fine Norman horses. 



/^OL. B. F. NORTHCOTT, a brave officer 
[1(^1, and patriotic citizen, was one of the early 
^^^J pioneer preachers of Illinois and Missouri, 
and, speaking the word of God with eloquent and 
convincing sincerity has occupied also various of- 
ficial positions of trust, ever discliarging the duties 
reposed in him with ability and fidelity. In 1847, 
our subject enjoyed the distinguished honor of 
being a member of the convention which framed 
the Constitution of Illinois. In 1867 Col. North- 
cott received a touching proof of the high esteem 
in which his fellow-citizens held him, he then being 
elected to the Mayoral Chair of Linneus without 
one opposing vote or dissenting voice. Our sub- 
ject is a native of Hillsboro, Fleming County, Ky., 
and was born Ma3' 29, 1817. His paternal great- 
grandfather, Hosea Northcott, was born and reared 
in South Carolina, and was a farmer and fisher- 
man, owning a large seine, which would catch at 
one haul one hundred thousand herrings. 

William Northcott, the grandfather, was born 
in South Carolina, but moved into North Caro- 
lina in early manhood, and there married Miss 
Sarah Williams. Grandfather Northcott was a 
practical farmer and stock-raiser, and was also a 
patriotic man, and, forsaking the peaceful pur- 
suits of agriculture, served bravely in the War of 
the Revolution. He and his good wife were the 
parents of four manly sons: Benjamin, AVilliam, 
Hosea and John. Benjamin Northcott, the father of 
our subject, was opposed to slavery, and at twentj'- 
one years of age left his father's estate and with 
his most precious possessions, his rifle and fiddle, 
went to Kentucky and settled a few uiiles north- 



east of Lexington, and began preaching in the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, where he remained 
for three years. He then removed to Maysville, 
in Mason County, and there continued his minis- 
terial work. His next location was in Flemings- 
burgh, where he married Miss Jane Armstrong. 
With his wife, he settled upon a farm in Fleming 
County, and devoted himself to the tilling of the 
soil and teaching school. By his first marriage 
Father Northcott became the father of three chil- 
dren. The second wife of Benjamin Northcott 
was Miss Martha, the daughter of William Odell, 
at one time a Southern slave-holder, but who, free- 
ing his negroes, fourteen in number, went to Ohio 
and located in Adams County, near West Union. 

Mrs. Martha (Odell) Northcott was a native of 
Greenbrier County, W. Va., but was a resident of 
Ohio when she was married to the father of our 
subject. Twelve children gathered around the fam- 
ily hearth, and with their cheerful presence blessed 
the home. Of the sisters and brothers Col. North- 
cott was the ninth in order of birth. F'our of the 
once large family still survive. The eldest, Eleanor 
Pettijohu, lives in Noblesville, Ind.; Mrs. Sophia 
Dewley, of Fleming County, Ky.; Col. Northcott 
and Henry Clay Northcott. Father Northcott, 
who was a man of energy, courage and resolution, 
served ably as Sheriff of Fleming (Jount}^ and was 
also an efficient Justice of the Peace. In Fleming 
County he occupied the responsible position of 
Justice of the Count3' Court. From the time he 
attained his majority until he passed away at 
eighty-four years of age, Benjamin Northcott spent 
a life of honored usefulness and devoted his time 
mostly to the duties of agriculture and preach- 
ing the Word that "all might know the truth 
and be saved." The mother, a helpmate indeed 
and a fitting companion to her revered husband, 
lived to the good old age of eighty-two. Father 
Northcott was one of the most eloquent and con- 
vincing of the circuit riders of those early days, 
and it was not uncommon for dozens of hardened 
people at one time to yield to conviction under 
his exhortations. 

Col. Northcott was educated in the public 
schools of Kentucky, and trained in the daily 
round of duty upon the farm. When about 



128 



PORTEAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tweut3'-three years old lie went to Illinois, and in 
the latter" part'of 1839 settled in Menard County, 
about eight miles east of Petersburgh, where he 
rented land and engaged in farming and stock- 
raising for ten j-ears. In the fall of, 1840 our 
subject returned to Fleming County, Ky., where 
he married Miss Elizabeth A. Christy, who was 
reared in Kentucky, and was a daughter of Joseph 
Christ}', a prominent general agriculturist and 
stock-raiser of the State. 

In 184',) Col. Nortlicott joined the Illinois Meth- 
odist Episcopal Conference and began preaching 
at Mt. Sterling, Brown County, where he remained 
two years and then took charge of a church in 
Pike County. At the end of two years he was 
transferred to the Missouri Conference and ap- 
pointed Presiding Elder of the Hannibal District. 
This district at that time comprised half of North- 
ern INIissouri, and our subject made his headquar- 
ters at Linneus. Transferred back to the Illinois 
Conference, he preached one year at Mendou, and 
was then appointed Presiding Elder of the Quincy 
District and afterward was Presiding Elder of the 
Griggsville District. In 1862 Col. Northcott enlisted 
as Lieutenant-Colonel in the Seventj'-third Illinois 
Infantry, and remained in the service until his 
failing health compelled him to resign, in Febru- 
ary, 186.3. 

After Col. Northcott left the array he returned 
to Linn County, Mo., where he settled upon land 
and engaged in farming and stock-raising. In 
1866 he came to Linneus and went into a law 
and land office with his son, B. J. Northcott, and 
devoted himself to securing railroad communica- 
tion, and, having effected this, was made first Man- 
aging Director and afterward President of the 
road, which was then called the Northern Missouri 
Central. Later, this line became the Linneus Branch 
of the B. & S. W. Our subject now met with re- 
verses in business, having advanced money to help 
build the road, and so, when the affairs of the line 
were settled, he engaged in farming. In 1881 
Col. Northcott and his son Charles started the 
Linn County Neivs, which became under their ex- 
cellent management a leading Republican organ 
of the State. Our subject retained his interest in 
this paper until lie retired from active business. 



and now leads a very quiet life, preaching occa- 
sionallj' and as eloquently as of "yore. Five^chil- 
dren of our subject's family lived to mature age. 
The eldest son, B. J. Northcott, is a clerk in the 
Pension Department in Washington; Mrs. D. W. 
Barclay is the wife of a prosperous farmer residing 
near Enterprise, Linn County, Mo., Mrs. G. G. 
Alexander is also the wife of a Linn County 
farmer; Charles W. Northcott is running the Sum- 
ner Star; and Mrs. D. V. Onniston is the wife of 
the editor of the Linn County News and the pres- 
ent Postmaster of Linneus. 

Politicall}', our subject began his adult life a 
Whig, and afterward joined the Republican party, 
sharing in its many honors and triumphs. He is 
also a strong temperance man, and opposed to the 
continuance of the liquor traffic in any form. Fra- 
ternall}', he has long been a valued member of the 
Ancient Free &, Accepted Masons, and within and 
without this order has a host of true and sincere 
friends. The busy life of Col. Northcott has been 
replete with self-sacrifice and devotion to the bet- 
terment of mankind. The sunshine of prosperity 
and the storms of adversity have each crossed his 
pathway, but through the many changes incidental 
to his long career in the Southwest lie has ever 
been sustained andjguided by the sterling prin- 
ciples of unfailing rectitude and honor. Respected 
by all and regarded with affectionate esteem by 
old acquaintances and friends of eaily days, Col. 
Northcott may review the history of his past 
with pleasure and feel well assured that of him it 
will be written, "He hath done what he could." 



^ll'ARON B. CONROW. Confidence is the 
LJJ basis of business, and they who live up to 
ii the mark of integrity serve as lights for 
. the paths of others. The reputation of 
our subject is that of a just and upright man, 
doing as he would be done by. He is now en- 
gaged in pork-p.acking in Richmond, and is one 
of the public-spirited citizens of this thriving 



' j:^^,. 



{e 









PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD. 



131 



place. The third child of Aaron H. and Mary 
((.Jueseuberr^-) Conrow, our subject was born in 
Ray C'ouutj^ Mo., October 28, 1858. He passed 
his boyhood days in Richmond, wliere he attended 
the public schools, and afterward prosecuted his 
studies in the old Richmond College. 

Entering the hardware and grocer^' store of 
Capt. John P. Quesenberry as clerk, our subject 
labored with energy and fidelity in that position 
for three years, when he took an interest in the 
business, the firm name being changed to John P. 
Quesenberry & Co. This partnership continued 
for four years, when our subject sold out his in- 
terest and started in the same line of business 
alone, but one year later disposed of his stock to 
his brother, W. S. Conrow. The Richmond Trans- 
fer Company then, in 1887, came into his posses- 
sion by purchase, and this enterprise he conducted 
with success. He also superintended the manage- 
ment of a fruit farm of forty acres just north of 
the city, which he has recentlj' sold. 

November 17, 1881, our subject married Miss 
Ellen Menefee, daughter of La Fayette S. and 
Mary H. (Colgan) Menefee, of Richmond. Mrs. 
Conrow was born in Camden, Ray County, and 
removed to Richmond with her parents when an 
infant. Mr. Conrow served for one term very 
etficiently and satisfactorily as a member of the 
City Council, and is a prominent Democrat. He 
is a member of Richmond Lodge No. 57,1. O. O. F. 
He and his vvife are worthy members of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church South. They have a hand- 
some and homelike residence on Main Street. 



y.j W. SMITH, the well-known financier and 
successful banker, is the President of the 
\J^ Lawson Bank, and also of the Exchange 
Bank of Richmond, both in Ray County. Mr. 
Smith was born in Guilford County, N. C, May 5, 
1827, and belongs to a family whose representa- 
tives have borne an honorable part in national af- 
fairs, both as brave soldiers and public-spirited cit- 
izens. Ills grandfather, William Smith, was one of 



the heroes who participated in the battle of Guil- 
ford Court House. The father of our subject, Jed- 
ediah Smith, also a native of (iuilford County, 
served in the War of 1812, and was at Norfolk, 
Va., when peace was declared. 

In the county above-named, .ledediah Smith en- 
gaged in the general mercantile business until his 
departure for Missouri. Prior to his removal he 
married Jane Close, a native of the county. He 
came to Ray County in 1838, and after sojourning 
for a few months in Richmond, located in tovvn- 
sliip 52, range 29, in the spring of the following 
year. Here he purchased land and entered a large 
tract from the Government, becoming in time one 
of the largest land-owners in the community. Set- 
tlers were few and at long distances from one an- 
other, but they were hospitable people, and in their 
log cabins there was alwa}-s room for the passing 
stranger. Mr. Smith turned his attention to farm- 
ing, and labored indefatigabl}', as he had come 
with the object of increasing his fortune, but he 
had quite a set-back during the panic of 1837 and 
the dark days that followed. 

Five children constituted the parental familv, 
namely: John C, a physician, who died in 1846; 
Joseph A., whose sketch appears elsewhere in this 
volume; Susan A., who married Dr. Watson, of 
Buchanan County, IMo., and died about 1863; our 
subject, and Margaret Emma, wife of Mr. Cum- 
mins, of Lawson. The father was a prominent 
member of the Presbyterian Church and served as 
Elder. In politics he was a Democrat of the old 
school, fervent in his admiration of Gen. Jackson, 
and always a supporter of the straight ticket. He 
came of good old English stock, iiis grandsire, 
John Smith, having emigrated from England and 
purchased a large tract of land in North Carolina. 
There is in the family a record of the sale by him 
to a Mr. Clapp of a tract of land, bearing date of 
the year 1730. 

Our subject was eleven years old when he ac- 
companied iiis parents to Ray County. He attended 
the local schools, and later was a student in a High 
School in Maury Countj% Tenn., where he com- 
pleted his course of instruction. Returning from 
school, he remained at home for some time, trad- 
ing in stock, and during the war with Mexico 



132 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



made quite a handsome sura of money, enough to 
give him a fairly good start in life, by trading in 
mules. The California gold epidemic reached him 
in 1850, and with three companions he drove 
across the plains with a team of mules, and reached 
the diggings in three months. Upon reaching their 
destination, one of the part}' left and the others 
opened a provision store. One Hays worked in 
the mines, and Mr. Finch of tlie original party, 
worked with him, while our subject took charge 
of the store. They remained in all about a year, 
when our subject grew homesick and the party 
divided, he returning to Missouri, where he re- 
mained at home for some time, giving many hours 
to hunting wolves, deer and other wild game. 

After his marriage in 1857, Mr. Smith took charge 
of the farm, and continued in its management un- 
til 1885, during which time ho engaged very suc- 
cessfully in raising mules and cattle. In August, 
1885, he came to Lawson, where he has since re- 
mained, occupying an elegant residence, one of the 
finest in the entire county. In addition to iiis city 
{)ropei'ty he owns about two thousand acres of land 
in Ray, Clay, Clinton and Caldwell Counties. His 
wife was Sallie, daughter of John V. Miles, a mer- 
chant of Kentucky, who afterward came to Ray 
Count3\ Mrs. ISmith was born in Lawrenceburgh, 
Ky., and accompanied her father to this State when 
she was (|uite young. She has borne her husband nine 
children, six daughters and three sons, all of whom 
are successful and prominent citizens of their var- 
ious communities. R. A. and Miles W. are conduct- 
ing the farm, and Clay is assistant in the bank. 
The eldest daughter, Alice, married Dr. W. G. Es- 
tell; Jennie became the wife of A. J. Watkins. 
The others are Kate, Annie, Sally and Klla. The 
children have received good educations, and are a 
credit to their parents. 

A Democrat in politics, Mr. Smith is interested 
in the success of his party, although he does not 
take an active part in jrolitical affairs. He is a 
member of the Masonic order, and is activelj' in- 
terested in the welfare of that ancient institution, 
having been one of the charter members at Green- 
ville, and also at Lawson. For nearly twenty years 
he has been a Deacon in the Presbyterian Church, 
in which lie lias always been a zealous worker, and 



a liberal supporter both of the church and the 
Sunday-school. He is also a Trustee of Lawson 
College, and has manifested the utmost generosity 
toward this institution, giving it the land on which 
the building stands, as well as a very liberal cash 
contribution. He is a member of the firm of Hurt 
& Smith, who own the largest mercantile establish- 
ment in Lawson. He has fenced more than one 
thousand acres of land, has greatl}- improved his 
farm property in various ways, extended his bank- 
ing interests and promoted the success of the mer- 
cantile house with which he is connected. When 
he and his wife began housekeeping they had a 
liome-made bedstead, and their entire household 
effects did not cost 1=15. There was not a carpet 
upon the Boor, and the comforts were very few, 
yet to-day he is one of the wealthiest men in Raj' 
County. This gratifying success may be attributed 
to his perseverance, untiring energy and good 
judgment, qualities which almost invariably bring 
fortune to their possessor. 



NTHONY 8. BROAVN, a well-known and 
respected citizen of Liberty, Clay Count}', 
was born in Monroe County, Ky., near 
Tompkinsville, June 2, 1841, being the 
son of Thomas W. Brown, a native of Kentucky. 
His paternal grandfather, Thomas Brown, was the 
son of Thomas Brown, a soldier in the War of the 
Revolution and of Scotch descent. The mother of 
our subject. Mar}- (Smith) Brown, was a native of 
Tennessee, born in Greene County on the 19th of 
December, 1820, and removed with her parents to 
Monroe County, Ky., when eight years old, where 
she grew to womanhood and was married. 

The father of our subject died in 1849, and the 
latter continued upon the farm until 1866, when, 
his mother having married a second time, he re- 
moved to Keai'ney, then Centreville, Clay County, 
Mo., with that parent. The latter is the daughter 
of Anthony Smith, and is still living at Kearney, in 
the seventy-second year of her age, being of a 
lonu-lived Scotch-Dutch faniilv. Seven children 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



133 



were born to her, four by ber first aud three by 
her second luisband, the latter dying in Kentucky 
in 1859. 

Our subject passed liis youth in Kentucky, 
where he received the benefits of a superior educa- 
tion, spending the years of the war at the High 
School. In 1866, he accompanied his mother to 
Kearney, and there, in 1868, started in a mercan- 
tile business, carr3ing a large stock of hardware 
and doing a very successful trade for thirteen 
years, when he sold out and went to Liberty, Mo. 
Here he opened a grocer3\ continuing it for fifteen 
months, and then retired from business, devoting 
all his time to his property interests. 

Our subject was married September 14, 1875, to 
Miss Ruth M. Groom, the daughter of Capt. John 
S. Groom, of Clay County, Mo., and a prominent 
f.arraer. She died in 1882, leaving two little girls, 
Maj' Kate and Ruth, the latter being deceased. 
His second wife was Bertlia B. Brining, whom he 
married November 6, 1883, at Libert3f, Mo. She 
was born -in this place, and is a daughter of Will- 
iam Brining, an early settler and prominent citi- 
zen of Liberty. Mrs. Brown is a graduate of 
Liberty High School, and a lady of superior attain- 
ments, with a large circle of admiring friends. 
The family' residence is a handsome structure in 
West Liberty, on a high hill overlooking the en- 
tire cit}'. 



-f- 



-^^—^ 



QUIRE SILVANUS F. PERRY, who makes 
his home in Bucklin, Linn County, is much 
interested in all that pertains to the growth 
and advancement of this locality. He is a 
leading and influential citizen, having served for 
twenty j'ears as Justice of the Peace, and as Notary 
Public for twent3'-two years. His father, James 
Perr3', was born in Virginia in 1795. The latter 
was a son of William, also a native of Virginia, 
who removed to North Carolina from that State 
very soon after tlie Revolutionar3- War. The fam- 
il3' is one of the aristocratic Virginia ones of Eng- 
lish ancestrv. The mother of our subject, who 
was born in 1799, in Nortii Carolina, bore the 



maiden name of Martha Griffith. She was of 
Welsh descent, and was married in North Carolina. 
James Perry had previously married her sister. 
He resided in North Carolina until 1844, engaged 
in agricultural pursuits, and at that time removed 
Westvvard, settling in Macon County, Mo. He lo- 
cated where the city of Callao now stands, and was 
among the early settlers of the county. He made 
a permanent home, cleared and improved a farm, 
and was activel3' interested and identified with the 
prosperitj' of that region. He was a strong Whig, 
politically, and iiad served as a Captain in the 
militia. He was called from this life in 1857, 
while the death of his wife occurred some four 
years later. She was a consistent member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and b3- her marriage 
became the mother of ten children, three of whom 
are now deceased. Those living are as follows: 
Elizabeth, Mrs. George Finnell; Mar3% Mrs. John 
Gillan; George W.; AVilliam M.; Silvanus F., our 
subject; Thomas G. and James Edward. 

The birth of him of whom we write occurred in 
Chatham County, N. C, December 14, 1835. When 
nine years of age, with his parents he came to Mis- 
souri, and was reared to manhood on a farm in 
Macon County. His educational advantages were 
limited, being those of the early subscription 
schools. %Vhen attaining his majorit3',he launciied 
out in the world to make his fortune. In 1859, 
catching the prevalent gold fever, he crossed the 
plains with an ox-team, taking two months and 
eleven da3'S in the journey from his home to what is 
now the beautiful city of Denver. He spent several 
weeks in the mines of the Rock3- Mountains, re- 
turning home in the fall with but a ^5 gold coin 
as the fruit of his toil and liardships. In that win- 
ter he worked at an3'thing by which he might earn 
an honest dollar. In 1860, he concluded that he 
was much in need of a belter education, therefore 
he entered McGee College, in the southern part of 
Macon Countj', where he pursued his studies un- 
til the school was closed on account of rumors of 
the approaching war. He then settled on a farm 
in Macon Count3', which was raw land and heavil3- 
timbered. It was about this time, in 1862, that Mr. 
Perry was first married, his union being with Miss 
Mary E. tireen, of M.acon County, wlio was born 



134 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



in 1841. She assisted her husband in his arduous 
pioneer experience, but on account of extremely 
poor iiealth, he was soon obliged to sell out, after 
whieli he purchased an improved farm, which he 
cultivated for about a year, and tlien in 1867 came 
to Bucklin, Linn County. In February, 1869, he 
went into the mercantile business in partnership 
with R. W. Green, as he found that he was physi- 
cally unable to continue the labor incident to farm 
life, and for two years previous to this time had 
been unable to do anything. 

In April, 1870, occurred the death of our sub- 
ject's first wife, who by her marriage became the 
mother of three children, two of whom died in in- 
fancy, the other after manhood. On the 7th of 
March, 1871, Mr. Perry was united in marriage 
with Miss T. Elizabeth Jones, of Callaway County, 
]\Io., who was born in 1847. To them was born a 
son. David Lee, who is now residing with his fa- 
ther, his mother having died in 1874. 

In 1870, Mr. Perry sold out his business, after 
which he again embarked in general merchandis- 
ing, continuing In that line until 1874, when it 
was temporarily closed out. In Februar}-, 1889, 
he once more entered the mercantile field, and for 
the last five years has conducted a real-estate and 
conveyancing office. In 1890, he owned, edited 
and published the liucklin Herald, selling the same 
to its present owner. For a quarter of a century 
he has been a newspaper correspondent, and has 
alwa.ys taken a lively interest in literary societies, 
being a strong and leading debater in the same. 

In August, 1876, Mr. Perry wedded Miss Mary 
Frances Runyon, who was born in 18;J1, in Chan- 
ton County. Their family consists of three sons 
and a daughter, as follows: John F., Maude, Guy 
and James. Both the parents are members of the 
Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Bucklin. Mr. 
Perry has been an active member of that denomina- 
tion for thirty-two years, and for a quarter of a 
century has been an Elder in the church. For 
many }'ears he was much interested in the Sunday- 
school work. 

In the cause of education Mr. Perry takes a lead- 
ing part, making it one of his chief objects in life 
to give his children a thorough education, lie h.as 
been a member of the local School Board for seven 



years. In politics, he has been a lifelong Demo- 
crat, though he was opposed to secession. For 
thirty years be has been a member of the Masonic 
order, having been Secretary of Bucklin Lodge 
No. 332 for some time. The Squire has been fre- 
quently sent as a delegate to county conventions, 
and in the fall of 1892 was offered an opportunity 
to run as a candidate for the Legislature in this 
district, which, however, he declined to do. He 
has served his fellow-townsmen as a member of the 
City Council, and is truly one of the representa- 
tive men of the county. 



'■ ' °^ 



E^^ 



BRAM L. NORFLEET, M. D., Cashier of 
the Kearney Bank, and a man of great 
influence in this city, is the subject of our 
((^ present writing. Dr. Norfleet was born 
in Miller County, Mo., on the 13th of January, 
1858. He IS the son of Larkin Norfleet, who was 
a native of Waj'ne County, Kj'., born in the 
j year 1815, and the grandfather was James Nor- 
I fleet, also a native of Kentucky. The original 
1 members of the family of this name came to Amer- 
ica from Ireland in Colonial times, and settled in 
the rich lands of Kentucky, and there the family 
led an agricultural life, the grandfather of our sub- 
ject dying at the age of eighty 3'ears. When 
Larkin Norfleet grew to manhood he became a 
farmer also and remained in Kentucky until about 
1850 and then moved to Miller County, Mo., where 
he bought a farm near Mt. Pleasant and there he 
lived until 1866. 

At this time Mr. Norfleet decided to make an- 
other change and went to Johnson County, where 
he lived for three years, and then removed into 
LaFayette County, where he settled, and is now 
living, enjoying good health. He now owns two 
hundred and forty .acres of fine land near May view, 
for although he began the battle of life single- 
handed he has exercised good judgment, and is 
now a wealthy and highly esteemed citizen. In 
politics Mr. Norfleet is a voter with the Prohibition 
parly. Until recently he was a member of the 



PORTRAIT AND BlOGRAPmCAL RECORD. 



135 



Democratic party, but in late years his views have 
changed, and now tlic Proliibition is liis choice. 
Himself, wife and famil}' belong to the Methodist 
Church, and are peoi)le who command the respect 
of every one in all the relations of life. 

The mother of our subject was Frances Gann, 
who was born in Wayne County, Ky.,in 1817, and 
is still living in the enjoyment of health at her 
pleasant home. She reared the following children, 
Elizabeth, Rosaline, James, Fannie (deceased), 
Louis and Linnie (twins),Thomas, our subject and 
Leona. This brief outline brings us to the subject 
of this sketch. 

Abram L. Norfleet was the ninth child in the 
family of ten children born to Larkin and Frances 
Norfleet. He grew up on tlie farm as young lads 
do, occupied with the homely duties which fall to 
the share of the boys, "chores," and attended the 
district school and then the village school at 
Mayview. Until he was twenty years old he 
remained at work on the farm, and then be- 
gan to read medicine. For this purpose our 
subject entered the oflice of Dr. .J. B. Wood, of 
Waverly, in 1879, and continued there for six 
months and at the end of that time was prepared 
to enter the St. Louis Medical College. During 
his vacation he continued under the instruction of 
Dr. Wood, and thus he was enabled to graduate 
from tiie college in 1882. 

Dr. Norfleet settled in this place to practice and 
continued here for eighteen months, and then spent 
a winter in the Bellevue Medical College, New York, 
and Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, 
and upon liis return he continued in practice un- 
til 1887, when he was elected Cashier of the bank 
here and has served ever since in that capacity. 
Although he does not practice he is called into 
consultation from all parts of the county. 

Dr. Norfleet is a stockholder in the bank, which 
had run for five years before he took charge of it 
on a capital of $10,000 but he has worked it up to 
$30,000 and last year paid 13,300 in dividends. 
This is a State bank. The domestic life of our 
subject began June 22, 1887, wlien he married Miss 
JInrie L. Park, who was born in Kentucky, and one 
little daughter has come into his home, Helen Lu- 
cille. The faith of his parents is the one to which 



the Doctor and his estimable wife subscribe,"that 
of the grand old church of Wesle}^ The neat and 
pleasant dwelling of the Doctor's family was erected 
in 1886 and here he delights in seeing his friends. 
For many years the Doctor has been identified 
with the Democratic party, but the change in the 
aspect of public questions in late years has made 
of him a Prohibitionist. For two years he has 
served as Alderman, and is a highly regarded mem- 
ber of the Masonic lodge. 



-^-#^l< 



1/ OUIS G. CLEMENTS. Though by no means 
il (©I old in years, our subject is an old settler 
/I^VN in Ray Count}'. In fact, he has passed 
his entire life within its limits, having been born 
June 2, 1839, not far from his present farm, in 
township 50, range 28. He is a son of William 
and Harriet Ann (Gregoiy) Clements, natives of 
Amherst County, Va., the father having been born 
about 1803, and the mother in 1807. 

The father of our subject spent the da}-s of his 
boyhood and youth alternately upon a farm, in 
the schoolroom, and at the bench of a carpenter, 
he having learned that trade. He married in his 
native county and his wife bore him eight chil- 
dren, one of whom died young. In 1829 he jour- 
neyed with his family in wagons from Virginia to 
Ray County, Mo., where he bought one hundred 
and sixty acres near the farm now owned by our 
subjeet. Upon the home there established he re- 
remained until his death in 1852. The mother of 
our subject survived her husband but a few 
months, dying in the same j'ear. Thus these seven 
children, being deprived of both parents, were 
thrown on their own resources. 

Our subject at once began to support himself 
by working upon a farm, and received $9 per 
month for his services, continuing to work for 
others for a number of years. In 1857, while 3'ct 
a boy, he crossed the plains to California, driv- 
ing a team of cattle the entire distance for others 
in order to pay his way. After his arrival in 
the State he located in SacranuMito Valley and re- 



136 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



mained there two years, when he retvirned by way 
of the two oceans and resumed his labors as a 
hired man upon the farm. In 1888 he had accu- 
mulated enough money to purchase his present 
farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which he 
has improved until he has a good property. 

A few years after his return from the West 
Mr. Clements married Mary, daughter of Henry 
and Emeline Hill, who bore him four children: 
Lj'da A., Minnie, Lutie, and one child who died 
young. Death deprived Mr. Clements of his wife, 
and later he married Sarah F. Graves, daughter of 
Thomas and L}-dia Ann (Adams) Ci raves. Our 
subject is a Democrat in politics, and his sym- 
pathies are with that party. All that he has un- 
dertaken has been done earnestly, and though 
early thrown upon his own resources, he had a hard 
fight against adverse circumstances, he worked 
hard and well without being discouraged, and is 
now beginning to reap the good results of his 
faithful labor. His many friends believe in his 
ability, and point to what he has accomplished as 
proof of the mettle of which he is made. 



BNER .1. PORTEK. When tlie question is 
asked by the stranger in this beautiful 
lii country, "Who is your most liberal sup- 
(^ porter of the church and charities," the 

universal reply is that in the whole township of 
Kearney none can be found to fill the bill as does 
the prominent man whose name opens this sketch. 
It is with the greatest pleasure that the biographer 
places before the public in this brief record the 
few events in the life of this gentleman which in 
his modesty he is willing to permit to be used. 

Tiie gentleman of whom we write was born in 
Orange County, Va., September 19, 1827, and his 
father, Samuel Porter, was born in 1796 in the 
State of Virginia. The grandfather of our subject 
was a Briton, who came to this country and assisted 
his brother colonists in throwing off the unjust 
yoke of the Mother Country. He became a large 



planter in Virginia, owning at one time seven 
hundred acres of fine land in the Old Dominion, 
and he died there at about the age of sixty years. 
He had been a firm Whig in his political belief. 
In religion he was a member of the Baptist 
Church. 

The son of the above-mentioned gentleman, 
Samuel, who in the course of time became the fa- 
ther of our subject, was reared on the plantation 
and became the owner of slaves and of two hun- 
dred acres of land. He removed to this State in 
1843, coming by way of Guiandot, K_y., by land, 
thence b3' steamer to St. Louis, and then by laud 
to Saline County, where the famil}- spent the win- 
ter; in the spring they came on here. At this 
place he bought one hundred and sixt^' acres of 
land, a part of which our subject still owns. 
Thirty acres of the land had been cultivated by 
the former owner, and the latter had erected a log 
cabin with a mud and stick chimney- and pun- 
cheon floor. 

Finally Mr. Porter owned two hundred and 
forty acres of land, a part of which he entered. 
The children entered two sections of land in Car- 
roll County, Mo., and upon them the boys settled 
and improved them. Here Mr. Porter died at the 
age of seventy -seven. He had lived a good and 
consistent life, and was one of the pillars of the 
Baptist Church, to which much of his means went. 
In politics he was an old-line Whig, honest in his 
convictions. The mother of our subject was Mary 
Beckham, born in Virginia, in Culpeper County, 
in 1803. She reared ten of her eleven children. 
The names of these are well known throughout 
the country where the}' were reared, as follows: 
Eliza, Abner J., Hannah, Lucy, Mariah, Thomas, 
James, William, Benjamin and Mary. 

This devoted mother was permitted to live and 
minister to her family until her sixty-first year, 
and when she passed away the Baptist Church 
lost one of its most devoted and consistent mem- 
bers. She came of French ancestry; her father, 
Thomas, however, was born in Virginia, where he 
became a large farmer, there reared three boys, and 
died at the age of eightj' years. Our subject was the 
second child of his parents and grew up on the 
farm and earlv became accustomed to duties and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



137 



responsibilities. At the age of sixteen years lie 
came here with his father. His education was re- 
ceived in the subscription schools, and after com- 
ing to this State lie had the advantage of three 
months of schooling in a log schoolhouse, which 
had old-fasliioned slab benches for seats, and a 
great open fireplace. Mr. Porter still remembers 
the delights of the trip which the family took to 
reach their new home, as he was old enough to en- 
joy the pleasures of the long journey without 
feeling the privations. At this time game was 
very abundant, but our subject never developed 
into a hunter, as his natural kindness of disposi- 
tion would not permit of bis ruthlessly taking the 
lives of the innocent wild denizens of the forest. 

When nearly twenty-one years of age our sub- 
ject began life for himself. This was in 1848. He 
left the shelter of his home, followed we know 
by the prayers of his mother, and made his way 
to Platte County, and there learned the trade of 
a brick mason and remained two j-ears, during 
which time he married. November 14, 1849, 
Miss Susan Dykes became his wife. She was a na- 
tive of this county, born February 27, 1835, and 
at first the happy young couple lived with Mr. 
Dykes for one year, and then came to the present 
farm, a part of the homestead, and here built a 
brick house. Nine children were born into the 
family' of our subject, seven of whom lived to ma- 
turity. Alice, who has passed away; George, John, 
Mary, Benjamin, Abner, Jr., Emerson and Nettie 
(deceased), twins, and Sarah were the children. 

Our subject now owns three hundred and fifty- 
five acres of land, although at one time he had 
five hundred. He has been very liberal to his 
children. His first purchase was of eighty acres, 
and then he entered one hundred and sixt3' acres, 
buying more and more from time to time. Upon 
this land Mr. Porter has engaged in mixed farm- 
ing, and has handled much stock and has raised 
many mules and hogs. At this time he is a man 
of wealth and has made a great deal of money 
out of his stock. 

Mr. Porter has been the kind patron of several 
boys outside his own family and they know what 
manner of man he is and regard him with esteem 
and affection. He is a stoekliohh']' in the Kearney 



Bank and also a Director, and for a time was the 
President of the Holt Bank, in which he holds 
stock. Both he and his first wife were members 
of the Christian Church; she died April 24, 1879, 
and he was married again, March 14, 1880, this time 
to Miss Sarah J. Laffoon, born in this county Octo- 
ber 20, 1835. Our subject joined the Christian 
Church in 1849 and has contributed most freely 
to its support. He has been an Polder in Mt. 
Gilead Church for the past eighteen years. In his 
political belief Mr. Porter is a Democrat, and be- 
fore the war he was a Whig. The School Board 
has had in him an elficient President for man}- 
years, as he takes great interest in all educational 
matters. For the past twenty-five j-ears our sub- 
ject has been a member of the Masonic order, and 
has held man}- important offices in the same. For 
several 3'ears lie has belonged to the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellow. 

Mr. Porter has seen almost all the growth of the 
count}' and has done much to assist in it. His 
success in life has been very noticeable, and he at- 
tributes it to his having carried out the Biblical 
injunction, "Seek first the Kingdom of God, and 
all these things shall be added unto vou." 



RCHIBALD P. FOWLER. The young 
@74J| man who is the subject of this sketch is 
(I very nicely equipped for his life work, 
(^ and ought to be, as he doubtless is, a 

happy man. His farm is located on section 12, 
township 54, range 29, and is one of the most 
desirable in Ray County. He is the son of M. 
R. Fowler, of Polo, a well-known farmer of that 
region and the owner of eight hundred acres of 
land, owning at one time two thousand acres in 
this and adjoining counties. Our subject was born 
at the old homo place, near Elmira, in Ray County, 
Mo., March 20, 1865. He was reared at home 
and, after a preparatory training in the district 
schools, attended Rushville Normal School. Sub- 
sequent to that he taught school for some time in 
Hay Couiitv. 



138 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Our subject was married September 27, 1889, to 
Miss Pleasant, daugliter of Martin Rheard, a farmer 
of IM.arble Ilill, Caldwell County, Mo. Mrs. Fowler 
was reared in Caldwell County, and attended 
school at Kidder and Lathrop, graduating at the 
latter place. After his marriage Mr. Fowler located 
upon the farm where he has since resided. One 
child, Michael Martin, born August 6, 1890, has 
blessed the congenial union, and the home is a 
very pleasant and happy one. The residence is 
upon a splendid farm of three hundred and sev- 
enty-two acres of good and tillable land, all finely 
improved rolling prairie. Mr. Fowler also has 
two hundred acres in Caldwell County, Me., mak- 
ing altogether about six hundred acres of good 
land. 

While he follows the occupation of a general 
farmer and raises the various cereals and other 
farm products, our subject makes a specialtj' of 
stock-raising, and has some very fine cattle on 
his farm. lie likewise raises quite a number of 
hogs, having special facilities for that purpose. 
A verj' comfortable and attractive residence has 
been built by him upon the home place, and the 
api)earance of the homestead indicates the thrift 
and excellent judgment of the owner. Mr. Fowler 
is a member of the Christian Church, and is very 
useful in promoting the welfare of that organiza- 
tion. He is not as yet very active in politics, but 
takes a great interest in questions of public mo- 
ment and votes the Democratic ticket. 



'I^^ R. CRENSHAW is a prominent citizen 

Iffjjl of Knoxville, Ray County, whose life has 
%i^ been one of activity and not altogether free 
(^) from trials and reverses; yet he has been 
successful, both in securing a competency and in 
establishing himself in the respect and confidence 
of his neighbors and fi'iends. His parents were 
R. A. and Patsy (Rogers) Crenshaw, the father hav- 
ing been born in Montgomery County, Ky., on the 
28th of November, 1813, settling in Ray County, 
Mo., in 1837 or 1838, ujxjn a farm of six hun- 



dred acres, two miles southwest of Knoxville, and 
following farming for half a century. He and 
his estimable wife were the parents of eleven 
children, of whom three boys and one girl are liv- 
ing, and the remainder deceased. For a period of 
eighteen years he was a Justice of the Peace. 

Our subject was born October 28, 1839, in 
Jackson County, Mo.; he received a common-school 
education, and after growing up was for man}- 
years a farmer, but in 1891 he removed to Knox- 
ville, where he became a merchant. December 
31, 1862, he married Miss Nancy C. Yoakum, who 
has borne him two children: R. M., born January 
23, 1869; and Elizabeth C, born March 13, 1867, 
and who died September 8, 1869. Robert M. Cren- 
shaw, the sou of our subject, was married October 8, 
1890, to Lula Fowler, one of seven children of 
Micah and Elvira Fowler, her father being a gen- 
eral farmer and stock-raiser, who lived with his 
family near Elmira, Ray County, Mo., upon a 
farm of twelve hundred acres. The father of 
Mrs. Robert M. Crenshaw, besides being a farmer, 
was also a merchant at Lawson, Ray County, a 
dealer in groceries, hardware, etc. He and his 
wife were members of the Christian Church, and 
acceptable followers of the teachings of that body. 
Mr. Fowler is a Democrat, and an unfaltering sup- 
porter of the nominees of his party. 

Robert M. Crenshaw and wife had one child 
born to them September 21, 1891, who died Au- 
gust 18, 1892. The beloved mother of the child 
lived but a short time after its birth, she having 
died November 13, 1891. Robert was educated 
in Missouri, at Richmond and Sedalia, and lacked 
but a single term of graduating when he left 
school. He worked for several years with his fa- 
ther upon the farm; also taught school from 1887 
to 1891, and then became a partner in his father's 
store at Knoxville, Mo., receiving a one-half in- 
terest in the same. His fellow-citizens elected him 
Mayor of Knoxville, a position he held for a year; 
and he is now serving a term as Postmaster of 
that city. 

In politics Robert is a Democrat, and a verj' 
active and useful worker in that party. He has 
been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
South for six years, and is a Sunday-school teacher 



f^*^^ " yV^^- 







^^^*^^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



141 



in that body, a position lie has filled for several 
years. Our subject, H. R. Crenshaw, has been a 
member of the same church as his son for thirty 
years, his wife also being a member, and both being 
most acceptable and worth 3- helpers. Our subject 
is a Democrat, and has been lo3-al to that party 
ever since he reached manhood. 



--^ 



G 



^^^EORGE W. BUCHANAN, M. D. Promi- 
nent in the medical fraternity of Hay 
County maj' be mentioned the name of Dr. 
Buchanan, an influential citizen and successful 
physician and surgeon of Richmond. His practice 
is extensive, and as he possesses a thorough knowl- 
edge of his profession, he has won his way upward 
to an honored position in the confidence and es- 
teem of the general public and of his professional 
brethren. 

Born in Harrodsburgh, Mercer County, K3'., 
August 16, 1828, our subject is the only child of 
AVilliam and Phcebe (McCoun) Buchanan, natives 
of the Blue Grass State. The maternal grandfa- 
ther, James T. McCoun, was of Scotch-Irish descent, 
as was also the paternal grandfather, Alexander 
Buchanan, a native of Kentucky', whose family emi- 
grated from Virginia and located in that State iuthe 
latter part of the eighteenth century. When he was 
less than two years old, our subject was orphaned 
bj' the death of his parents. In 1836, he was 
brought by his maternal grandparents to Missouri, 
where he was reared on a farm adjacent to Rich- 
mond, and attended the schools of Richmond and 
Lexington, after working on the farm and teach- 
ing for a time. In 1850 he entered Centre College 
at Danville, Ky., and was graduated with honor 
from that institution in 18.52. 

Returning to his Missouri home, our subject 
studied medicine under Drs. Chew & Garner, of 
Richmond, and took a course of lectures in the 
Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati. His medical 
studies were completed in Jefferson Medical Col- 
lege at Philadelphia, from which he was graduated 
in 1855. He commenced the practice of his chosen 



profession in Richmond, and subsequentl3', for the 
benefit of the health of his family, he went to Col- 
orado and spent six years at Central City and 
Georgetown. Dr. Buchanan's personal experience 
as surgeon in the late war was limited to the fall 
of 1861, including the several days' engagement 
between Price and Mulligan at Lexington, Mo., 
and the winter of 1861-62, when he was surgeon 
in charge of the hosi)ital established by Gen. Price 
at Lexington. 

Since his return from Colorado in 1871, Dr. 
Buchanan has devoted himself to professional du- 
ties in and around Richmond, and has gained per- 
haps as large a practice as any ph3'siclan in this 
part of Missouri. He is a member of the Ra}- 
County Medical Society, the Kansas Cit3- District 
Medical Society, and is a frequent attendant at 
the conventions of the State Medical Association 
and the National Association of Railway Surgeons. 
In his political afiiliations, he is a Democrat, and 
takes an active interest in national and local is- 
sues. He has been an important factor in the edu- 
cational advancement of his locality, and served 
for twelve years as a member of the Board of Edu- 
cation, and in other ways materiall3' aided in the 
attainment of a higher grade of scholarship and 
instruction. He is a member of the Old-school 
Presbyterian Church, and has served as one of its 
Ruling Elders since 1856. 

In 1856 occurred the marriage of Dr. Buchanan 
to Miss Emily Terry, a refined and cultured Chris- 
tian lad3', who was born in Virginia, and was the 
daughter of Joseph B. and Mary W. Terry, also na- 
tives of the Old Dominion. She died in Colorado, 
in 1868, after having become the mother of four 
children, of whom only one survives, William T., 
now a druggist. In 1872, Dr. Buchanan married 
Miss Henrietta Rives Watkins, of Ray County, the 
second daughter of Charles Allen and Henrietta 
Watkins, both of Virginia, and early pioneers of 
Missouri. Of this union four children have been 
born, namely: George W., Charles A., .lames Mc 
Afee and Henry Rives. In her girlhood 'Sirs. 
Buchanan received a careful and finished educa- 
tion, and is recognized as one of the most accom- 
plished ladies in Richmond. She has devoted her- 
self with loving care to the welfare of her husband 



142 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and children, in addition to which she is promi- 
nently identified with the various societies of her 
church, and other organizations for wortli3- pur- 
poses. She presides with a gracious dignitj- and a 
courteous hospitality, extended tomanj' warm per- 
sonal friends, at her modest home on the corner of 
South and Shaw Streets. Upright in character, 
courteous and efficient in the discharge of profes- 
sional dut}', and at all times mindful of the happi- 
ness and well-being of others, Dr. Bucliauan is 
widely known as an earnest Christian physician 
and public-spirited citizen. 






B. ORMISTON, the genial and popular 
Postmaster of Linneus, Linn County, Mo., 
is widely known as an upright, energetic 
and enterprising citizen, and has admin- 
istered the affairs of the official position he now 
occupies with faithful fidelity and to the entire 
satisfaction of the general public of Linneus and 
the surrounding localit}'. (jur subject is in every 
sense of the word a thoroughly representative 
American, self-reliant, industrious and self-respect- 
ing. Receiving an excellent practical education, 
which well fitted him to win his upward way in 
life, he has lost no opportunities to improve him- 
self, and in his career, guided by the stern princi- 
ples of truth and honor, has gained many stead- 
fast friends, earnest and true. 

The subject of this sketch was boin in Washing- 
ton County,Ohio, near Marietta, March 6, 1859. In 
February, 1865, he came with his parents to Gran t- 
ville Township, this county, where he grew to 
manhood, acquiring physical development, and 
there laying the broad foundation on which he 
afterward built a well-finished education. His 
higher education was acquired at the North Mis- 
souri State Normal, at Kirksville, and at the Gem 
City Business College, Quincy, 111. He is the archi- 
tect of his own fortune, having borrowed the first 
$50 on which he attended school. After teaching 
twelve terms in the public schools of Linn County 
he entered the journalistic piofossion. In 1881 



he purchased of C. W. Northcott one-half interest 
in the Linn County News, and in partnership with 
Col. B. F. Northcott conducted the business until 
August, 1885. when Nelson Fenstemaker became 
owner of the other half of the paper. This part- 
nership continued until .Inly, 1887, when Mr. 
Onniston became sole owner of the paper. Under 
his able business and editorial management the 
Netvs has grown to be the foremost Republican 
paper of the county. December 25, 1885, Mr. 
Ormiston was united in marriage with Miss Nellie, 
the 3^oungest daughter of ISIr. and Jlrs. B. F. 
Northcott, of Linneus, Mo. Tiiej- have three chil- 
dren: Waneta, Genevieve and Todd. Both Mr. 
and Mrs. Ormiston are members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. He is a prominent member of 
the Knights of Pythias and Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows. Since arriving at his majority he 
has been a member of the Republican countj^ or- 
ganization, and has served as Secretary and Chair- 
man of the County Central Committee at difi'erent 
times. He is at present a member of the State 
Central Committee from the Second Congressional 
District. There has not been a campaign waged 
by the party in his county, district or State in the 
past twelve j^ears in which he has not taken an 
active part. 

Mr. Ormiston devotes the most of his time to 
the publishing and editing of the Linn County 
Neics, a prominent and well-known Republican 
organ, ably conducted and eloquently voicing the 
sentiments of its large constituency. A lifetime 
Republican and ardent supporter of the party of 
progress and reform, our subject champions the 
cause which has given to our Congress and Senate 
men whose intellectual superiority- and mental 
calibre are unsurpassed the world over. Rejoic- 
ing in the hour of victoiy, and in the day of de- 
feat preparing for future successes, Mr. Ormiston 
is a prophet, hopefully looking forward to still 
firmer establishment of the principles which safely 
piloted the ship of State through the rapids of 
perils and disasters into the safe haven of national 
prosperit}' and a high place among the nations of 
the earth. 

The Linn County News is a live paper, at- 
tr.active in apnoar.iiicc and matter. Besides its 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



143 



bright editorials, strong in argument, convincing 
in logic, the News contains the local items and an 
interesting record of the doings of the outside 
world. The paper enjoys an extended circulation, 
and aside from the appreciation of its columns by 
tiie general public, receives the heart}' support of 
the party sympathizers of Linn Count}-. Mr. 
Ormiston has as an assistant in the handling of the 
mail and the responsible work of the post-office 
his estimable wife, a lady of fine business qualifi- 
cations and superior ability. Her valuable service 
allows our subject more time to devote to the 
paper and the vital interests which it represents. 
Mr. Ormiston is deeply interested in local enter- 
prise and improvements, .and, an earnest advocate 
of educational advancement, has materially as- 
sisted in elevating the standard of scholarship and 
instruction throughout Linn County. During his 
residence in Linneus, Mr. Ormiston has been an 
important factor in the successes of the best inter- 
ests of the locality, and irrespective of party, re- 
ligion or nationalitj', as a vindicator of truth, 
honor and justice, commands the respect of all 
who know him, and fully possesses the hearty 
wishes of a host of sincere friends. 



J~l AMES AND FANNY DEAR, who reside on 
I section 6, township 51, range 27, Ray 
j County, are both natives of England, the 
^ former having been born in Wiltshire, in 
1827, and the Latter in Chitterne. James Dear is 
a son of Stephen and Catharine (Baugh) Dear, 
both born in Wiltshire, the former in 1798, the lat- 
ter in 1811. The father came of poor parentage, 
and his education was limited to the common 
schools. When but a ciiild, he was bound out to 
learn the sheep-crib maker's trade, which he fol- 
lowed, after serving out his time, to the end of his 
life. At about tlie age of twenty-five he married 
Catherine Baugli, and they reared a farail}' of nine 
children, two of whom are deceased. The remain- 
der, with the exception of our subject, are living 
ill England. The father was a member of the 



Church of England, and died in this faith in 1885, 
his wife having preceded him in 1878. He was a 
sou of John and Sophia Dear, also natives of Eng- 
land. 

Our subject, James, began at about the .age of 
seven to earn his own living at the same trade .as 
his father, continuing at it until he was a man. 
He married Martha Ilinnwood, and she bore him 
one son, Christopher, a resident of Camden, Ra}' 
County, Mo. Siie died, and in 1866 he married 
his present wife, Fanny, daughter of George and 
Anna (Paine) Brown, all natives of England. Two 
j-ears later our subjects immigrated to the United 
States, and first settled at Lexington, Mo., where 
they remained six years, the husband supporting 
his family by working by the da}' and year. At 
the end of the period mentioned, they removed to 
Richmond, where James was a coal-digger for ten 
years. During this time our subjects bought one 
and one-half acres of land adjoining Richmond, 
for $160, and this they improved and sold for 
$400. With this money they made their first pay- 
ment upon their present farm and home of sixty- 
seven acres, after paying for which they purchased 
one hundred and sixty acres more in the bottoms 
near the Missouri River. Tiiis last they are im- 
proving as fast as their means will allow. 

Our subjects have had seven children, as follows: 
James, who married Clara Johnson ; George, Ste- 
phen, Frank, William, Harold and Emma, the latter 
having died when young. In 1890. Mrs. Dear made 
a trip to England and brought btick her niece, 
Sarah Edwards, who yet makes her home with the 
family. Our subjects were both reared in the faith of 
Church of England, in which they were confirmed. 
Although Mr. Dear is a naturalized citizen of the 
United States, he takes no interest in politics, not 
even voting at any of the elections. Great credit 
is due Mr. and Mrs. Dear for their industry, econ- 
omy and perseverance, .and their success proves 
the possibility of Old World emigrants securing 
homes and comforts in the New World. Mr. Dear 
is a man of industrious habits, who owes much to 
the thrift and energy of his wife, who has been in- 
deed a helpmate unto him. Beside caring for the 
children and the home, she has contributed her 
share to the making of their snug little fortune. 



144 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPmCAL RECORD. 



Both are worthy, honest people, who command the 
respect of all their neighbors. 

Mr. Dear's eldest sou, Christopher, came to 
America in March, 1873, and was employed on a 
railroad one year; he then went into the mines and 
worked until 1890, when he commenced farming 
on land which he bouglit with wages saved while 
working in the coal mine. 



UILLIAM T. CROWLEY, our subject, is 
the son of Judge William Crowley, of 
W^ Ray County, and is the worthy son of 
a worthy sire. lie is a man of honest merit, 
greatlj' respected by his neighbors and friends, 
and deserves all the success that has already 
come to him. In the little village Of Vibbard 
he carries on a butcher business, conducts his 
farm, and preaches the Gospel whenever oppor- 
tunity offers. On the ."jth of May, 184,'), our sub- 
ject was born on the old home place in Clinton 
County, where Judge Crowley first settled, and here 
and in Ray County he was reared and received 
superior educational advantages under the best in- 
structors in the graded schools. 

After finishing his course at school, Mr. Crow- 
ley engaged in teaching and preaching in the 
Christian Church. After successfully teaching two 
schools, he gave up that profession, and has since 
that time confined his attention to agricultural 
pursuits and preaching. In 1864 he enlisted in 
Company B, Forty-fourth Missouri Infantry, U. 
S. A., although prior to that time he had been a 
member of Company B, in the provisional militia, 
holding the rank of .Sergeant under Capt. Rogers; 
he later obtained a transfer to the company of 
Capt. Reals, of Ray County, and in this compan_y 
he was assigned to the Quarterm.aster's depart- 
ment. At the battle of Franklin, Tenn., he was 
so severely wounded that it became necessary for 
him to return home, and he remained with his fa- 
ther until his marriage, April 8, 1869, to Miss 
Sally K. Cooper, a native of Clinton County, and 



daughter of Judge David Cooper. Her death oc- 
curred January 25, 1870, at the earl}' age of 
twent3'-one years, ten months and six days. 

Our subject was married again, December 8, 
1870, this union being with Miss Jane Isabella, a 
daughter of Abraham King, of Ra}' County. Her 
death occurred February 21, 1881, at the age of 
thirtj'-five years, eight months and twenty-one 
days. February 9, 1882, our subject married Miss 
Mollie, daughter of Vincent Morrow, an old citi- 
zen of the count}'. Her death occurred January 
15, 1887. By his first marriage one child was 
born, Stella, who is now Mrs. Oscar Kerns; by the 
second marriage, Berenice, living at home; Her- 
bert, employed by Mr. Glasscock; Margaret Ellen, 
who is now learning the millinery trade; Lute, 
Ma}', Sallie Frances and William Abraham at home. 
The children of the last wife were Viola and Mary 
Jane, both of whom are at home. Mr. Crowley 
has engaged in farming ever since he was first 
married. He has been engaged in his ministerial 
work for the past twenty years, having embraced 
religion in his fifteenth year. His ministry has 
been very successful, nine churches having been 
organized under his care, and eighty -seven persons 
professed religion under his ministrations. 

Our subject seems to be peculiarly gifted in 
conducting protracted meetings, although his 
services are in great demand on all religious 
occasions. Although he is connected with the 
Christian Church, he is in no w.ay bigoted and 
sees good in all religious deuominations, no mat- 
ter of what faith. At present he is the Assist- 
ant Superintendent of the Sunday-school, and 
is highly regarded in that connection. Mr. Crow- 
ley has grown experienced in religious work, 
his heart having been been in it for so many 
years, making of it a labor of love. Before entering 
the army and before marriage he engaged in 
preaching, and conducted protracted meetings all 
over the country, even as far south as Texas. He 
has a record of fifty-four couples united in matri- 
mony. 

In the loss of his different wives our subject 
has been particularly bereaved, as they were all 
most excellent women, belonging to fine families. 
Good and devout women, tvvo of them were mem- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



145 



hers of the Presbyterian Church and one of the 
Christian. Although he has had a large family 
upon liis hands to care for and direct, lie lias done 
his full duty by them all. In his political faith he 
is a Republican, proving himself true to that body 
on any and all occasions. He is also Chaplain of 
Excelsior Lodge No. 211, G. A. H. 



'\1i-^ AYNIE ROWELL, M. D., one of the pro- 
Irjj^ grcssive and popular young i)hysicians of 
/j^^^ Kearney, Mo., is the subject of this notice. 
vvS) Those who believe in ancestrj' will have no 
trouble in accounting for the success and energy 
of our subject, when it is known that one of his 
ancestors was among the brave and daring settlers 
of this country, and belonged to that class whose 
largeness of plan, hopefulness and aggressiveness 
made possible the opening up of this great coun- 
tiy. The Rowell family is of English extraction, 
and the first members of it who came to America 
found a wild country, unsettled and uncivilized. 
The Colonies were then struggling, and the Rowell 
family took part in the various privations and 
efforts at civilization of that day. 

The great grandfather of our subject was a sol- 
dier in the Revolutionary War. He reared a fam- 
ily of seven sons and five daughters, five of whom 
settled in Albany, Vt.,and reared large families of 
their own. Two of the sons remained in New 
Hampshire. The grandfather of our subject was a 
farmer who lived in Vermont, and died there at 
the age of sixty years, of cancer. The father of 
our subject is also a farmer, and came to Missouri 
in 1853, at wliich time he became a soliool teacher, 
teaching in Clay and Platte Counties until 1859. 
At that date he married Miss Ann McKee, who 
was born in this county in 1837. She reared nine 
children, eight of whom are living, as follows: 
Hayuie, Samuel .J., Joseph, Frank 1)., Hettie Ann, 
Mary, Albert and Hiram J. Jr. 

After their marriage, the parents of our subject 
settled on the edge of Ray County, on the border 
of Clay County, and bought eighty acres there, 



which the father farmed and eventually added to 
until he had three hundred and twenty acYes, sell- 
ing sixty acres, however, just after the war. The 
money from this sale he put into the Liberty 
Bank, which was robbed one week later b}' the 
James boys. At the present time he owns six hun- 
dred acres in both Ray and Cla_y Counties. In 
1884, be removed to the place near Excelsior 
Springs where he now lives, but he rents out part 
of his land. Both he and his estimable wife are 
members of the Christian Church. Mr. Rowell is 
a Democrat in his political opinions, and was dur- 
ing the war an upholder of the Union. 

The maternal grandfather of our subject was 
David McKee, a native of Kentucky, who settled 
here in 1835. He came from Mt. Sterling, Ky., 
making the journey by wagon, and settled in 
Washington Township, near the old town of Clays- 
ville. Here he developed a farm of about four 
hundred acres, and here died at the age of seventy- 
two j^ears. The McKee family came of Irish an- 
cestry, and the great-grandfather of our subject 
took part in the Indian Wars of Kentucky, which 
were the necessary results of attempts at settle- 
ment. 

Our subject was reared on the farm in Ray 
County, Mo., where his birth occurred November 
6, 1860. He attended the district schools until he 
was sixteen years of age, and then entered the 
Normal School at Kirksville, Mo., where he advan- 
tageously spent five months, and at the end of 
that time engaged in teaching school, which he 
continued in Ray and Clay Counties until 1884. 
At this time he began that studj' which has proved 
his successful calling in life. In the office of Dr. 
C. M. Palmer, then of Lawson but now of St. 
Louis, our subject entered upon his medical read- 
ing. Here he remained for one year, and then 
was prepared for entrance to the St. Louis Medical 
College, where he spent one year with profit. Five 
months at the world-famous Bellevue Medical Col- 
lege, in New York, gave him practical experience, 
which prepared him for many an emergency. Af- 
ter this he attended the Medical University at 
Burlington, Vt., from which he was graduated in 
Julj', 1888, locating here in September of the same 
year. 



146 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RJ^CORD. 



Dr. Rowell married in February, 1891, Miss 
Delia Hinkle. a native of Illinois, and with this 
congenial companion enjoys a pleasant social life 
in this city. His practice lias been very gratify- 
ing, and at times he has had more patients than 
he has been able to attend to satisfactorily. His 
education has not been all in one line, but covers 
the whole subject of materia medica. Dr. and 
Mrs. RowcU are both members of the Christian 
Church, and are liighlj' esteemed in that connec- 
tion. In his political faith he adheres to the prin- 
ciples of the Democratic party, and socially, he has 
a pleasant relationship with the Freemasons and 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a char- 
ter member of Kearney Lodge, of the latter order. 
His business prospects are very fair, and he is a 
stockholder in the Kearney B.ank. He is a young 
man of more than ordinary ability, and his profes- 
sional career promises to be one of great success. 



<* felLLIAM H. WYIMORE, Sr., our subject, 
\rJ// is a most agreeable and entertaining gen- 
^^yfl tleman, who has accumulated in his life- 
time of busy work a vast amount of useful knowl- 
edge, uponwhich he can always speak interestingly 
and to the profit of his hearers. His snug fortune 
came to him by the work of his own hands, and by 
shrewd investment and good management. Now 
a retired farmer and blacksmith of Liberty, he 
was born in Faj-ette County, K}-., near Lexing- 
ton, December 8, 1815. His father, Capt. Martin 
Wymore, was born in Pennsylvania in 1772, and 
when but six years old accompanied his parents 
to Kentucky, wliere he carried on general farming 
pursuits. During the AVar of 1812 he served with 
valor and patriotic spirit. His father was killed 
by the Indians, while living in Kentuck}'. 

The mother of our subject was born on Cape 
Fear River, in Charlotte County, N. C, in 1776, 
and was the second cousin of the mother of Gen. 
Andrew Jackson. Her death occurred in Ken- 
tucky. She was the mother of twelve children, of 
whom our subject is the eleventh. William H., 



our subject, was reared in his native county, 
where he attended school and also worked upon 
the farm. At Lexington he learned the trade of 
a blacksmith, remaining at the latter place until 
he was twenty-four years old, when he came to 
Liberty, Clay County, Mo., October 25, 1838. 
Here he bought out the business of a Mr. Allen, 
a Mormon, and carried on the blacksmith trade 
for a period of eighteen j'cars. 

At the expiration of that time Mr. W3more en- 
gaged in the manufacture of rope from hemp, 
first making the rope by hand and then b}' ma- 
chinery, and carried on this business until the 
outbreak of the war. Meanwhile he became an 
agriculturist, and continued farming until 1887, 
when he removed to Liberty, where he now lives 
somewhat retired. His farm, which consists of 
one hundred and eighty acres and adjoins the city 
limits of Liberty, he sold for $20,000. Mr. Wy- 
more married Miss Elizabeth J. Keller, of Ken- 
tucky, daughter of Jacob Keller, who bore him the 
following children and died in 1879. The record 
of the children is as follows: Maiy J. married Prof. 
J. B. Bradley, and after his death was again mar- 
ried, her home being in Louisiana; Charlotte D. 
is the widow of Cary Nail; Alice M. is the wife 
of E. W. Toler, of Kansas Citj-; George C. was ac- 
cidentally killed at Liberty, when a bank robber, 
attempting to shoot a citizen and his horse throw- 
ing up his head at the time, by mistake shot this 
young man, who was a spectator; William H., for- 
merly Deputy Sheriff, first married Curtie M. 
Barnes, and after her demise was united with 
Miss Douglas Roy; Mabel is the wife of Dr. C. H. 
Miller; Fanny married James F. Reed, Circuit 
Clerk; Emma became the wife of Canby Wilmott; 
and Elizabeth is at home. 

Our subject was married to his present wife 
March 4, 1884. She was the widow of Sidney 
Parish, a native of Virginia, and the daughter of 
Samuel and Elizabeth (Bogan) Ilandley, her fa- 
ther making his home in Washington, D. C. In 
his younger days Mr. Wj'more was a neighbor of 
Henry Clay, but did not yield to the persuasive 
arts of that great statesman, as he has been agquare, 
out-and-out Democrat all his life. He and his wife 
are active members of the Christian Church. Their 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD. 



147 



Jiandsome residence is located at the corner of 

Spring and La Belle Avenues, wiiere tiiey are pass- 
ing tranciuilly and peacefully' the evening of their 
lives. 



C. WII1TMF:R, who is held in esteem by 
his neighbors for his many good qualities 
of head and heart, resides upon a fai'm on 
section 6, township 51, range 27, B.a,y 
County. The place contains first-class improve- 
ments, and is cultivated with economic regard to 
favoring results. Our subject was born in Clay 
County, Mo., February 9, 1835, being the son of 
.lacob and Elizabeth (Sclioot) Whitmer, natives of 
Schenectady County, N. Y. His father was reared 
on the home farm, and resided with his parents 
until he attained his majority, his education be- 
ing limited to the public schools of that day. 

A shoemaker b^' trade as well as a farmer, Jacob 
Whitmer followed both vocations during his en- 
tire life, sometimes on rented land, and again on 
farms owned b}' himself. Six years after mar- 
riage he removed to Ohio, an 4 later came to Mis- 
souri, living at various points until 1838, when he 
settled in Ray County, and opened a shoe-shop, 
which was continued until his death. Prior to his 
demise, he had accumulated one hundred and four- 
teen acres of land. He acquired quite a wide- 
spread fame through his association with Joseph 
Smith, the founder of the Mormon Church, being 
reputed one of the readers of the original Book of 
Mormon. His membership was held in the Church 
of Christ, in which he held a most [irominent posi- 
tion. 

The political opinions of the father of our sub- 
ject were in harmony with those of the Demo- 
cratic party, with which he always affiliated. He 
was the son of Peter and Mary Whitmer, both na- 
tives of Germany. Our subject lived at home un- 
til tiie twenty-first anniversary of his birth, and 
in the JIarch following married Mriry, daughter of 
Benjamin and Barliara E. (Atkinson) Gant. He 
rented land from his father for that season, and in 



the following year bought forty acres of his pres- 
ent farm. His father died while the sou was a 
tenant on the farm. Just as soon as he had be- 
come a land-owner, Mr. Whitmer settled on his 
farm, and h.as remained there ever since. 

Eleven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Whitmer, two of whom died in infancy, the other 
being Elizabeth, wife of Thomas B. Harder; Edwin 
F., who married Lillia Simmons; Jennie F.; Nora 
B., wife of Joseph Douglass; John G., Charles W., 
Isora B., David A. and Mamie J. One daughter 
is pursuing her studies in Richmond College, while 
four others have carried their instruction beyond 
the public schools. Mr. Whitmer has had thirteen 
grandchildren. To the forty acres originally pur- 
chased he h.as added from time to time, until now 
his farm consists of three hundred and thirty 
acres. He is an Elder in the Church of Christ, in 
which he has been a member for sixteen j'ears. A 
Republican from conviction, he heartily supports 
the nominees of that party, and rejoices in its suc- 
cess. During the war he was in the State militia 
for four months, during which time he was in line 
of battle more than once, but was never under 
fire. 



^ 



^/ OSEPH P.Mc CORMICK, our subject, is de- 
I scended from worthy stock, and the heri- 
^ tage of a good name is beyond price. His 
>5^^ father, grandfather and other ancestors 
passed through life with credit to themselves, obey- 
ing the golden rule of doing as they would be 
done by. Our subject was born in Lancaster 
County, Pa., in 1848, a son of Samuel McCormick, 
who was a son of Thomas, who, in turn, was a son 
of Hughej' McCormick, who emigrated from the 
North of Ireland to Pennsylvania about the time 
of the Revolution. 

Thomas McCormick, grandf«tlier of our subject, 
was reared to manhood in Pennsylvania, where he 
learned the trade of a tailor, and followed that all 
his days. His son, the father of our subject, was 
reared in the country, and, like many other boys, 
did not appreciate the school advantages offered 



148 



POKTEAIT AND BIOCJRAPIIICAL EECORD. 



liira, and so would not embrace them. Quite early 
in life he began to work on farms by the month. 
At the age of nineteen he married Barbara Stayley, 
a native of Pennsjivania, daughter of Samuel Staj'- 
ley, a native of Svvitzerland, who served seven years 
in the Revolutionary War. To this union two 
sous were born, namely: George and our subject. 
The mother died when the latter was only eighteen 
months old. Later the father married again, his 
second wife being F^lizabeth Ayrs. who bore him 
three children, namely: Frank, of Pennsylvania; 
William, of Michigan; and Mary C, wife of Sam- 
uel Hughley. 

Our subject remained with his parents until he 
entered the Union army, which event occurred when 
he was only sixteen. He enlisted in Company I, One 
Hundred and Ninety-sixth Pennsylvania Infantr}', 
February 14, 1864, and remained in the service 
until eleven months after the war closed. During 
this entire time he was never in a battle. After 
the war he returned home and remained with his 
parents until he reached the age of twenty. AVhen 
he reached his majority he started West and made 
his first location on a farm in Illinois, working 
for a Uni<m Baptist pre.acher, who paid him $20 
per month witii washing. Until 1874 he remained 
with strangers and taught school for four winters 
near Edwardsville, 111. He was well fitted for his 
work, as his education was received in Westfleld 
College. His next removal was to Bond County, 
111., where he farmed a few years, living by him- 
self, during wliich time he worked very hard, 
oftentimes eating his cold meals while going to 
his work. 

Tiring of bachelor life, in .January', 1869, Mr. 
McCormick married Etna, daughter of Henry and 
Jane (Swallow) Young, by whom he has had five 
children: Hale Y., Maud, Dais}', Nadie and Etna. 
Our subject bought eighty acres of land in Illinois, 
but lost 8100 by his purchase. He then invested 
in land in Missouri, but lost $200 by that purchase. 
After that he proceeded to Kansas and settled near 
Roseville, where lie purchased eighty acres of land, 
on which he remained until 1884, when he came 
to Raj' County, where he purchased his present 
farm of five hundred acres, to which he has since 
added one hundred and forty-seven acres. On 



this farm our subject raises grain and stock, and 
also engages in stock-feeding to a large extent. 
In politics he is a Republican, although he was 
reared a Democrat, and is extremely strong in his 
party fealty. 



\17^ LISHA HARDING is the owner of one of 
1^ the finest farms in Linn County, on which 
' V — '-^ he has erected substantial buildings. His 
farm comprises two hundred acres, which are all 
under cultivation and which he has entirely im- 
proved since becoming their ovvner. He came to 
Missouri in Januarj' of 1877, and paid for his 
land -110 an acre. It has increased notably in 
value and is now worth at least $40 an acre. Our 
subject is engaged in raising grain and stock, and 
in his career as an agriculturist he has won signal 
success. 

Our subject is a son of Phelix and Rachael 
(Sitwell) Harding, the former being one of the 
earlj' pioneers of Hancock County, 111. Both par- 
ents were natives of Kentucky, in which State 
they were reared tc^ mature j'ears. Our subject is 
one of eight children, of whom two died in child- 
hood. Abel is a farmer in Clay Township, Linn 
Count}'; William resides in Parson Creek Town- 
ship; Jemimah, now Mrs. Sheppard, lives near 
Meadville, Mo.; while the youngest, Clara, wife of 
W. C. Meats, is a resident of Oregon. 

Elisha Harding, whose name heads this sketch, 
was born October 27, 1852, in Hancock County, 
111., and in that State was reared to manhood. In 
1874 he married Elizabeth Harding, who was 
also reared in Illinois, and of their union has been 
born seven children, four of whom are boys. They 
are as follows: Electa B., John, Kudj-, Blanche F., 
Emmett, Kay, Florence and Alma L. To them 
has been given the advantage of good educations, 
thus fitting tiiem for the duties and responsibilities 
of the battle of life. 

At the age of eighteen 3'ears our subject was 
thrown upon his own resoiu'ces and owes his pres- 
ent prosperity to his native characteristics of de- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



151 



termination and industiy. He is a member of the 
Anti-Horse Tliief Association. He is an ally and 
champion of the Democracy and takes an active 
[)art in the advancement and welfare of the com- 
niunit}-. Both he and his wife are esteemed mem- 
licrs of the Methodist Episco[)al Church and uum- 
l)er many friends in this portion of the count}'. 



^ OHM MARSHALL ALLEN, M. D., of Lib- 
erty, is a son of the late Col. Shubeal and 
^^ D. A. Allen, natives respectively of Orange 
^^1/ County, N. Y., and Kstill County, Ky., 
the mother having been a daughter of Gen. 
Steven Trigg, deceased. The parents were mar- 
ried at Old Franklin, Howard County, Mo., on the 
19th of September, 1822, and became early set- 
tlers of Clay County, where the subject of this 
sketch was born July 23, 1833. He was reared on 
a farm in this countj', and received his primary 
education in the public schools. Later he carried 
on his studies iu AVilliara Jewell College, and after 
tlie war the faculty of that institution conferred 
upon hira the degree of Bachelor of Arts. 

Karl}- in 1851, our subject began the stud}' of 
medicine under Dr. Joseph M. Wood, late of Kan- 
sas City, but then a resident physician of Liberty. 
In due time he matriculated at the St. Louis Medi- 
cal College, and continued a student there until 
he was graduated in the Class of '54. Immedi- 
ately after his graduation at St. Louis, he was so- 
licited by Dr. Pope, Professor of Surgery, the dean 
of St. Louis Medical College, to apply for the po- 
sition of physician to the St. Louis Hospital, an 
evidence of the high estimate Dr. Pope placed upon 
his attainments and ability .as a physician. Dr. 
Allen, however, declined to make the application, 
preferring to euter at once upon the general prac- 
tice of medicine. Returning home from St. Louis 
after his graduation, he located at Claysville, in 
the northeastern part of this county, and began 
the practice of his profession. When he arrived 
there lie liad liul ¥6, and was *UtO in debt. 



Stopping with Capt. William Cummons, a man 
whose largeness of heart was only equaled by his 
great purity of character, and his almost religious 
veneration for North Carolina, his native State, 
Dr. Allen frankly told hira his liuancial condition. 
Capt. Cummons, in the generosity of his great 
good nature, readily and giaciously assured Dr. 
Allen that he would gladly board him on trust, 
and would supply him with such reasonable sums 
of money as he might need. For this noble and 
generous act of kindness, and for the courtesy and 
consideration which was ever afterward shown him 
in the family of Capt. Cummons as long as he re- 
mained with them, Dr. Allen cherishes a profound 
and lasting feeling of gratitude. The kindness of 
other friends, including that of those good men, 
Edward M. Samuel and Col. A. W. Doniphan, he 
holds in like remembrance. Declining, however, 
all loans, he remained at Claysville for about seven 
years, and built up an excellent practice. 

When Mr. Lincoln fulminated his first proclama- 
tion against the South in 1861, Dr. Alien was 
temporarily absent from Claj'sville, attending a 
post-graduate course of lectures at the St. Louis 
Medical College in order to review his college 
course in medicine and surgery, and to acquaint 
himself with all the later and newer principles and 
theories of practice developed since his graduation 
in 1854. Believing that war was then imminent, 
and being determined to espouse the cause of the 
South, which he believed it his duty as a loyal and 
patriotic citizen of Missouri to do, he at once re- 
turned home, and shortly afterward removed to 
Richmond, Mo., where in May, 1861, a company was 
organized for the Southern service, of which he 
was elected Captain, but instead accepted tlie office 
of Surgeon of Col. Benjamin A. Rives' regiment, 
which became a part of the Fourth Missouri Divi- 
sion, State Guard. His term of service in the 
State Guard lasted for six months, and expired at 
Osceola, Mo., in December, 1861, when Col. B. A. 
Rives, Lieut.-Col. J. R. Pritchard,Maj. Finley Hub- 
ble, Dr. J. D. Wallis, Capt. J. K. IMcDowell, Lieut. 
George Simpson, Lieut. High Faulkner, himself, 
and ten others, whose names cannot now be remem- 
bered, entered the Confederate service, swearing in 
for four years, or (luring the war, and then went into 



152 



i'ORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



camp on Sac River. Tliese gentlemen formed the 
nucleus of that grand, heroic and gallant First Mis- 
souri Brigade of Infantry, which was organized 
and disciplined by one of Missouri's greatest sol- 
diers. Gen. Henr}' C. Little, who was killed at luka, 
Miss. Dr. Allen became Regimental Surgeon of 
the Third Missouri Infantry, and Brigade Surgeon 
by seniority of the First Brigade, and continued 
Surgeon of that regiment until the fall of 1863, 
when, by order of Gen. Joseph E. .Johnston, he was 
promoted to the office of Chief Surgeon of the dis- 
trict of Mississippi and East Louisiana, and at- 
tached to the staff of Gen. Wirt Adams, with whom 
he continued until the close of the war, in May, 
1865, when he was paroled at Gainesville, Ala. 
He was present in many of the great battles of the 
war, including, in Missouri, those of Carthage, 
AVilson's Creek, Dry Wood and the siege of Lex- 
ington; and beyond this State, those of Elk Horn, 
Corinth, luka. Grand Gulf, Port Gibson, and a 
number of engagements of less importance. 

After the war. Dr. Allen returned to Clay 
County, and located at Liberty, where he has ever 
since engaged in the active practice of his profes- 
sion. As early as 1856, he took an active part in 
the organization of the Clay County Medical So- 
ciet}', and from time to time after that was its 
President. In 1858, he became a member of the 
National Medical Association, and has ever since 
continued to be honorably identified with that or- 
ganization. Later he helped to organize the Kan- 
sas City District Medical Society, and in recogni- 
tion of his high standing in the profession, and of 
the great value of his services in the organization 
of the society, he was made its first President. He 
was elected President of the Medical Association 
of the State of Missouri in 1880. In his retiring 
address as President, he urged thorough education 
in our medical .schools, as the legitimate mode of 
elevating the medical profession. He was one of 
the first i)hysicians of the State to insist on its be- 
ing the duty of the State to protect the citizens 
from the ravages of disease by establishing State 
and County Boards of Public Health, and of the 
appropriation of money by the State to make them 
eflicient. He has been a frequent contributor of 
medical essays to these societies .as well as to medical 



journals. Dr. S. S. Laws, President of the Univer- 
sit3^ of Missouri, selected him in 1877 to deliver 
annually a course of lectures on the disease of the 
gastro-intestinal canal before tlie advanced students 
of the medical department of the University of 
Missouri. This position he resigned in 1882, to ac- 
cei)t the chair of the Theory and Practice of Medi- 
cine of the University iSIedical College of Kansas 
City, Mo. He was selected President of this insti- 
tution in 1889. 

Dr. Allen represented Clay County in the Mis- 
souri Legislature in the years 1884-85. He intro- 
duced and aided th^ passage of the present law 
regulating the sale of State bonds, which h.as re- 
sulted in saving the State many thousands of dol- 
lars. He also introduced a bill to establish an Ine- 
briate Asylum at Excelsior. Springs, In Clay County, 
Mo., claiming first that it was a grand charit}', sec- 
ond, that it would increase two-fold the wealth of 
the State, and give back to society many valuable 
and useful citizens, and it would decrease insanity, 
crime and pauperism, three of the heaviest burdens 
of the State. He has been an active Trustee of 
William Jewell College for the past fifteen years. 

Being a man of culture and decided literary 
tastes. Dr. Allen takes a marked interest in the 
cause of education and literary matters. For 
many years he has been an active member of the 
Liberty Literar}' Club, a society of gentlemen at 
that place organized nearly thirty-eight years ago 
for the promotion of literature and social culture, 
and which contains among its members the profes- 
sional men and literati of the place. He is also a 
strong advocate of temperance, and has been con- 
nected with all the temperance movements in this 
county since 1848, at which time he joined the 
Cadets of Temperance. He never signed a peti- 
tion for a dram-shop license in his life, but by his 
individual efforts and numerous addresses and lec- 
tures has contributed in no small degree to the 
present advanced position of the people of Clay 
County on the temperance question. 

On the 15th of November, 1866, Dr. Allen mar- 
ried Miss Agnes McAlpine, at Port Gibson, Miss. 
Mrs. Allen was a daughter of the late William R. 
McAlpine, of that place, who was for twenty-five 
years Treasurer of Claiborne County, Miss, Mrs. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



153 



Alien was educated in Baltimore, Md., being a 
niaduate of Archer's Female Seminary, and is a 
lady of marked culture and refinement. They 
are the parents of three children: Slmbeal W., 
Marshall M. and Melvina. 

As a citizen, Dr. Allen is public spirited, and 
readily appreciates those crises when the union of 
the intellect and energy of a community for action 
becomes necessary to secure results beneficial to all, 
and is at all times willing to bear his proportion 
of the burden of labor .ind expenditure needed to 
attain them. 

The Doctor is a stanch Democrat, and while not 
a politician, takes quite an active part in cam- 
l)aigns, and is a forcible, earnest and logical 
speaker. At all times he is able to hold the at- 
tention of his audience to a remarkable degree, 
and has had invitations to speak in different parts 
of the Stiite during campaigns. He has been a Ma- 
son since twenty-one years of age, and is a mem- 
ber of Blue Lodge No. .31, Liberty Chapter and 
Liberty Commandery, having held all leading 
offices in the same. 



l^+^[ 



^P NDREW JACKSON RILEY, a prosperous 
WeM agriculturist located upon the old home- 
stead, in section 33, township 54, range 19 
Chariton County, Mo., tills the Land which 
so many j'ears ago yielded to the cultivation of his 
father's hand and echoed to the voices of the large 
famil}^ of children who gathered there. Oursubject 
was born near Brunswick September 26, 1842, and 
was one of the eight manly sons who composed 
the family of John and Arra (Noland) Kiley, the 
worthy father and mother who came to Missouri 
in 1825, when a 3'oung, ambitious and energetic 
couple, and earnestly strove to make their upward 
w.ay in the world. John Riley, a native of Bour- 
bon County, Ky., was born in 1799. There were 
four children in the family of the paternal grand- 
parents, two sons and two daughters. The grand- 
father, Leven Riley, had married early in life a 
charming young lady, who like himself was a na- 



tive of Maryland. The Rileys were of Irish de- 
scent, but this branch of the family became citizens 
of the United States at a very early time in the 
history of our country. 

Elizabeth (Parish) Riley, the paternal grand- 
mother, was of sturdy Welsh descent, and both on 
the side of the husband and wife the longevity of 
their forefathers was remarkable. John Riley's 
brother AVilliam came to Missouri when the State 
was yet in its infancy, and settled in Platte County, 
but the sisters did not make their home within 
the boundaries of the State until after their mar- 
riage, when they located in Chariton County. Of 
the William Riley branch no descendants are left 
to transmit the name to posterity, his children hav- 
ing been daughters; the stalwart sons of John Kiley 
have, therefore, the sole honor of worthily hand- 
ing down to coming generations the name which 
their revered ancestors kept unstained by crime 
or dishonor. Of the eight sons born to John Riley 
four are yet living, John, Jesse, Andrew Jackson 
and George Washington, all residents of Chariton 
County. Arra (Noland) Riley, the mother of our 
subject, was born in Kentucky, but her father's 
family were among the early pioneers of North 
Carolina and ably assisted in the upward growth 
and progress of their home locality. 

Our subject, Andrew Jackson Riley, w,as early 
trained in the labor of the farm and received a 
limited education in the winter schools of the dis- 
trict. Arriving at manhood, he was married Jan- 
uary 23, 1878, to Miss Frances Victoria Oxley, a 
daughter of Aquilla.and Mary (Ranor) Oxley, born 
and reared in North Carolina, where they died 
some years ago. Father and Mother Oxley were 
the parents of thirteen children, three of whom 
died in their native State, but the other ten, leav- 
ing North Carolina, came to Missouri, and Mrs. 
Kiley was a resident of Chariton County at the 
time of her marriage. The Oxley family were of 
distinguished English ancestry, and with the Fleet- 
wood family, with whom they intermarried, where 
among the first settlers of the Carolinasand widely 
known for their ability, intelligence and e.^^cellent 
citizenship. Mr. and Mrs. Andrew J. Riley have no 
children but are deeply interested in the welfare 
anil advancement of the vouth of to-dav and are 



154 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



liberal givers in every worthy cause presented to 
their notice. Mr. Rile_y is not an active politician 
but is thoroughly posted in local and national 
issues, and, an important factor in benevolent, 
social and business enterprise, is one of the sub- 
stantial men of Chariton County, and as such 
highly respected by the entire community, many 
of wliom have known him from his youthful days. 
Devoting his time mainly to the cultivation of the 
old homestead, one of the productive farms in this 
section of tiie country, our subject has been finan- 
cially prospered, and, a kind friend and good 
neighbor, has been wont to lend a helping hand to 
those less fortunate than himself. Earnest in pur- 
pose, upright in character, the even tenor of his 
days is filled with pleasant recollections of the 
past. His life has not been an eventful one, but 
in all the practical duties of life, both public and 
private, he has ever been a true and loyal Amer- 
ican citizen, contributing to the success and un- 
bounded prosperity of our great Republic. 



<* jitlLUAM R. BALLINGER, our subject, 
\/\j/l ^ resident of Riclimond Township, Ray 
^7\^ County, has a large farm on section .O, 
township 52, range 27. A man of intelligence, 
well informed, honest and neighborly, he is much 
respected by all his acquaintances. He was born 
in Kentucky, August 4, 1816, the son of Henry 
and Lucy (Jeffers) Balliuger, his father being a 
son of Archibald Ballinger, a native of Amherst 
County, Va. The latter was reared upon a farm, 
but learned the trade of a blaclvsmitli. He married 
Miss Nellie Hudson, after which he removed to 
Kentucky, where he bought four hundred acres 
of land. At tJie home there established he resided 
many years, but finally sold the property', and went 
to Marion Count}?, Mo., where lie died. Tobacco 
culture was his specialty, and he raised large crops 
of the product annually. For several years he was 
tobacco inspector at the mouth of Sugar Creek. 
The Baptist Cluirch was very dear to him, and he 
died as he had lived, :i firm believer in its doctrines. 



The old-line Whig party, with its leaders, Claj^ 
Webster, Manguni and others, had a great fascina- 
tion for him, and he ardently supported its candi- 
dates. 

The father of our subject was born in Amherst 
County, Va., and when about ten years of age 
accompanied his parents to Kentucky, where he 
received instruction in the district schools. His 
liome continued to be with iiis parents until his 
marriage with Nancy Jeffers, when he bought land 
adjoining his father's farm, and later, it is believed, 
purchased his father's estate, at one time having 
in his posession as much as three hundred and 
sixty acres of land. He and his wife had eight 
children, seven of whom grew to maturity, namely: 
Paulina, .loseph and Nancy, all deceased; our sub- 
ject; Achilles, deceased; N. S., who resides in 
Montana; and Martha, wife of Henry Burriss, of 
Saline County, Mo. The father was a member of 
the Baptist Church, in which he was first a Deacon, 
but after his removal to Greene Countj-, 111., he was 
made Elder in the church at Carrollton, where he 
subsequentl}' died in 1867. He was a Whig, and 
never forgot his affection for that party, although 
he survived its extinction nearly fourteen years. 

Our subject began life for himself at the age of 
eighteen upon a farm of his father's. Eighteen 
years later he married Agnes, daughter of Richard 
and Louisa (Fletcher) Bibb, wlio bore him ten chil- 
dren. Eight are living, namely: Louisa; Paulina 
A., wife of Jackson Botts; Martha, wife of Charles 
Holland, of Denver, Colo.; .Jennie, Mrs. Samuel 
Kennedy; Harry; Benjamin; Allen and William R., 
Jr. Our subject went to Macon County, 111., in 
1856, and entei-ed land, which he subsequently 
sold. Thence lie removed to Greene County, 
where he resided for a number of years. In 1877, 
he came to Missouri, and settled in Richmond in 
order to give liis children the benefit of the su- 
perior schools of that place. For one year he held 
the oflice of Elder in the Christian Cliurcli, in 
which he is an active member. He is a member of 
Richmond Lodge No. 57, F. & A. M. Prior to the 
war, he was a Whig, but since the extinction of 
that party has affiliated witli the Democrats. The 
schoolhouse in which he was a pupil w.as made of 
hewed beech logs, with one log cut out for a win- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



155 



(low, and six of them for a fireplace. The build- 
ing had a i)lank and puncheon lloor, with split 
planks for seats and desks. The farm when he 
houiijit it was only partly improved, but it is now 
nearly all cleared, and is all under fence. The 
place comprises three hundred and sixty acres, and 
is one of tlie best tracts of land in the country. 



m 



/ *^EE•i•^=•^ 



()ILLIAM E. RINGO. The people of Ray 
County have honored Mr. Ringo with po- 
(f sitions of public trust, and the universal 
verdict is that he has not been wanting in any par- 
ticular. During his incumbency of the office of 
Count}' Clerk he displayed a measure of fidelity 
and skill which won him the deserved commenda- 
tion of all interested in the success of the county. 
He was born in Richmond, Ray County, Mo., wh^-e 
he has resided ever since, March 30, 1841, being 
the eldest son of Andrew II. and Margaret S. (Wirt) 
Ringo. His father was a native of Kentucky, as 
was also the mother, who accompanied her parents 
from that State to Clay County, Mo., where she 
was married. Her father, John Wirt, was one of 
tiie earliest settlers of Cla^' Count}'. 

The father of our subject was a merchant, and 
in partnership with his brother, Samuel A. Ringo, 
opened a store in old Liberty, under the firm name 
of S. it A. H. Ringo. After continuing there for 
a few years they established a branch store at Rich- 
mond. Later a store was opened at Gallatin, 
Davis County, Mo., when Philip H. Wirt was taken 
into partnership, under the firm name of Ringo, 
Wirt k Ringo. This connection continued until 
the death of Samuel Ringo, when the store was 
closed out. After this Andrew H. was in business 
alone for a few years, but later sold out to W. D. 
Uice and A. W. Nuckols and sons-in-law, and re- 
tired from business. His death occurred in March, 
1879, in the seventj'-third year of his .ige. His 
wife had died five 3'ears previously, in 1874. 

Our subject was educated in the city of Rich- 
mond, and in 185;) entered the drug store of D. D. 



Bullock and learned that business. In 18G1 he 
entered the State service under Gen. Price, and af- 
ter serving six months was discharged. In Decem- 
ber of the same year he enlisted in Company C, 
Third Missouri Infantry, Col. Reeves commanding, 
and saw service on the northern side of the Mis- 
souri River until April, 1862, when the command 
w.as transferred to the other side, remaining until 
the spring of 18G3. Mr. Ringo. was in the Trans- 
Mississippi department until the close of the war, 
his service as a soldier terminating in Louisiana. 
Returning home, our subject engaged in the 
drug business, and remained thus occupied until 
1875, when he retired on account of ill health. In 
1879 he accepted the position of Deputy to George 
W. Trigg, County Clerk, and continued in that 
place for light years, when he was elected County 
Clerk, serving the full term of four years. He then 
conducted a retail grocery business at AVest Plains, 
Mo., for one year, after which he returned to Rich- 
mond. November 7, 1867, he married Miss Emma, 
daughter of W. C. Price, of Carroll County, Mo., 
but originall}' from Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Ringo 
have five children, namely: .James L., Edward L., 
Charles A. (who is at West Plains, Mo.), Bertha and 
Thomas Austin. In politics l\Ir. Ringo is a stanch 
Democrat. He and his wife are members of the 
Methodist Church South 



^>-^^<i 



UCIUS N. GOODALE is head of tlie Mead- 
ville Bank, of Linn County, the <mly hank 
in the county which is not incorporated. 
It was started in 1884, with a capital of $5,000, by 
Mr. Goodale, in comi)any with Bargar k Co. The 
father of our subject, who was a farmer by occu- 
pation, bore the name of Austin Goodale. He was 
a native of Connecticut, where his liirth occurred 
.June 27, 1806. His father was a soldier in the 
Revolution.ary AVar. On the 1st of August, 1812, 
was born Miranda Twining, who, by iier mar- 
riage on September 5, 1833, became the mother of 
our subject. About the year 1834, Austin Good- 
ale removed to Oiiio, settliiiir on the Western K'e- 



156 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



serve, where he made a permanent home, and 
where he was called to thehomehcyondon April4, 
1862. He was much interested in politics, and in 
early life was a Whig, later a strong Abolitionist, 
and finally a Republican. Of his famil}' of eight 
children, three onl}' now survive: Ebenezer T., a 
resident of Meadvillc; Lucius N., our subject; and 
Austin D., who resides at Bevier, Mo. The wife 
and mother died on the 14tli of Maj', 1860, in the 
faith of the Presbyterian Church, of which she had 
been a consistent member for many years. Mr. 
Goodale, our subject, was born July 8, 1840, in 
Ashtabula County, Ohio, and passed his boyhood 
days on a farm. He received a common-school 
education and later attended an academy. He re- 
mained with his parents, until twent^'-seven years 
of age, but supported himself from the time he was 
seventeen as a school teacher. In the intervals 
between terms, he assisted his father in the work 
of the farm. In 1865, he started toward the set- 
ting sun, making a settlement in Chillicothe, Mo., 
where he remained about a year. In March, 1866, 
he located at Meadvillc as an agent and operator 
in the employ of the Hannibal & St. Joe Railroad, 
remaining in their service for eleven years. He 
engaged in the lumber busiricss, also farming and 
dealing in stock. In 188.5, he sold out his lumber 
business and since that time has been engaged in 
operating the bank of which we spoke at the be- 
ginning of this sketch. He owns two hundred 
acres of farm Land, eighty of which are finely im- 
proved. 

On the -20111 of February, 1869, Mr. Goodale 
was married to Miss Mary Billington, who was 
born September 8, 1844. Her father, Lorenzo 
Billington, now deceased, a former resident of In- 
diana, was one of the early settlers of Southern 
Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. Goodale have three chil- 
dien: Clinton Lorenzo, born February 25, 1871; 
Stella Maitland, March 9, 1873; and Martha Rose, 
July 12, 1883. The family are all active workers 
in the Congregational Church and Sund.ay-school, 
Mr. (ioodale being one of the Deacons, and for 
several years has been Superintendent and a 
teacher in the Snndaj'-school. lie is President of 
this township in the County Sunda3'-school Asso- 
ciation His wife is also activel}' engaged in 



church work, is a teacher in the Sunday-school, a 
member of the Ladies' Society, and President of 
the Foreign Missionary Society. She is also Presi- 
dent of the local union of the Woman's Christian 
Temjierance Union, having done much good in 
that connection. 

In politics, Mr. Goodale is affiliated with the 
Prohibition part}', in which he has taken a promi- 
nent part for the past eight years. In 1888, he 
was the Prohibition candidate for Representative 
in this county, and has served as a delegate to 
numerous conventions. Some years ago he served 
as Trustee of the township, and has been a Di- 
rector of schools. He is a Good Templar, being 
Financial Secretary of the lodge at the present 
time. He is also a member and Financial Secre- 
tary of the Anti-Horse Thief Association. 



'^'^l 



vs; 



8 ^ * * ^ 



^ RS. SARAH C. PRICE. The estimable 
V lady whose name heads this sketch bears 
with resignation the many afflictions that 
have been visited upon her, setting an 
example in her cheerful godliness for others to 
follow. A woman of good common-sense and 
business qualities, the interests of her estate do not 
suffer; full of good purposes and endowed with a 
womanly heart, she has made a host of friends in 
her passage through the world. She now resides 
in her comfortable home in township 51, range 
28, Ray County, Mo. 

Our subject was born within three miles of her 
present home in 1829, a daughter of Abraham and 
Elizabeth (Slierron) Endslev, both natives of 
North Carolina, born in 1801 and 1809, respec- 
tivel}'. Immediately after marriage the parents 
removed to Missouri with a two-team wagon. The 
mother was one of three children, and in early life 
was obliged to run away from home, as her relations 
there were not pleasant, she having lost both parents 
when she was yet an infant. The first settlement 
of these two was in Ray County Mo., within a 
few miles of the present home of our subject, 
where the father entered eighty acres of Govern- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



157 



meut land. In a few years 11163- removed to Har- 
rison County, the same State, where they purchased 
one hundred and twenty acres of land and re- 
mained until tlie death of the father. Hoth par- 
ents were devout nieniijersof the Christian Churoii, 
in which they occupied a prominent place. Ten 
children were born to them, whom tliey reared to 
maturity, and our subject is tlie eldest of the five 
children yet living. In 1831 the fatiier of our 
subject made a trip to Nortli Carolina to try and 
recover some of the money due liis wife from her 
parents' estate, but only obtained 1900, and the 
remainder has never been paid. 

Our subject remained with her parents until 
eleven years of age, when she removed to Har- 
rison County and there resided until her marriage, 
which occurred February 8, 1849, to Waller T. 
Price, who was born June 18, 1827, a son of Peter 
and Hannah (Turner) Price, natives of Ohio, wlio 
came to Illinois when Walter Price was oui3' a child. 
Hannali Turner was of English descent, her parents 
coming to the Ignited States early in life. Her fa- 
ther had a large amount of money bequeathed him 
by relatives in England that came to his descen- 
dants. Her grandfather came to the United States 
during the Revolutionary War and served as a Cap- 
tain in the Colonial army, and also served in the 
War of 1812. He was a tailor and was higiily 
respected and esteemed by all who knew him. 
When Walter was sixteen years of age he removed 
to Harrison County, Mo., where he met and mar- 
ried the subject of this sketch. His education was 
quite limited, but after his marriage he studied 
and obtained a good practical knowledge of his 
own language. Six children were the fruit of the 
union of Mr. and Mrs. Price, namely: Nanc3', wife 
of Henrv Glover; Andrew J., Thomas B., John H., 
Robert E., and an infant that died. Two years 
after their marriage the 3'oung couple came to 
Ray County-, where they rented for sixteen years, 
and then purchased one hundred acres, to which 
they added one hundred more, and here it is that 
our subject still resides. Our subject and her hus- 
band began life without even the bare necessities 
of life and accumulated all their propert3' by their 
own efforts. Mrs. Price is a member of the Mis- 
sionary Baptist Chiiicli, as was also her husband. 



In politics the latter was a stanch Democrat and 
was very lo3-al to his part3'. In 1890 the death of 
Mr. Price occurred as the result of a kick from a 
voung colt. 



)IIOMAS BATHGATE. Our subject is a Brit- 
ish-American of Ray Count3', residing near 
Knoxville, and owning a fine farm on sec- 
tion 33, township 54, range 28. He enjo3'S the 
friendship and esteem of a large circle of people, 
because of his worth as a man and his excellent 
judgment. He was born in Westmoreland Couiit3', 
England, December 5, 1828, and emigrated to tliis 
countiy in 1851, first locating in New York State. 
His father was named Thomas, and had six chil- 
dren, namely: Hobert, Ellen, Stephen, our subject, 
Margaret and Slaiy. The mother of our subject 
was Rachel (AVashington) Bathgate, a cousin of 
George AVashington. She passed away in 1886, 
and her husband died in June, 1850. 

The wife of our subject was Racliel Shaipnack, a 
daughter of Hiram and Lydia B. Sharpnack, and 
was one of seven children. Mrs. Bathgate was 
born March 19, 1838, in Ritchie County, W. Va., 
and died April 4, 1887, having been the mother of 
eight children, namely: Robert JHlton, born JUI3' 
15, 1866, and who died September 15, 1867; Hiram 
T., born August 27, 1867; William S., January 3, 
1869; James B., September 17, 1871; Mary N., 
Januaiy 7, 1875; Charles A., October 15, 1877; Ly- 
man, November 17, 1879; and Walter, born Sep- 
tember 7, 1881, and who died June 11, 1882. Hiram 
T. married, in October, 1887, Miss Mary Mayes, 
daughter of William Ma3-es. The young couple 
spent the honeymoon in Kansas City and St. Louis, 
and then settled down to farm life in Caldwell 
County, four miles from Hamilton, tlie count3' seat; 
William and James have lately built at Polo a large 
business house and are engaged in the hardware 
business. 

Our subject is a very large laud-owner, having 
one thousand nine hundred acres in Ra3' County, 
two Iniiidrcd of which are timbered. He devotes 



158 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, 



his attention to farming and stocli-raising, and dis- 
plays thorough understanding of his business, winch 
he manages to decided profit. Beside the propertj* 
named, he has an interest in the bank at Polo, 
Caldwell County, Mo. When he landed in New 
York he had but two British soverigns, and he be- 
gan .life here by hiring out to a farmer. By his 
own persevering labors he has acquired his present 
large holdings, hard work and good management 
Yielding him the increase. He became a land-owner 
first in West Virginia, acquiring two hundred acres, 
which he sold in 1865, and coming to Raj' County, 
bought eight hundred and fifty-five acres from 
William II. Stone. He had resided on his West 
Virginia farm for eight years. In his religious 
convictions he is a Presbyterian, and is a |)rominent 
and active worker in the church of that denomina- 
tion, in which he holds membership, and where he 
is held in highest esteem. 



^s, HARLES REZIN LUSTER, the able and en- 
(li terprising editor of the Neirs, the only Re- 

^^f' publican paper in Chariton County, is also 
the popular and efficient Postmaster of Brunswick, 
Mo., handling the affairs of his otlicc with execu- 
tive correctness and dispatch. Placed in a dual 
position of public responsibility, our subject is 
ever equal to the demands of the day, and as a 
distributor of the mails gives entire satisfaction. 
Mr. Luster was iwrn August 7, 1847, at Spring- 
field, III., and was the son of Thomas M. and Julia 
D. (Rezin) Luster, each of the parents being of 
Scotcli-English ancestry, and endowing their chil- 
dren with the sterling traits and prominent char- 
acteristics of both nationalities. Thomas Luster 
was among the early settlers of Illinois and always 
actively interested in the local affairs of his por- 
tion of the State. When Charles R. was four years 
of age his mother died, leaving him and a still 
younger child to the care of tlie father, who, un- 
fortunately deprived by death of his companions, 
was tlirice married. 



When quite advanced in boyhood, our subject 
began learning the printer's trade, and ere long 
acquired a thorough knowledge of the art, at six- 
teen years of age becoming proficient in handling 
the type and evincing peculiar adaptation to this 
chosen avocation. In 1863, at which period our 
country issued a general call for volunteers, the 
ardent and brave young printer boy. forsaking 
type and case, offered his services and was enrolled 
as a member of the Twelfth Illinois Cavalry, re- 
maining constantly in active duty for two years, 
when, his time having expired, he returned to his 
home. Being in the extreme Southwest when he 
was discharged from the service, Mr. Luster ex- 
perienced many novel and exciting incidents upon 
his overland return trip to Illinois, temporarily 
assuming the manners and habits of a cowboy as 
he passed through Indian Territory, Arkansas, 
Texas and Missouri. After a safe arrival home, 
our subject improved the opportunity to benefit 
himself by attending two terms in the academy at 
Monmouth, 111. Having completed his studies, 
he received the position of .assistant in the Circuit 
Clerk's office of Warren County, 111., of which his 
father was an incumbent at the time. 

In February, 1869, Mr. Luster came to Missouri, 
since which period he has been prominently iden- 
tified with the general interests of the State and 
has been a leader in the local affairs at Brunswick. 
After over six years devoted to the succe.ssful 
editing and management of the Brunsivicker, our 
subject established the Neivs, which under his skill- 
ful guidance has attained a wide circulation and 
rapidlj' extending influence. As an editorial writer 
Mr. Luster possesses most excellent attributes, be- 
ing concise in detail, powerful in argument, and 
sound in logic. Receiving his official appointment 
as Postmaster in the face of the violent opposition 
of other candidates, Mr. Luster has left nothing 
undone to secure the convenience and subserve the 
best interests of the public in so far as the conduct 
of the postoffice is concerned. Without regard to 
political distinction, our subject has won flattering 
commendations from the citizens of Brunswick, 
who appreciate the ready courtesy and business 
energy of their Postmaster, ably aided in both his 
social and business relations by his estimable wife, 




«\l 



"5^ 



w* 





j^.sr^c 



0\^^i^T^ iX-t^n^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



161 



to whom he was united in marriage November 2, 
1873. Mrs. Luster was Miss Mary, a daughter of 
L. S.. and Harriet Spangler, formerly of Illinois. 
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Luster has been 
blessed by the birth of one son, Lewis, who is 
now approaching early manhood and who enjoys 
the best educational advantages of his native 
Slate, Missouri. Our subject and his family' oc- 
cupy a high social position, are important factors 
in local, social and benevolent enterprises, and in 
their hospitable home in Brunswick entertain a 
host of old acquaintances and sincere friends. 



=>ife-; 



^\ A.T. LUTHER T. FORMAN, a retired 
farmer of Brookfield,was born in Bourbon 
County, Ky., August 21, 1825. In 1830, 
he was taken to Monroe County, Mo., 
four miles west of Paris. His parents, Joseph and 
Margaret (Barbee) Forman, were natives of Ken- 
tucky, and their remains lie buried on the old 
farm, although they had lived for a time on tlie 
Grand River, northwest of Chillicothe. In 1846, 
our subject bought land in Linn County, four 
miles south of Meadville. At that time his nearest 
neighbor was five miles away, his postofflee was 
Linncus, and his trading point Brunswick, twentj^ 
miles distant. Deer and wild turkeys vvere numer- 
ous, and the usual hardships of pioneer life fell to 
liis lot. For many j^ears his house was an hotel for 
the accommodation of all who visited this neigh- 
borhood, and he possessed the genial hospitality so 
characteristic of early settlers. His land was a 
soldier claim, and he placed substantial improve- 
ments upon the six hundred acres comprising the 
farm. At one time he was the owner of twelve 
hundred acres of good land. 

The business in which ]\Iaj. Forman engaged 
with greatest success was the buying, feeding and 
raising of hogs and cattle, and his dealings in 
stock have been very extensive. In 1879, he 
bought land two and one-half miles south of Lin- 
neus, and added to his first purchase until he now 
lias a farm comprising two hundred .acres of finely 



improved land. In 1883, he sold the old farm, 
and since April, 1892, has been a resident of 
Brookfield, where he has a pleasant home on North 
Main Street. Maj. Forman was reared a Whig, 
under the lead of Henry Clay, but in 18G0 he cast 
his vote for Bell and Everett; in 1864 for Lincoln, 
later for Grant, and then became a member of the 
Greenback part}', giving his vote for Peter Cooper. 
In later years public affairs have assumed for him 
a different aspect, and his vote has twice been cast 
for .James B. Weaver, the candidate of the People's 
party. With that party in the county our subject 
is closely connected, taking the greatest interest 
in the principles enunciated by it. 

Our subject was married in 1847, in Livingston 
County, Mo., to Miss Eliza Hobbs, who died in 
1853, leaving two children: Mary, who married 
William Tuffs, and died when nineteen years of 
age leaving two children; and Margaret Ann, wife 
of Henry Hill, of Monroe County, N. Y. Maj. 
Forman was married in Linn County, in 1854, to 
Araminta, the daughter of Judge Brown, a pioneer 
of that count}'. She died in 1862, leaving four 
children, namely: Barton, who died at the age of 
twenty-one; Charles IL, who has a meat-market at 
Meadville, Mo.; Benjamin L., a farmer and stock- 
raiser of Oregon; and John E., who is in an eat- 
ing house at Meadville. 

Our subject was married a third time, January 
25, 1863, in Linn County, his wife being Mrs. Emily 
D. (Johnson) Gr.aham, the widow of John Graham. 
She was born in Saline County and reared in 
Howard Count}', Mo. Her father, Wesley John- 
son, was a cooper by occupation and purchased a 
large tr.act of land south of Linneus. While en 
route to Linn County, he became involved in an 
altercation with a man over a matter connected 
with the sale of the farm. In the dispute the man 
struck him with a sledge hammer, inflicting an in- 
jury from which he died of lockjaw at Keytesvillc, 
Mo. In company with her mother, Mrs. Forman 
proceeded to Linn County, where they settled on 
a part of the farm now owned by our subject. Her 
mother, now the widow of Harrison Sweeney, re- 
sides in Linneus and has attained to the age of 
eighty-two. The family consisted of four children 
at the time of coming here and tlio eldest son was 



162 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ten years old, Emily being the only child who had 
reached maturity. After her marriage to Mr. 
Graiiam, at the age of twenty-two, they settled in 
Nevada, Grundy Country, and later removed to 
Chillicolhe, where lie died in 1863. By this mar- 
riage, Maj. Forman has become the father of the 
following children: Kale Frances, the wife of P. B. 
Stanle}', of CarroUton, Mo.; Joseph W., who re- 
cently returned from California; Lida, wife of Will- 
iam Archer, who lives on the old farm; Verga, un- 
married; Estella, Mrs. G. B. Garrett; William Er- 
nest, who is usually called ''Peter Cooper;" and 
Bessie Maud. Our subject has been identified with 
the Christian Church since 1848, and his wife is 
also a member of that religious organization. 

In 1862, Maj. Forman raised a company with a 
Captain's commission in the enrolled militia. After 
six mouths he was attached to the Sixty-second 
Missouri State Guards and was located at Bruns- 
wick, under Col. Moberly, for a time. He was 
promoted to the rank of Major in 1863, and served 
in that position until the close of the war, mean- 
while engaging in skirmishes with the noted lead- 
ers Holtz and Jim Rider and other guerrillas. 
His headquarters were mainly at Laclede, so that 
he was able to make an occasional visit to the farm. 
At one time while at home, Jim Rider with eigh- 
teen men came there and the Major being unsup- 
ported, slipped aw.ay, but Mrs. Forman, wlio was ill 
at the time, was so badly fiightened that she died. 

In a brush with Pointdexter's men, the Major's 
soldiers killed two of them. On another occasion 
while at home, two of Pointdexter's men rode up 
to the house, and after some parle3'ing they turned 
to run, when the Major shot, killing one outright 
and wounding the other, who escaped; the young 
man who was killed proved to be a Mr. Hart, 
whose father was a respected citizen of liiindolph 
County. The latter when he came for the body 
exonerated the Major from blame. Some evil- 
minded persons circulated the report that young 
Hart was en route to INIcGee College, when he was 
onliceil and ambushed by tlie Major, but firm ac- 
tion on the part of our subject soon put a quietus 
to this and similar slanders. 

At one time a man from St. Louis, who was out 
recruiting for the Seventh Missouri Civalry, came 



to Laclede, and the Major's soldiers told him that 
if Maj. Forman would enlist they also would do 
so. When the recruiting officer reached the Maj- 
or's house, the latter told him of the man}' threats 
that had been made against liis life, and that 
guerrillas were likely to approach him under the' 
guise of militiamen and shoot him; hence he was 
always on guard. The recruiting officer started 
back to Laclede, four miles distant, but when 
about one-half mile from the house, saw a party of 
militia approaching with the intention of asking 
the Major to join them in an expedition. Recall- 
ing the Major's words, he concluded that these 
men were guerrillas in disguise, and, wheeling his 
horse around, rode madl}' hack to the house, the 
militiamen firing upon him as he ran. The Major 
soon explained the situation, and the bold recruit- 
ing officer proceeded to Laclede, where he took the 
first train for St. Louis, — a sadder and a wiser man. 
The people of Linn Count}' never saw him again. 
Maj. Forman possesses many of the admirable 
points of the soldier and no doubt would have be- 
come a distinguished officer had fortune cast his 
lot with the main armie.s. He is a brave, out- 
spoken man, plain in speech and his language is 
not liable to be misunderstood. He has had some 
experience of life in the Far West. In 1850, he 
crossed the plains to the gold regions and twice 
since then he has enjo3'ed the excitement of buffalo 
hunting on Western plains. 



"if] OHN W. CAZZELL, a prosperous general 
agriculturist residing upon section 28, town- 
^^^, , ship 52, range 18, Chariton County, Mo., is 
l^^' an energetic, enterprising and popular citi- 
zen, satisfactorily discharging his duties as Justice 
of the Peace and Notary Public, and most efficiently 
transacting his public business as Collector of the 
township. Our subject was born in the good old 
State of Kentucky, Januar}^ 7, 1844. His father, 
John Cazzell, was a native of West Virginia, and 
was born December 27, 1818. He is yet living and 
resides in Indian Territory. The mother of our 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



163 



subject, Mrs. .lane (Wamsle^^) Cazzell, was born 
in La Fayette County, Ky., in the year 1820, and 
passed awaj' in 1875. 

ITnto Jolin and Jane Cazzell were born thirteen 
children; William F. (deceased); Elizabeth, now 
Mrs. Bullock; John W., our subject; Jane and 
America (deceased); James; George and Nancy M. 
(deceased); Sarah A., now Mrs. William M. Mor- 
rison; Lourana, Mrs. John Avery; Henry IL; Ben- 
jamin; and Joseph (deceased). Our subject was but 
eight years of age when his parents removed from 
Kentucky to Ohio, where they resided for two 
years, in the spring of 1 855 locating in Missouri. 
They made their journey hither by water, landing 
at Glasgow, and from there came direct to Chariton 
County, which they made their permanent home. 
John AV. received his primarj' education in the 
schools of Kentucky, Ohio and Missouri, and as- 
sisted his father in the agricultural duties of the 
farm. When the father, mother and children ar- 
rived in their Missouri home, the father had just 
one dollar with which to begin life here. Nearly 
two-score years have passed since, upon April 3, 
1855, the Cazzells settled in Chariton County, 
where the father met with success and from his 
very small beginning amassed a comfortable com- 
petence. Our subject owns two hundred and fort}'- 
two acres of valuable land, eight}- acres of which 
he has brought under a iiigh state of improvement, 
the homestead annually yielding an excellent and 
profitable harvest. 

In 1866, John W. Cazzell and Sarah AV. Price 
were united in marriage. Mrs. Cazzell was a na- 
tive of North Carolina and for some time previous 
to her marriage a resident of Missouri. She was 
a widow, Mrs. Alexander Price, when our subject 
made her acquaintance. The union was blessed 
by the birth of two children, John W., Jr., and 
AVilliam, deceased. Mr. Cazzell and his wife and son 
are valued members of tlie Methodist Episcopal 
Ciiurch, and are among the active workers of that 
religious organization. The family are also widely 
known as intei'ested in the social and benevolent 
enterprises of their locality and are ever ready to 
assist in the promotion of all matters tending to 
the elevation and betterment of humanity. In the 
troulik)us limes of the Civil War, jAlr. Cazzell served 



bravely for three years in the Federal servioe, and 
from January 20, 1862, until February 20, 1865, 
was constantly exposed to privations and danger 
and actively participated in several hard-fought 
battles and was present at the encounters of Kirks- 
ville. Mo., and Fayette, also engaging in numer- 
ous skirmishes with the bushwhackers. The war 
ended, our subject returned again to the peaceful 
life of a farmer, after three years of faithful service 
in behalf of national existence, having just at- 
tained his majoril}' one month before his honorable 
discharge from the Federal army. As was the 
ardent and patriotic young bo}', so is the adult man, 
an earnest true and public-spirited American citi- 
zen, highly respected by the entire community 
among whom he passes his useful and hon- 
ored life. Politically, Mr. Cazzell is an ardent 
advocate of the Republican party. Besides his 
other offices of trust he has for some time occupied 
a leading position as a valued member of the 
School Board, and with wise suggestion and prompt 
action has materially assisted in the upward prog- 
ress of the district schools. A friend of educa- 
tion, the interests of the youth of his locality may 
be safely intrusted to his fostering care. Always 
busy, cheerful and courteous, our subject wins his 
upward way, and, a man of upright character, rests 
secure in the confidence and regard of a host of 
friends. 



'^^DDISON IIANNUM, a representative and 
(@/lJH leading agriculturist and ]>rominent and 
highly respected citizen of Linn County, 
Mo., owns a fine farm of two hundred 
and fourteen acres, lying mostly upon section 11), 
township 57, range 19, and since his location 
within the borders of the State has materially as- 
sisted in the upward growth and progress of his 
home neighborhood and locality. Our subject 
was born near Springfield, 111., Jul}- 1, 1826, and 
IS the son of Asahel and Emily (Brown) ITannum, 
who were among the very early pioneers of the 
West. The father was a native of Massachusetts, 



164 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and was remotely of English descent, liis immedi- 
ate ancestors having been among the prominent 
citizens of New England. His wife, born in the 
Empire State, had a sturdj' line of forefathers, 
wliose home was among the hills of " bonnie 
Scotland." Mr. and Mrs. Asahel Hannum first 
came to Illinois in 1820, and when Addison was 
but tliree _vears of age removed to Putnam 
Countj', locating in what was then but little more 
than an unbroken wilderness. 

The only instruction obtainable in those early 
daj^s was received in the primitive subscription 
schools, held in rude little log structures, in which 
some of the most eminent men of the State were 
taught full many years ago. Addison Hannum 
received but ver_y little schooling, having to walk 
three miles each way during his brief terms of 
study. Trained to sturdj', self-reliant manhood 
amid the pioneer scenes aud privations shared 
unmurmuringl^' by the enterprising settlers — 
who in many instances had left luxury and ease 
to carve their own way upward in the broad 
West^our subject at a very tender age began the 
struggle of life. His parents needing his service, 
he assisted upon the homestead until he was 
twenty-three years old, and then entered into ag- 
ricultural duties on his own account, locating in 
La Salle County. Mr. Hannum continued a resi- 
dent of that county for nearly thirty years, and 
in the spring of 1882 came to Linn Count}', Mo., 
where he bought his present farm, riow one of the 
most highlj' cultivated in this part of the vState, 
and yielding annually a large and valuable crop 
of hay and grain. 

For about one and a-half 3'ears our subject re- 
sided in Brookfield, but he has now returned to 
the old homestead, leaving Brookfield in Novem- 
ber, 1892. On the 22d of November, 1848, he 
was united in marriage with Miss Anna Roberta 
son, a daughter of John Robertson, a highly re- 
s[)ected resident of Putnam County, 111. Six chil- 
dren blessed the happy home: Samantha, Mrs. Will- 
iam Robertson, is the eldest; Anna, Mrs. G. W. Ul- 
mer, was the .second-born; James A. married Miss 
Lena Michell; and Henry M. married Miss Rosa 
Buell, and h.as two children. Addison, hi.s father's 
namesake, and a young man of worth. Mhility and 



intelligence, died deeply mourned April 19, 1891. 
He had married Miss Lily Goode, and left a wife 
and one child. Mary M., Mrs. J. Burton, has one 
child, and completes the list of sisters and bro- 
thers who used to gather in the old homestead. 
Their mother, Mrs. Anna Hannum, died March 
19, 1889, and on April 29, 1891, their father was 
married to Mrs. Lucinda Angeline Thorpe, of 
Brookfield, but a native of Murfreesboro, Tenn. 
She was first married to Austin D. Thorpe, a Ken- 
tuckian by birth. 

Mrs. Hannum is the mother of four children: 
John B. Thorpe; Mattie, Mrs. F. A. Dimmick; S. 
Price; and Louise, Mrs. W. L. Burris. Robert is de- 
ceased. Mrs. Hannum also rejoices in three grand- 
children. Our subject has a large progeny' of im- 
mediate descendants, his family now numbering 
nineteen living grandchildren and one great 
grandchild. Politically, Mr. Hannum is an ardent 
Republican, and is deeply interested in both local 
and national issues. He has lived to witness the 
rapid growth and progi-e.ss of the South and West, 
and, ever read}' to aid in social, benevolent or 
business enterprises, and active in the advancement 
of the best interests of the community, he is 
widely known and highly esteemed as an honor- 
able, earnest and public-spirited citizen. 



l^+^i 



\\, UDGE R. T. CRAVEN, of Ray County, was 
born June 19, 1844, near the place where 
he now lives in section 2, township .52, 
_^ range 29. His [larents, Andrew .T. and 
Huldah (Whitton) Craven, were natives of Ten- 
nessee, born respectively in 1812 and 1818. The 
paternal grandparents, Richard C. and Elizabeth 
(Rains) Craven, were natives of North Carolina, 
and from there they removed to Tennessee at an 
early date, when Indians still inhabited that State. 
There they continued to resiile until called away 
from the busy scenes of earth, after having at- 
tained to advanced years. 

In the district schools of Tennessee the father 
of our subject gained a common-school education. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD. 



165 



In 1830 he came to Ray County, Mo., where he 
grew to man's estate, meanwliile becoming familiar 
with agricultural pursuits on his fatlior's farm. 
In the fall of 1841 he married liuldah, (laughter 
of Elijah and Sarah (Ross) AVhitton, who were 
probably born in North Carolina but were, pio- 
neers of Tennessee. At the time of his father's 
death, Andrew J. Craven came into possession of 
a portion of the homestead, and with that as a 
foundation he accumulated a comfortable compe- 
tency. So successful were his efforts that he be- 
came the owner of six hundred and forty acres, 
most of which was improved during his lifetime. 
lie was still in the prime of life when called from 
earth in 1865; his wife still survives him and 
makes her home in this township on the old home- 
stead. 

The parental family consisted of nine children, 
one of whom died in childhood. The others were: 
R. T., of this sketch; Benjamin F., deceased; 
Henry; Sarah, wife of John Cleveuger; Mary F., 
who first man led Aden Clevenger and after his 
death became the wife of Zebidee Sailors; .James 
B., George and R. Allen. I'pon the twent^'-first 
anniversary of his birth, our subject was bereaved 
by the death of his father, after which he took 
charge of the homestead and cared for the other 
members of the family-. Prior to that and during 
the Civil AVar he enlisted for the service of the 
Fnion and served with credit to himself for nine 
months, when he was honorabl}' discharged. In 
186.5 he went with a freighting outfit over the 
plains on the Platte River to Cottonwood Springs. 

The marriage of Mr. Craven in November, 
1868, united him with Miss Eliza J., daughter of 
William and Luciuda (Sollinger) Mclvcr, and 
unto them have been born five children, namely: 
Andrew, Ada B., Laura and Ellen (twins) and 
Bertha Alice. After his marriage our subject set- 
tled on a portion of the homestead which had 
been be(iueathed to him by his father, and here he 
still makes his home. Since the place came into 
his possession he li.as greatly improved it by re- 
modeling the residence, building barns of a siil)- 
stantial kind, dividing and subdividing the fields 
by a neat system of fencing, and in other ways en- 
hancing the value of the farm. 



While his attention is devoted principally to 
agriculture, Mr. Craven finds lime to keep himself 
well informed on all topics of general and local 
interest. His political aftiliations have been with 
the Democratic party since boyhood and he is in- 
fluential in its ranks. For ten years he served ef- 
ficiently as Justice of the Peace and has been 
Notary Public for twelve j'ears. In 1888 he was 
chosen Associate Judge of the County Court, and 
was re-elected for a second term in 1890. He filled 
the position with great credit to himself and to 
the satisfaction of his fellow-citizens. He has 
been identified with the Masonic order since 1867 
and is a Master Mason, belonging to Harmony 
Lodge No. 384, A. F. & A. M., at Vibbard. 



y\\ II. REASER, A. M., Ph. D., President of 
Brookfleld College, was born in Leaven- 
li worth, Kan., November 22, 1863, and is 
the son of the Rev. J. G. and Agnes 
Brown (Munu) Reaser, the former a Doctor of 
Divinity, and, with his wife, now residing in 
Webb Citj% Mo. After acquiring the rudiments 
of his education in the common schools, he en- 
tered Washington University, at St. Louis, Mo., 
where he completed the studies of the sophomore 
class. Next he became a student in Westminster 
College, at Fulton, Mo., from which institution he 
was graduated in 1887 with the degree of B. A. 

The study of law had great attractions for our 
subject, and in his legal studies, which he carried 
on at Carthage, Mo., he became familiar with 
many technicalities of the law that are incompre- 
hensible to the uninitiated. He also when quite 
young entered upon the profession of a teacher, 
and at the age of eighteen had charge of a school 
at Bunker Hill, III. After graduating, he accepted 
a position as instructor in Carthage College, at 
Carthage, Mo. Westminster College conferred upon 
him the degree of A. M. in 1890, and two years 
later the degree of Ph. D., as a recognition of his 
successful laliors in political economy and litera- 
ture. For three years he occupied the Chair of 



166 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Literature in Carthage College, at the same time 
jirosecuting his legal studies. 

In 1891 Dr. Reaser was elected to the Presi- 
dency of Brookfield College, which position he 
has since held to the entire satisfaction of students, 
the faculty and general public. In 1892 he united 
with the Presbyterian Church, but had been en- 
gaged in church work for years before identifying 
himself with any denomination, and from bo}'- 
liood has been a devout believer in the truths of 
Christianity. Study of the history of his country 
and of social and economic questions has led him 
to maintain a great interest in the important issues 
thiitdivide the political parties of the United States, 
and, while in no sense of the word a politician, 
he is a warm supporter of the Republican party, 
and believes that its principles, if carried out, will 
best subserve the welfare of the people. 

At Fairfield, Iowa, August 10, 1891, Dr. Reaser 
and Harriet M., daughter of the Bev. J. F. Magill, 
D. D., were united in marriage. Mrs. Reaser is a 
lady of accomplished tastes, a graduate of Oxford 
(Ohio) Seminary, and possesses the higher graces 
and gifts that attract all with whom she associates. 
She has made a specialty of vocal music and is 
at present instructor of voice culture in Brook- 
field College. 

A few words with reference to the institution 
of which Dr. lieaser is President will be of in- 
terest to our readers. Brookfield Academy was 
opened September 1, 1880, by the Rev. J. P. Fin- 
ley, D. D. Under his able management it rapidly 
grew until it became necessary to obtain larger 
buildings. In 1888 the Academy, now chartered 
as Brookfield College, moved into its present beau- 
tiful and spacious quarters. During this period 
of growth Dr. Finley associated with him as as- 
sistant Mrs. Pratt, who aided him in all his work, 
and to whom much credit is due. Prof. Frank 
Bradshaw and Miss Margaret Rooker (afterward 
Mrs. Frank Bradshaw) were also included in the 
faculty, and became most favorably known as able 
teachers in their respective departments. In 1889 
Prof. L. A. Wirick and Mrs. Georgia Crandall 
were enrolled as members of the faculty. 

January 25, 1889, Dr. Finley suddenly |)assed to 
his long rest, and his death was a great blow to the 



institution. The Board elected the Rev. A. S. Leon- 
ard, pastor of the Presbyterian Church, as Acting 
President. He retained this position and served 
most favorably to the close of the year. About that 
time the college was taken under the care of the 
Presbytery of Palmyra, and a new board was 
elected, having two-thirds of its members Presb}'- 
terians. In 1889 Dr. Duncan Brown, of Highland 
University, Kan., was called to the Presidency, 
and during the two years in which he filled that 
position the school grew most rapidly under his 
charge. New members were added to the faculty 
and the enrollment of students greatly increased. 
At the resignation of Dr. Brown, in 1891, the 
present President, M. H. Reaser, Ph. D., was elected. 
The woik has continued to prosper and many 
improvements have been made. The rooms have 
been handsomely papered, the chapel newly fur- 
nished, two society halls carpeted, and societies 
organized and put on a Arm basis. Another year 
has been added to the course of study, and it is 
thorough and extensive. The city of Brookfield 
and the surrounding country are to be congratu- 
lated on having so handsomely an equipped 
school in their midst, and the citizens cannot do 
better than to send their children to an institu- 
tion at home which affords all the advantages of 
older and stronger colleges. 



FREDERICK D. WEBSTER, proprietor of 
f^ the Hale Flouring Mill at Hale, has been 
for a. number of years a leading business 
man of this vicinity. He is of Welsh descent, one 
of his forefathers having emigrated to New Eng- 
land at an early day. His father, Charles C. Web- 
ster, was born in Massachusetts and on arriving at 
man's estate married Miss Ann Worsley, who was 
born in Kentucky, and by her marriage became the 
mother of eight children, of whom our subject is 
the second in order of birth. The father removed 
to La Salle County, 111., in 1834, and followed the 
life occupation of a farmer. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



167 



Our subject was born in Marion County, Ohio, on 
the 1st of .Tune, 1832, and was but two years of 
age vvlien his parents brought him to Illinois. 
His education was ac(iuired in the common schools 
of La Salle County, and at the age of twenty-four, 
up to which time he had assisted his father in the 
care of his farm, he started out in life for himself. 
For about ten years he devoted his attention and 
energies to agriculture, after which lie determined 
to become a merchant. He opened a store in 
iMendota, La Salle County, which he carried on 
successfully for four years. In 1870, coming West- 
ward, he made a settlement in Carroll Count}-, Mo., 
where he again became a farmer. In 1884 Mr. 
"Webster came to Hale, and for five years was en- 
gaged in general merchandising, after which he 
sold out his interest and became a part owner in 
tlie Hale Flouring Mill, of which he is now super- 
intendent and manager. He still owns one hun- 
dred and twent}' acres of well-improved farm land. 
In 1858 Mr. AVebster was married to Miss Har- 
riet Ketcham, a daughter of the Rev. Frederick 
Ketcham, of New York. Four daughters grace 
the union of our worthy subject and his estimable 
wife: Minnie L., Lillie M., Mary S., and Grace A., 
who have all received good educational advan- 
tages and move in the best social circles. 

Mr. Webster is a true and loyal Republican and 
takes an active interest in the welfare of his party 
and in all public movements tending to tlie im- 
provement and elevation of his fellow-countrymen. 



l>^-<^ 



II. L0N(t, a -leading citizen of Linneus, 
Linn County, Mo., and a partner of the 
prosperous firm of Long & Homan, was 
born in Shelby County, Ky., February 17, 1844. 
His father, Robert Long, also a native Kentuckian, 
was born near Lexington, on the 22d of Novem- 
ber, 1809. Grandfather Long was born in Vir- 
ginia, and was a member of one of the old and 
highly respected families of the Old Dominion. 
Removing in an early day to Kentucky, his son 
Robert w.as reared in Lexington and there married 



Miss Margaret Runnion, with whom he journeyed 
to Missouri in 1820, but having raised one crop in 
Lincoln County went back to Shelby County, Ky., 
and renting his father's old homestead settled down 
to farming in his native State. In 1849, Father 
Long located in Oldham County, and continued in 
agricultural pursuits until his death, in 1890. The 
mother had passed away several years before. An 
uncle of our subject, Samuel Long, served with 
distinction as a Captain in the War of 1812. 

Robert Long was a devout Christian man and 
had aside from his regular employment pre.ached 
the word of God for over a half-centur3% His 
memor}^ will long be green in the hearts of all who 
knew him. He was the affectionate father of four- 
teen children, of whom our subject was the elev- 
enth in order of birth. Mr. Long was reared prin- 
cipally in Oldham County, Ky., and was educated 
in the little subscription schools of those early days. 
In the fall of 1865, he married Miss Lucy Shanks, 
daughter of James and Elizabeth Shanks, and in 
October, 1866, came with his wife to Linn County, 
and, renting land, actively engaged in farming. 
In 1867 he removed to land then owned by an 
uncle, but which that relative afterward deeded to 
our subject, and remained upon this homestead un- 
til 1879. when he came with his family to Jackson 
Township, Linn County. Here he bought a farm 
and continued in the tilling of the soil for twelve 
3'ears. In 1891 our subject formed his present 
partnership with Mr. Homan. 

The pleasant home of Mr. and Mrs. Long has 
been blessed by the birth of seven children, all 
living: Eliza, Joseph, William Edward, Hcnr}-, 
Francis, Lelia and Lyman. The parents are val- 
ued members of the Christian Church and with 
their family enjoy a position of usefulness and in- 
fluence. Mv. Long has for many years been an 
Elder in the church and prominently connected 
with its good work, Our subject wears the button 
of the Grand Army of the Republic in commem- 
oration of the time, in 1862, when he bravelj' en listed 
in Company F, Ninth Regiment Kentuck\' Cavalry, 
and served as Corporal of the same. The compan}', 
which was enlisted as State (iuard, spent the time 
along the Cumberland, and went entirely through 
the campaign against Morgan, continuing in duty 



168 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



for twelve months. Politically Mr. Long is a 
member of the People's Party, but, an earnest and 
consistent citizen, favors the man he firmly be- 
lieves best adapted to occupy positions of trust 
and responsibility. Never a politician in the 
usual acceptation of the term, lie takes a deep in- 
terest in the affairs of ttie day and gives to all 
matters of local and national importance grave 
consideration. A man of business integrity and 
upright character, our subject is highly respected 
and universally esteemed. 



♦-^^1 



:h,^.h 



jEV. FATHER HERIBERT STOTTER, of 
{/ the order of St. Francis, the self-sacrific- 
ing and devoted priest of the parishes of 
^: Indian Grove and Brunswick, Chariton 
County, Mo., is one of the most energetic, earnest 
and faithful workers in the Christian fiekl in the 
.Southwest. Born in Rinkerode, Province of West- 
phalia, Germany, May 30, 1857, our subject was 
one in a family of ten children, two daughters and 
eight sons, and was tiie second youngest of the 
brothers and sisters who clustered around the home 
fireside. The parents were John Bernard Stotter, 
and Gertrude (Luetke Woestmann) Stotter, who 
each represented families who could trace back 
their ancestry through numerous generations of 
their Fatherland. The father had always been a 
tiller of the soil, and as the sons were able they too 
assisted in the labors of the farm, and grew up 
sturdy, robust men, of fine physique and command- 
ing presence. 

Simple in their tastes, industrious in their hab- 
its, and deeply religious from their earliest life, the 
children were devout in their observance of church 
duties, giving earnest thought to the strengthen- 
ing of Catholicism, and our subject was not more 
than fourteen years of age when he resolved to 
devote his life to the service of the church. Keep- 
ing the priesthood constantly in view, P'ather Stot- 
ter continued to receive instruction in the parish 
school until he emigrated to America. Arriving 
ill the New World shortly after attaining his fif- 



teenth year, it was not long before our subject be- 
gan his preparations for the life of a celibate. He 
first studied in St. .Joseph's College, and at the 
Monastery of St. Francis, at Teutopolis, 111., spend- 
ing in these religious institutions eight ^ears, then 
giving two years' close attention to philosophy in 
the monastery at ({uincy. 111. At the expiration 
of this length of time, he entered tlie monastery 
of St. Anthony, at St. Louis, Mo., remaining there 
four 3'cars, and then was assigned to the charge of 
the Brunswick and Indian Grove churches, both 
in Chariton County, Mo. 

It was in July, 1887, that Father Stotter entered 
upon his new field of duty, since which time the 
parishes have both been greatly prospered, their 
faithful, earnest and energetic priestly guide gain- 
ing a host of sincere friends among the people 
who daily witness his pious labors. 

The parish at Brunswick, a part of our subject's 
dual charge, was established in 1870, mainly 
through the persevering efforts of John Strub, 
Eherad Reinwald and Emil Paul Holland, who 
were the first Trustees of the parish. St. Boniface 
progres.sed at first but slowly, not being able for 
some time to establish a school in connection with 
the other parish work. In 1879, pupils first re- 
ceived instruction under the supervision of Father 
John Rings, O. S. F.. the school being conducted 
by a lay teacher until 1886. It was then placed 
in the care of the Benedictine and St. Francis 
Sisters. The immediate predecessor of the Rev. 
Father Stotter was Father Patrick Degraa, O. S. 
F., who remained in charge six years. Among 
the early priests who did conscientious and effi- 
cient service in this religious field of work vveie 
the Rev. John Rings, O. S. F., Father Bonaven- 
ture, O. S. F., and Rev. Father Francis, O. S. F. 
The Rev. Charles Kearful, whose name is re- 
vered in the parishes, was among the first of 
the priests who ofticiated here. Before the pai-- 
ishes were established a missionary priest period- 
ically visited the families of the Catholic faith in 
Brunswick, baptizing the children, and encourag- 
ing them in the exercise of their religious duties. 
For fifteen years the missionary fatiiers continued 
upon their rounds in this portion of Missouri, do- 
ini; a oi'eat reliiiioiis work when it was a strug- 




--^^^^>zr/^C Pu^-^^^-^-^^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



171 



gling Territory, laboring under disadvantages and 
advancing but slowly to a triumphant Statehood. 
The career of the Rev. Father Stotter has been dis- 
tinguished by piety, earnest purpose, and the good 
judgment which has materially aided him in the 
promotion of the various enterprises which have 
received their conception and guidance during his 
ministrations. The brothers of our reverend sub- 
ject who have made their home in America have 
each adopted a religious life, and belong to the O. 
S. F., and are among the highl}' valued lay mem- 
bers of the order. Our subject, although not a na- 
tive-born citizen, is in full accord with the institu- 
tions of our Hepublican nation, and urges upon 
the members of his flock the stern necessity of 
making themselves worthy of the great privileges 
they now enjoy. Devoted to the work of the Mas- 
ter, untiring in his round of duty among the sick, 
suffering and dying, purifying and elevating 
grosser humanity, Father Stotter goes upon his 
way blessed in his efforts, and esteemed and re- 
spected by all who know his unblemished record 
and standard of principle. 






i 



R. HIGIISMITII, M. D. A well-known 



pliysician located at Carrollton, Carroll 



'^^ County, and a man of great professional 
ability, who personall}' commends himself to all by 
virtue of his affable manner, is he whose name ap- 
pears above. Aside from his private practice, he 
has the work of the Wabash, Santa Fe and Chicago, 
Burlington & Kansas City Railroads, and is Secre- 
tary of the Board of P^xaminers for pensions. Asa 
surgeon he is skilled and his ability is unsurpassed. 
Dr. Ilighsmith is the owner of the finest residence 
in the city, a beautiful home located on Main Street, 
which is the meeting place for the wit .and beauty 
of the town and vicinity. 

Dr. Ilighsmith is a native of Savannah, Ga., and 
was born December 4, 1848. He is a son of Ewing 
and Elizabeth (Wallace) Ilighsmith, the former 
born in Georgia, and the latter in Blount County, 
Tonn. Our subject's paternal grandfather, the 



Rev. Richard Ilighsmith, was a preacher in tlie 
Baptist Church and held pastorates in Georgia, 
Kentucky and Illinois. The family is of German 
descent. Our subject's father was employed as a 
farmer in his native State. He located in Lincoln 
County, Mo., about 1850, and later in Crawford 
County, 111., where he still resides. Our subject's 
mother died many years ago, leaving four chil- 
dren, of whom the Doctor is the onl^' son. He was 
reared in Illinois and remained at home until 
twelve years of age, when he began to lookout for 
himself. At fourteen he went to Macon County 
and entered school, and at the age of sixteen began 
to teach. Later he took a course at the Illinois 
Normal, and then taught in Piatt and Moultrie 
Counties until 1868, when he came to Carroll 
County, first engaging as a teacher in De Witt, Mo. 

Dr. Ilighsmith continued teaching in De Witt 
until the spring of 1861), when he entered the 
Kirksville Normal, from which he was graduated 
in the fall of that year with the degree of Bachelor 
of Science. In 1872 he entered the Missouri Med- 
ical College at St. Louis, and three years later 
finished the course with the degree of Doctor of 
Medicine. He began practicing in De Witt, giving 
his undivided attention to his chosen profession. 
In 1882-83 he attended lectures in New York, and 
the degree of Doctor of Medicine was conferred 
upon him by Bellevue College. A thorough en- 
thusiast in his work, he was ambitious to master 
every branch of the healing art, and took a private 
course of study in surgery under Doctors Bryant 
& Weith. He also took a private course in the 
diseases of women at the Polyclinic College. He 
also made a specialty of diseases of the nose and 
throat, studying under Dr. Bosworth, of Bellevue. 

After this extended course our subject returned 
to De Witt, in which city he continued his practice 
until June, 1888, when he was appointed surgeon 
of the Wabash and Santa Fe Roads and found it 
would be expedient for him to locate in Carroll- 
ton. Since that time he has given his attention 
largely to his surgical work in connection with the 
railroad. Aside from his professional services he 
has been a public benefactor, ready to take up all 
feasible enterprises that promise to advance the 
interests of Ihe town. He was one of the organ- 



172 



POjctTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



izers of the Dain Manufacturing Company, but 
finding the duties demanded too much of his time 
he retired from it. 

Dr. Ilighsmith was married in tliis count}' Oc- 
tober 17, 1877, to Miss Emma F., daughter of 
Jonathan McKinne}', a prominent farmer in this 
locality. They are the parents of one child, 
Mary E. The Doctor is the President of the 
Board of Health. Fraternally, he is a member 
of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and 
the Knights Templar. In church matters, he and 
his wife are worshippers with the Methodists. In 
politics, he favors that party which believes in 
Protection, and is one of its strongest advocates. 
He was chairman of the Republican County Cen- 
tral Committee for two years. His connection 
with medical societies is large and we will only 
name the most important, viz: the National Asso- 
ciation of Railway Surgery; American Medical 
Association; State Medical Society, and Carroll 
County Medical Society. 



fc 



ONG & HOMAN, the energetic and suc- 
cessful dealers in hardware, cutlery, stoves 
and tinware, at Linneus, Linn County, 
Mo., carr}' a most complete stock of goods in 
their line of trade and command a large and rap- 
idly extending business, second to none in Linn 
County. Ciiarles 8. Homan, the senior partner of 
the firm, is a native Missourian and an old-time 
resident of Linneus, but was born in Cooper 
County, Septemlier 28, 1833, and was the son of 
•Jesse Homan, born in Saratoga Count}', N. Y., in 
1801. Father Homan remained in his native State 
until he had attained manhood, when he went to 
Kentucky, and from that Slate emigrated to Mis- 
souri, settling in Potosi, Wasliington County, and 
engaging in the trade of cabinet-maker. He after- 
ward removed to Cooper County, where he died 
at the advanced age of four-score and one years. 
Father Homan married in Washington County 
Miss Elizabeth Edgar, daughter of .lames Edgar, a 



native Virginian, and later a resident of Ken- 
tucky, and one of the pioneers of Washington 
County, Mo. 

Ten children clustered about the fireside of 
Jesse and Elizabeth Homan, four of whom are 
yet surviving. James P. resides in Potosi; Jesse 
lives at Springfield; W. J. makes his home in 
Boonville: our subject completes the list of the 
fainil}-, all of whom are citizens of Missouri. .Jesse 
Homan with his excellent wife reared his large 
family to maturity and gave them a good start in 
life. The parents were devout members of the 
Cumberland Presbj'terian Church and active in 
good works. The mother passed away in the 
year 1887, aged eighty years, and left behind her 
the blessed memory of a well-spent life. Our 
subject was reared in Boonville and educated in 
tlie i)ublic schools. He early learned the trade of 
tinsmith and followed that occupation for a few 
months in Boonville. He located in Linneus 
in May 18.54, not having "yet attained his major- 
ity, and received ready employment as a tin- 
smith, but six months later removed to Trenton, 
Mo., where he remained working at his trade for 
the next nine and a-half years, and established a 
hardware store, the first in Grundy County. 

While in Trenton our subject was united in 
marriage with Misj Martha Tcrrill, daughter of 
James Terrill, a prominent farmer. Mrs. Homan 
is a native of Randolph County, Mo., and a lady 
of ability and highly esteemed. From Trenton 
Mr. and Mrs. Homan removed to Brunswick, 
where our subject opened a hardware store, but in 
nine months concluded to make his home in Lin- 
neus. Here he profitably conducted from 1864 
until 1881 a tinware and furniture store, but at 
tlie latter date removed to Columbia, and there 
worked at liis trade for three years, at the exjiira- 
tion of tills time returning to Linneus. Here 
he worked in a store until February 2, 1891, 
when he bought out C. F. Collins and has since 
been prosperously engaged in his present business. 
Our subject is a valued member of the Independ- 
ent Order of Odd Fellows, is Past Grand in the 
order, and has represented Linneus Lodge No. 52 
in the Grand Lodge of Missouri. Politically lie 
is an active member of the People's Party, and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



173 



(luring the late war cominanded a company in the 
State Militia. He has also occupied with able 
fidelity tlie responsible position of Collector of 
Locust Creek Township, and, a pioneer resident, 
has a vivid recollection of an abundance of deer 
and other wild game, and well remembers a gather- 
ing of five hundred Indian warriors in his native 
city, Boonville. During his lifetime residence in 
Missouri Mr. Homan has ever worthily discharged 
his entire duty as a true American citizen, and 
possesses the regard of an extended acquaintance 
throughout the various counties of his native 
State. 



-^ 



JOHN ROWE KERBY. For many years the 
original of this sketch held a responsible 
position in the office of the Register of 
Deeds, his connection beginning in Decem- 
ber. 1860. Mr. Kerby was born in Saline County, 
Mo., May 27, 1845. He is a son of Overton J. 
Kerby, who was a native of Albemarle County, 
Va. His grandfather, John R., was a shoemaker 
in \'irginia and served in the War of 1812. In 
1836 he came to Saline County, Mo., and located 
on a farm, and thereafter engaged in the agricul- 
tural calling. He later located in De Witt, Car- 
roll County. He was a cabinet-maker by trade 
and carried on an undertaking business there. A 
Democrat in politics, he was j'et a strong Union 
man. 

Our subject's father was a surveyor and school 
teacher, and on coming to Saline County was cm- 
plo3'ed in both these directions. He was there 
married about 1838, his wife being a Miss Cheat- 
ham. They soon after removed to Chariton 
County', near Brunswick. Mr. Kerb\^ continued 
to teach there for a year, and in 1847 located in 
De Witt. He taught school for a time and was 
appointed County Survej'or in 1848. For one 
year he filled that position, and was then ap- 
pointed Deputy County Clerk. In 1851 he was 
elected County' Clerk, was re-elected in 1853, and 
continued to serve until 1860. 

In IHiil Overton J. Kerbj- bought out the Dem- 



ocral, and later changed its name to the Carroll 
Journal, of which he was editor as well as proprie- 
tor. This he sold in 1874. He ran this paper as a 
Union organ during the war. In 1874 John R. 
Kerby, of whom this sketch is written, was elected 
County Clerk and appointed his father his Dep- 
uty-. They were associated in this way for eight 
3'ears, at the end of whicii time he opened the ab- 
stract office, which he ran until the death of his 
partner, which occurred June 2, 1891. 

Our subject's mother was before her marriage 
Miss Ann Eliza Cheatham, a native of Virginia 
and of Irish descent. Her decease occurred in 
1852. She was the mother of five children, three 
of whom lived to be grown. Of these, the origi- 
nal of this sketch is the eldest. After the decease 
of our subject's mother his father married a second 
time, the lady of his choice being Damaris E. 
Young, a native of Ohio. Three children were 
the fruit of this marriage, of whom two still live. 
They reside in California and Southern Missouri, 
respectively. 

Our subject has been in Carroll County since 
1847 and in the town since 1849. He attended 
the early subscription schools and was later a 
student at the Carroll Seminar}-. When nine 
years of age he began to work in his father's office, 
continuing to be thus employed until December, 
1860, when he received an appointment under 
John F. Houston as Register of Lands, having his 
headquarters at .lefferson Cit}'. He remained there 
until just before the town was captured by the 
Federal troops. He returned home in 1861, and 
in the early part of 1862 was appointed Clerk of 
the Probate Court. In 1864 he was a|)pointed 
Deputy Clerk and also Deputy Circuit Clerk, but 
after filling the office for two months left for 
Iowa. 

On returning to Missouri, Mr. Kerbj' went into 
the drug business in Clark Co\inty, in Novem'oer, 
1864, with his uncle. He continued in that until 
1867, and in the same business at another point 
until 1871, when he was appointed Deputy County 
Clerk, and three years later was elected County 
Clerk on the Democratic ticket with a majority' of 
over twelve hundred. He held the office from 
January, 1.H75, to .January, 1H83. The next vear 



174 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



he went into partnership with his father in tlie 
abstract business, in which lie continued until the 
death of the latter, and since then has carried on 
the business alone. He makes complete abstracts 
of all the records, and is conversant with all the 
decrees of the various courts. He also does a con- 
veyancing business and is a Notary Public. This 
ofHce is the only one from which complete abstracts 
could be made in Carroll County. 

Mr. Kerby was married in Carrollton, June 12, 
1867. His bride was Miss Eliza Van Hook, a na- 
tive of this county, and a daughter of Harris Van 
Hook, an carl}' settler here. They have a pleasant 
home and are social favorites. They are both 
greatly interested in temperance work and he is a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, 
and his wife a Baptist. Mr. Kerby belongs to the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In politics, 
he is a Democrat. Mr. Kerby knows every foot of 
Carroll County and is known by cver^-one here. 
He is popular with all classes, and is well fitted for 
the high position he holds. 



HARLES E. PIERCE is the gentlemanly 
and capable Marshal of Orrick, Mo., and 
as a public-spirited citizen and an intelli- 
gent man of affairs he is recognized by all with 
whom he comes in contact. He was born in Cat- 
taraugus County, N. Y., July 13, 1853, his father, 
.lusepli F. Pierce, having been born in Montreal, 
Canada, in 1802; the latter was a well-known sur- 
veyor connected with the Hudson Bay Fur Com- 
pany, and also held the position of custom house 
officer for some time, making a very capable 
and trustworthy official. His wife, whose maiden 
name was INIartha B. Brown, was born at Saratoga 
Springs, N. Y., in 1821. .She was one of three 
sons and three daughters, and the father was one 
of two children, the other member of the family 
being a brother. 

Charles E. Pierce left the parental roof at the 
early age of twelve years and began supporting 
himself bj' working on a farm during the summer 



months, his winters being spent in the common 
schools of the neighborhood, he receiving merely 
his board as compensation for his services. When 
sixteen years of age, he apprenticed himself to 
William Morrison, of Versailles, N. Y., and during 
the two years that he remained with him he ob- 
tained a practical knowledge of Vulcan's art, 
completing his knowledge of the blacksmitli's 
trade in the city of Buffalo with Mr. Higgins. 
Following this for one year he was a sailor on the 
Great Lakes, his commander being Capt. Drake. 
After leaving his employ, he went to the oil fields 
of Bradford, Pa., where he became an expert in tool 
dressing. Nine months later he returned to his 
old employer, Mr. Morrison, of Versailles, N. Y., 
and worked for him and on a farm until 1876, 
when he wisely decided to follow the advice of 
Horace Greeley, and, accordingly, came West, fol- 
lowing various occupations in different localities 
of the West and Northwest, until the 26th of Au- 
gust, 1880, when he was married. 

For nine months after his marriage Mr. Pierce 
was a inaster mechanic in Banks Mills, of Clay 
County, Mo., after* wliich he removed to Garrison, 
Pottawatomie County, Kan., three years later tak- 
ing up his residence in Kansas City, Mo., where 
he successfully carried on his trade for some six 
years. At the end of that lime he took up his resi- 
dence in Orrick, where he has since made his home, 
and where he is highly regarded in business circles. 
He was elected to the position of City Marshal 
in the spring of 1892, and has filled the same in a 
manner reflecting the highest credit upon himself 
and to the general satisfaction of the citizens of the 
city. While in Kansas he held the position of Jus- 
tice of the Peace, and also that of Deputy Sheriff, 
and, being an ardent Democrat, has on various 
occasions been a delegate to county and State con- 
ventions, in wliich he enthusiastically espoused 
his party's principles. To himself and wife one 
child has been given, Maud, who was born July 
7, 1882, and is a bright and intelligent little girl. 

The wife of our subject was formerly Miss Eva 
Surdam, who was born in Russell, (ieauga County, 
Ohio, a daughter of Lawrence and Sarah (Will- 
iams) Surdam, the former being a native of the 
State of New York and descended from Dutch an- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



175 



cestors. The mother, Sarah Williams, is a cousin 
of Lord Thomas Stowe, of England, and is re- 
lated to the Harriet Beecher Stowe family. She 
has five sisters living. Mrs. Pierce has two brothers 
and one sister, who reside in Kansas. She was 
educated in Chester Seminary, Geauga County, 
Ohio, and is an accomplished and intelligent 
lady. Mr. Pierce is the eldest of four children, 
three boj's and one girl, and has two half-sis- 
ters, one of whom resides in Kansas, one in Illi- 
nois and the others in the State of New York. 



; j OHN J. MOORE. Since the early part of 
the century the family of which the gentle- 
^^ I man whose name heads this sketch is a mem- 
y^^' ber has taken a leading part in the his- 
tory of Chariton County. His grandfather, John 
Moore, emigrated to Missouri from Kentucky 
about the year 1816, making the entire distance 
on horseback. After looking around for two years 
he concluded to make this county his future home, 
and accordingly brought out his family. He served 
as the first Sheriff of Chariton County, which 
then extended as far north as the Iowa Hue. He 
was one of the very earlj' pioneers of Old Chari- 
ton, a place which at that time was thought des- 
tined to be the greatest city west of the Missis- 
sippi River. Mr. Moore carried on a hotel for 
some years at that point, and w.as killed by a 
stranger in his own home. 

Our subject is a son of John G. Moore, who was 
born in Chariton County, and who married Miss 
Martha Jane Holland, a native of Rockingham 
County, Va., who came West with her parents 
when quite young. After his marriage, Mr. Moore 
entered land of the Government within one and 
a-half miles of Keytesville, where he lived during 
the remainder of his life, and was a well-known 
farmer and stock-raiser of the countj^ and a lead- 
ing citizen. He w.as an extensive slave-owner, and 
w-as killed in 18()3 on his farm b}' one of his slaves. 
He had a family of nine children, of whom eight 



grew to manhood and womanhood, and six of 
whom are yet living. 

Mr. Moore of this sketch was born in Chariton 
Country, on the 3d of November, 1811, and 
jiassed his boyhood on the old homestead. His 
education was that of the district schools, which he 
supplemented by a course at the college in Glas- 
gow, Mo. He was only seventeen when he en- 
listed in Clark's division. State Guards, from 
which he was transferred to Company D, Sixth 
Missouri Regulars, C. S. A. He was in service for 
four j'ears and fifteen days, in which time he took 
part in many of the most severe battles of the 
war. We mention among these the battles of Pea 
Ridge, the first engagement at Corinth, Miss., 
next the battle of luka, and afterward the second 
battle of Corinth, whence he was sent to Dalton, 
Ga.. taking part in the battle at that point, then in 
the engagement at Rome (Ga.), New Hope Church, 
Kenesaw Mountain, Marietta, Atlanta, West Point 
(Miss.), Columbia (Tenn.), Franklin, Nashville, 
Vicksburg, Big Black River, Port Gibson, Blakely 
and Altoona, besides many other minor engage- 
ments. Ill 1861 he was in the border campaign 
through Missouri, and was four times more or less 
seriously wounded. At Vicksburg he was taken 
prisoner, being afterward exchanged. 

After his return from the war, Mr. Moore lo- 
cated on the old homestead, where after living for 
about eight months he w.as united in marriage with 
Miss Eliza Rej'nolds. To them were born two 
children, one of whom died in infancy, and the 
other, Ephrairn P., is a farmer three and a-half 
miles southe:ist of Ke3'tesville. Mrs. Moore de- 
parted this life October 22, 1871. In 1867 our 
subject removed to a farm he had purch.ised one 
and a-fourth miles south of his birthplace. To its 
cultivation and im[)rovement he devoted himself 
until 1884, engaged in general farming and stock- 
raising. 

On the 3d of November, 1872, occurred the mar- 
riage of Mr. Moore and Miss Eliza F. AVood. Mrs. 
Moore is a daughter of B. F. Wood, a prominent 
farmer of Chariton County. His death occurred 
in 1889, at the age of sixty-six. He was born 
December 16, 1823, in this county. His widow is 
still living on the old farm in Kej'tesville Town- 



176 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ship. Six children liave been born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Moore. The family circle is still unbroken, 
and in order of birth they are as follows: Eggles- 
ton, (irace, Ella H., Virgie, John G. and Re- 
becca. 

In 1881 Mr. Moore was elected Sheriff on the 
Democratic ticket, filling that position for two 
terms, four successive j-ears, with great credit to 
himself and to the full satisfaction of his con- 
stituents. After his term of office had expired he 
became the proprietor of the Keytesvillc House, 
which he carried on for two years, since which time 
he has been engaged in operating the street rail- 
road in tliis place. The line runs between Keytes- 
ville and Keytcsville Station, a distance of about 
two miles, which is much traveled. He still owns 
two hundred and forty acres of good farm land in 
Rowling Green Township, this county, and also 
some property- in the town. 

Mr. and Mrs. Moore are members of the Presby- 
terian Church, and the former holds membership 
with the Select Knights of the Ancient Order of 
United Workmen. He has always been a strong 
supporter of the Democracy and one of the active 
workers in the ranks. He is Secretary of the Dem- 
ocratic Central Committee, and in 1888 was made 
Delegate to tiie State Convention. 



I€+^I 



j ALPH SMITH, a representative general agri- 
culturist and successful stock-raiser of La- 
clede, Linn County, Mo., is a classical 
) scholar of fine literary attainments, and 
owns one of the most extensive and valuable 
libraries in this part of the State. A citizen of su- 
perior ability and upright character, he has been 
honored by positions of trust, and as a School Di- 
rector for four years, and a Justice of the 'Peace 
for three years, has discharged the duties devolving 
upon him faithfully and efficiently. Our subject 
was born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., June 2, 
1833, and was the son of Ralph Smith, a native of 
England, who was born in 1799, came to America 
at twenty years of age, and located for a brief time 



in Canada, working by the month upon a farm. 
Father Smith had been trained from early child- 
hood in agricultural duties, and remained upon his 
homestead in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., until 
about 1840, when he removed to the Canadian side, 
where he remained until his death in 1884. He 
was married in the Empire State to Mary Jordan, 
who had been reared in New York State, but was 
a native of Northumberland County, England. 

Father and Mother Smith lived to a good old 
age, dying respectively at eighty-five and eightj'- 
four years. The paternal grandfather had given 
his children the advantages of a common-school 
education which they well improved. Another 
son, Robert Smith, uncle of our subject, served in 
the War of 1812. Father Smith prospered in his 
new home, and, a man of deep religious conviction 
and high principle, served as Ruling Elder in the 
Presbyterian Church for a full half-century. He 
and his good wife were the parents of eight chil- 
dren, of whom six are yet living. Our subject was 
the eldest of the famil3', and was educated in Can- 
ada, at Knox College, Toronto, and was grad- 
uated from this well-known institution of learning 
in 1848. Soon after completing his studies, he lo- 
cated in Shelby County, Ky., and taught in the 
Whitehall Seminary for two years, then removing 
to the State of Indiana, where he owned and 
taught an academ3' in Rockport, on the Ohio River. 
Here he also studied law with Judge DeBrueler, 
an eminent legal practitioner, and was admitted 
to the Bar in 1851. 

Our subject entered into partnership with Judge 
De Brueler for two years, and then went to Dubois 
Countjr, Ind., where he practiced his profession 
until the breaking out of the Civil War, when he 
actively engaged in the service of the Govern- 
ment, and for three j^ears was occupied as recruit- 
ing olHcer. He raised two companies and held two 
commissions as Captain, and loj'allj' and faithfully 
gave his earnest effort in behalf of national exist- 
ence. About this time the health of Mr. Smith be- 
gan to decline, and he came to Linn County, Mo., 
and purchased one hundred and forty acres of ex- 
cellent land, to which he has since added, now own- 
ing three hundred and ten acres. He had intended 
to entirelv resign the active practice of the profes- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



177 



sion on arriving in his new home, but was against 
his inclination almost forced into accepting tlie 
business, winch constantly deniantled his service, 
and it was not until three years ago that our sub- 
ject was enabled to devote his time more to leisure 
and the pursuits of agriculture. 

In 1805, Mr. Smith began the cultivation of 
twenty acres of fruit, which so well rewarded his 
efforts he has been constantly extending the limits 
of his orchard, twenty acres now returning an- 
nually an abundant harvest of the finest varie- 
ties of fruits and berries found in this region of 
country-. At the same time our subject has en- 
gaged extensively in sheep-raising, and at first 
handled the Cotswolds, breeding only iiigh-grade 
sheep, but he now raises the Merino half-breeds for 
tlieir wool. In 1888, Mr. Smith was united in 
marriage with Miss C E. Murphy, a daughter of 
C^'renius Murphy, a prominent farmer and stock- 
raiser of Sullivan County, Mo. The beautiful 
home of our subject and his attractive wife has 
been blessed witli the presence of a bright little 
son, Cecil R. Mr. Smith is a valued member of 
the Congregational Church, and has always been a 
strong advocate of temperance. Politically, he is 
a stanch Republican, and lield the official position 
of Prosecuting Attorney in Dubois County, Ind.^ 
and has here as School Director materially aided in 
promoting a superior grade of scholarship and in- 
struction. Well fitted by an accurate and extended 
knowledge of the law to occupj' with honor and 
fidelity the office of Justice of the Peace, his de- 
cisions have ever been sustained by the upper 
courts, and have almost invariably given satisfac- 
tion to the parties concerned, many of wliom have 
in other instances yielded to his counsel and 
amicably adjusted their differences. 

Aside from his other occupations, our subject 
has profitably handled large amounts of real estate. 
His own propert)' is finely improved, and one of 
the most valuable belongings of the home is the 
magnificent library', in which the classical authors 
in the original Greek, Hebrew and Latin may be 
found. These volumes are specially prized by 
their owner, who received so man}' years ago from 
his Alma Mater the degree of A. M. Mr. Smith 
employs a numiier of hired men upon his farm and 



in his orchard and spends much of his time out of 
doors in superintending their work. His health is 
more vigorous than former]}-, and his life is as 
ever a bus}' one. A man of intelligent culture 
and broad sympathies, he is progressive in his 
ideas, and earnest in liis efforts for the betterment 
of mankind, and is widely known as a substantial, 
public-spirited citizen, and an important factor in 
local improvement and enterprise. 



ytelLLIAM BOWYER, the energetic propri- 
/ etor of the leading livery, feed and sale 
^\'!jf stables of Linneus, Linn County, Mo., 
was born on a farm, about two miles from Linneus, 
February 22, 1858. His father, Thomas B. Bow- 
yer, now residing upon section 31, township 58, 
range 21, Linn County, was the first white child 
born in the county, and is one of the most pros- 
perous general agriculturists and successful stock- 
raisers in this part of the State. Thomas B. Bow- 
yer is the son of William Bowyer, who was born 
in Rutherford County, Tenn., and came to Howard 
County, Mo., when he -was but a lad of sixteen, 
accompanying his father and mother to the new 
Territory, of which they were very earl}- pioneer 
settlers. Henry Bowyer, the paternal great-grand- 
father, was in the Creek Nation War under Gen. 
Jackson. Grandfather William Bowyer was mar- 
ried -in Howard County to Miss Martha Tyre, a 
native of North Carolina, whence she came to 
Missouri in an early day in the history of the 
State. 

After his marriage, Grandfather William Bowyer 
spent several years in Howard County, but in 
1831 removed to wliat is now Linn County, and 
in January, 1832, in company with Jesse Bowyer, 
located permanently upon section 2, Locust Creek 
Township, about one-half mile west of Linffeus, 
where they found a good spring. They had at 
first intended to explore the country before locat- 
ing, but the presence of the spring and other ad- 
vantages offered by the locality induced them to 
at once make their choice of this land as their 



178 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



home. A suitable shelter having been provided, 
the wife and two children of William Bow3'er soon 
joined the party, and with a brother of Mrs. Bow- 
yer, Lewis T^^re, formed the first white family 
wiiieh made their home within the limit of Linn 
County-. The two brothers, William and Jesse 
Bowyer, soon after started on their return to How- 
ard County to get the family of Jesse Bowj'er; but 
in the meantime tiie creeks became so swollen 
that the}' could neither go forward nor go back to 
the family the}' had just left for nearlj' two 
months. The Indians became somewhat demon- 
strative during that time and greatly terrified the 
young slave girl, Anna, who had accompanied her 
mistress to the new home in the wilderness of Linn 
County. 

As soon as the brothers returned with the other 
family they set about erecting cabins and clearing 
the land, beginning their improvements in March, 
and with resolution and indomitable perseverance 
rapidly effected a great change in this spot in the 
wilderness of the Territory. Here William Bowyer 
continued to make his home until his death, in 
1852. In 1846, he served with faithful fidelity to 
his country in the Mexican War, and in 1850 went 
to California, and, returning overland, died in 
Brunswick, Mo. He had taken the smallpox on 
his way home and died at the above-named place. 
William Bowyer vvas the father of four children: 
Mary Elizabeth is the wife of Milton Cross, of 
Arkansas; Thomas B., the father of our subject, was 
the second in order of birth; Marjory J. married 
John L. Thomas, who lives four miles southwest 
of Linneus; Louis V. resides upon the old home- 
stead which his father entered from the Govern- 
ment. In 1866, the loTing mother of these two 
.sons and two daughters passed away. Grandfather 
AVillliam Bowyer was a man of uncommon ability 
and enterprise and was a born leader, occupying 
the Judicial Bench for man}' years as County 
Judge, and was also a commissary in the Mexican 
War. During his mature lifetime and residence in 
Linn County, he was prominently associated with 
the growth of progress and enterprise. Emphati- 
cally a man of the people, he was a strong Dem- 
ocrat and took an active part in the affairs of the 
dav. attendinsi the coventions and gatherings of 



his party, where his advice, always firm and judi- 
cious, was thoroughly valued. 

Thomas B. Boyer, the father of our subject, was 
born on the 25th of December, 1834, and the ad- 
vent of the first white child of the county upon 
the Holy Christmas Day was a great event in the 
new settlement. Growing up a sturdy lad upon 
the old homestead, he enjoj'ed unlimited opportu- 
nities for hunting and fishing and, for those days, 
received a good education in the little district 
school of Linneus. Father Bowyer was married 
in October, 1855, to Miss Mar}- Alexander, a daugh- 
ter of Edmund Alexander, an early settler of the 
county. The young husband and wife located 
about one and a-half miles west of the old Bowyer 
homestead, and there Father Bowyer improved the 
land which he had purchased, but later sold out 
and removed to Linneus, where he remained two 
years. Thomas Bowyer was a member of the En- 
rolled Militia during the late war, and was Adju- 
tant of the Provisional Regiment. When he left 
Linneus he returned to the old homestead and im- 
proved the land, remaining there for fourteen 
years and then making his home upon a farm one 
and a-half miles south, where he also located for 
another fourteen years. Selling this latter farm, he 
again settled upon the old homestead for a year, 
when he finally removed to the place where he 
now resides, although at present expecting to make 
his future permanent home in Linneus. 

Seven children of Father Bowyer have attained 
to maturity: William, our subject, is the eld- 
est; Richard E. is also in the livery business; 
John L. is clerking in Linneus; Emma E., Min- 
nie F., Benjamin F. and Nellie K. are all .at 
home. Father Bowyer and his estimable wife are 
both members of the Missionary Baptist Church, 
and belonged to the first church in Linneus. Po- 
litically, Thomas Bowyer is a strong Democrat 
and having held with efficiency various offices, has 
for the past four years ably discharged the duties 
of Justice of the Peace, and by his wise decisions 
given great satisfaction to the general public. Our 
subject, William Bowyer, named in honor of his 
distinguished grandfather, was reared and educated 
in Locust Creek Township, and having attained 
to mature years, entered into business with his fa- 



'% 








PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



181 



ther wben he was about twenty-five years of age. 
Upon October 16, 1889, Mr. Bowyer and Miss Ella 
Jones were united in marriage. Mrs. Bowyer is 
tiie daughter of Thomas Jones, a prominent gen- 
eral farmer and stock-raiser of Linn County, but 
who was a former resident of Oregon, in which 
State Mrs. Bowj-er was born. She was, however, 
reared and educated in Meadville, Linn County, 
and is a lad}- of intelligence and culture, possess- 
ing a large circle of sincere friends. 

Fraternally, Mr. Bowyer is a member of the 
Knights of P^'thias, and politically affiliates with 
the Democrats. In 1887, he bought out the firm 
of George W. Kelley and has since profitably con- 
ducted tlie liver}' business, carrying a full line of 
carriages and buggies and a variety of teams for 
the accommodation of the local and traveling pub- 
lic. A practical business man, genial in manner 
and courteous in address, our subieet has largely 
extended his trade and now enjoys a patronage 
second to none in the county. He is widely and 
favorably known and as the son and grandson of 
pioneer settlers commands the esteem and confi- 
dence of a host of old acquaintances. 



•i-^s^^H- y 



yj^ILLIAM COLLINS. Rarely does it fall to 
the lot of a biographer to speak of so ex- 
'^^ traordinary a man as the subject of this 
sketch, who though in his ninety-sixth year is in 
full possession of all his faculties, attends to all his 
business affairs, and never chewed or smoked, or 
drank a glass of whisky in his life. He has a snug 
little property acquired by his own industry, 
which he cares for with good judgment. For up- 
ward of sixt3-three 3'ears he has been a consistent 
and devoted member of the Baptist Church. The 
oldest living man in Clay County, he yet can walk 
about erect, mingle among his neighbors freel}', 
and is quite active. 

This prominent citizen of C'lay County is a res- 
ident of Liberty, and was born in Fayette County, 
Ky., nine miles east of Lexington, April 25, 1797, 



being the eldest son of Robert and Susannah 
(Coons) Collins. The father of our subject, and 
his mother also, was a native of Virginia, going to 
Kentucky with their respective parents when very 
young. Robert and his parents lived for a time 
in Ft. Brj'ant Station on account of the hostilitj' 
of the Indians. Arrived at maturity, Robert set- 
tled in Kentucky after his marriage, as stated 
above, and there remained until 1829, when he re- 
moved with his family to Clay County, Mo. Lo- 
cating on a farm of two hundred and forty acres, 
near Liberty, he improved and lived upon this 
place until his death, in July, 1855. His wife 
passed away in the next September. She was the 
daughter of Jacob Coons and the mother of nine 
children, five sons and four daughters, only two 
of whom survive, our subject and Simeon Collins. 
The latter is now in his eight3f-second j-ear, hav- 
ing been born in 1811, and resides upon a farm in 
Clay County. 

William Collins, our subject, passed his youth 
in his native county, where he attended school and 
worked upon the farm until he attained his major- 
ity. He was married in January, 1820, to Miss 
Sally White, of FXyette Count}^ Ky., a daughter 
of John White, of English descent. After his 
marriage, our subject settled upon a farm and then 
learned the trade of a cabinet-maker. The patient 
industrj- that has always marked his character 
doubtless comes down, in part at least, from his 
Welsh ancestors, but with all his industry the 
country about him did not offer enough for his 
wants, and, seeking a better home, he removed his 
family with horses and wagons to Clay County, 
Mo., in 1828, locating in the green woods and 
building a cabin for those he loved. Here he lived 
upwards of thirty years, in the meantime felling 
trees, removing stumps, and otherwise improving 
the place. 

At the outbreak of the Civil War, Mr. Collins 
broke up housekeeping, the wife of man}- j-ears 
having been taken away by death in June, 1859, 
so he made his home with his children. He and 
his wife were the parents of nine children, seven 
of whom lived to maturit}', as follows: John W., 
a merchant of Liberty; Mary E., Mrs. Joseph Big- 
gerstaff, who died in March, 1888; Eliza J., the 



182 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



widow of George L. Kirk, of this county; William 
E., who died in Texas while serving in the army 
as a Corporal near the close of the war; Susan F., 
who married John Parr, a farmer living in Clinton 
County, Mo.; Austin P., who died during the war 
in the Confederate army; and Pcrmelia, wife of 
Ellis Downing, who lives in Liberty. 

In politics, our subject was an old Henry Clay 
Whig, but cast his first vote for .James Monroe, be- 
fore the Whig party was organized. He voted for 
William Henry Harrison and his last Presidential 
vote was cast for Grover Cleveland. Our subject 
is strictl}' temperate, never pla^'ed cards in his life, 
never bet on horse races, nor, as above stated, 
smoked nor chewed nor drank in his life. He 
shaves himself every Wednesday and Saturday 
and hoes his own garden. For upwards of sixty 
years, or since 1829, he has been an influential 
member of the Baptist Church, in which his wife 
was also a faithful worshipper. 



-=^^->^^<l 



ANIEL H. TUCKER, now deceased, form- 
erly residing on section IC, township 51, 
range 29, is numbered among the honored 
and worthy pioneers of Ray Count}'. He 
was born October 21, 1816, in Kentucky, and was 
a son of .lames L., also of that State, who emigrated 
to Ray Count}' in 1834, where in addition to car- 
rying on a farm he engaged more or less in black- 
smithing. The educational advantages of our sub- 
ject were very limited, for his school days were 
passed in a new country, almost totally devoid of 
school privileges. He spent but a few weeks each 
year in one of the old-fashioned subscription 
schools. By his wise powers of reading and observa- 
tion he gained a practical knowledge, as was proven 
by his successful career in after life. AVhen twenty- 
one years of age he wedded Miss Millie Elliott, 
who was born November 21, 1820. Her father, 
John E. Elliott, a native of Louisiana, born March 
19, 1791, emigrated to this county in 1818, where 
he engaged in farming. His name is placed among 
the wortiiv pioneers .and earlv settlers of this re- 



gion. In political faith he was a Whig, and later 
a Republican. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. 
Tucker was celebrated November 10, 1836, and 
they at once commenced housekeeping in Orrick 
Township, in a log cabin near the present home- 
stead. This locality was then almost an unbroken 
wilderness, but is now one of the finest in the 
county. Their union was blessed with fourteen 
children, eleven of whom are living, married and 
respected citizens of Ray County. They are as 
follows: Mary E,, now Mrs. Stokes; James L.; Mar- 
tha E., wife of W. T. Gryder; Benjamin F.; Rena, 
wife of William Bryan; Millie, wife of John Pigg; 
Andrew E.; Daniel II.; Eliza A., wife of M. Wolf; 
Sarah Jane, wife of W. A. Hall; and AVilliam. In 
the possession of the family is an old photograph 
of the log cabin and the entire family, including 
an old colored man, recently deceased, and his 
aged mother, also now deceased, who were slaves 
of Mr. Tucker's father and remained on the old 
homestead after gaining their freedom. 

Many of the privations and hardships of frontier 
life came to Mr. and Mrs. Tucker, but with indom- 
itable will, pluck and energy they overcame all 
obstacles, and their old age was crowned with 
happiness. Mr. Tucker was a stanch Republican, 
loyal and true to its principles. HealHliated witii 
the Christian Church, in whose faith he lived and 
died. He was called to his final rest February 1, 
1892, and was buried under the auspices of Ada 
Lodge No. 444, A. F. & A. M., of Orrick, of which 
he was a member. His many friends and neigh- 
bors who had known him from the early days of 
his residence in this county deeply regret his loss 
and will ever hold him in loving remembrance 
and respect. 

Mrs. Tucker is yet quite active for one of her 
years and still makes her home on the old farm, 
residing with her youngest son, William, who, with 
his brother Daniel H., carries on the home farm. 
Mrs. Tucker has many interesting reminiscences 
of her life in the new West of other years, and is 
an interesting conversationalist. She relates how 
she formerly prepared, spun and wove the cloth 
for the garments of her entire family, both of 
wool and hemp. She also speaks of the times when 
her huslmnd used to "o to mill, taking a d.iy or 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



183 



two for the journey, and waiting for the slow 
grinding of liis grain b}' liorse power. Tliej- re- 
moved from tlie old log cabin to the present sub- 
stantial residence in 1849. 

The 3'oungest son of our subject, William, has 
been twice married, his first union being celebrated 
May 27, 1885, with Miss Mollie Turner, whose 
death occurred September 27, 1889. He wedded 
Miss Maude E. Miller February 27, 1892, who now 
assists her husband in his filial care and love for 
his aged mother, who has eleven living children, 
fifty-six grandchildren and thirteen great-grand- 
children. William Tucker is a member of Ada 
Lodge No. 444, of which he is now Senior Warden. 
His brother Daniel H. is also a member of the 
same lodge of the Free & Accepted Masons and 
is its present blaster. He is also interested in 
working the old farm but resides in his own home. 
Februarj' 12, 1880, he married Cora L.Hull, whose 
father, Milton Hull, was foimerlj' from Kentucky. 
Of their three children, but one, Elmer, is now liv- 
ing. Both of the brothers, William and Daniel, are 
members of the Christian Union Church, but the 
wife of the latter holds membership with the Bap- 
tist denomination. The families occupy a well-de- 
served place in the estimation of their many friends 
and neighbors wlio have known them from their 
childhood daj's. 



•^^1 



mmm 



\ ^^=^- 



TERLINC4 P. GALLE is the proprietor of 
the handsomely fitted up tonsorial parlors 
on Front Street, Orrick, Mo., where he has 
the patronage of the elile of the place and 
is doing a fine business in his line, paying particu- 
lar attention to the comfort of his customers, as 
well as to the quality of his work. A ladies' and 
children's department is not the least of his at- 
tractions, and owing to the fact that it is in the 
hands of polite and gentlemanly artists it is lib- 
eral I3' patronized. After starting this paying 
business, he soon saw the necessity of keeping a 
place where good short-order meals could be ob- 
tained, and on the Ctli of Jl.ay, 1892, he opened 



his well-known chop-house, over which his amia- 
ble wife presides, and where she can at all times be 
found to cater to the wants of the hungr}- traveler, 
as well as to the resident of the place. The cuisine 
is excellent and the best and freshest of ever^'thing 
in the market can be found upon the tables. Oys- 
ters are prepared in every style, delicacies of all 
kinds are to be found in their season, in fact, 
everj'thing that the most fastidious appetite can 
demand is prepared to order. Mrs. Galle is ad- 
mirabl}' fitted to be at the head of this department, 
for she is not onl^^ an excellent cook herself, but 
she possesses exceptional!}' good managerial abil- 
it}' and is not only courteous, kind and accommo- 
dating to her guests, but exercises the same traits 
among her domestics, with whom she is well liked 
and popular. 

Mr. Galle is a native of Ray Count}', Mo., his 
birth occurring November 3, 1860. He is a son of 
Peter and Susan (Batson) Galle, the former of 
whom was born in Maryland in 1826, his wife being 
his junior by a few years. The Galles and Batsons 
originally came from Pennsylvania. The union 
of Peter Galle resulted in the birth of the follow- 
ing children: Alice, Mrs. George Thomas; Ameri- 
cus, a resident of Lexington, Mo., who married 
Kate Duck; M. Filmore, who married Mollie Line- 
bach; Francis M., of Camden, Mo., who married 
Rosa Brown; Sterling P., the subject of this sketch; 
Mary Jane, wife of T. L. Cooper, of Camden, Mo.; 
and Adelbert, who is unmarried and a resident of 
Camden. 

The early opportunities for Sterling P. Galle to 
acquire an education were ver}' meagre indeed and 
at the earl}' age of sixteen years he became self- 
supporting. He was of an ambitious and enter- 
prising temperament and was ready and willing to 
work at any honorable employment that he could 
find, and for some time he was employed in a coal 
mine, where he turned many an honest penny. On 
the 9th of February, 1888, he was married to Miss 
Sarah, daughter of John and Mary Gee, of Cam- 
den, Mo., the former of whom was a Virginian, 
born May 10, 1832. He was killed by a runaway 
team when Mrs. Galle was but six weeks old, since 
which time Mrs. Gee has remained a widow. She is 
now residing in Kansas City. Mrs. Galle is the 



184 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



youngest of the following children that were born 
to this worthy couple: Warren is a resident of Ful- 
ton, Mo.; James II. is deceased; Ann; Nancy, Mrs. 
W. Corden, lives at Liberty Landing, Mo.; Robert 
resides in Camden; John also lives there; and Mis- 
souri, Mrs. Gibony, lives at Fulton. 

During an interval of leisure while working in 
the coal mine, Mr. Galle learned the trade of a 
barber and after his marriage he settled at Cam- 
den and beg.an following that occupation; he later 
pursued the s.anie in Kansas City and atastilllater 
period in Omaha, Neb., during which time he had 
every opportunity to become a skillful artist, and it 
can truly be said of him that he has not his super- 
ior in R.iy County. After coming to this section he 
worked for a short time for a Mr. Akers, then opened 
an establishment of his own,which he has conducted 
in a highly satisfactory manner ever since and has 
built up a patronage that is in every way deserved. 
By his untiring energy and close attention to bus- 
iness, he has placed himself among the successful 
business men of the town and is now reaping the 
reward of his efforts to please those who enter his 
establishment. He and his wife have one bright 
little daughter, Anna Lovica, who was born Feb- 
ruary 20, 1890. Politically, Mr. Galle is a Demo- 
crat. 



\OBERT HUGH MILLER. The subject of 
our sketch is a gentleman of a wide range 
iii\\\ of information and extended experience, 
\^ whose life for nearly forty years was de- 
voted to chronicling the events of the world for 
the instruction and advancement of the people. 
Mr. Miller was the founder of the Liberty Tribune, 
which he established in 1846 and edited continu- 
ously until 1886. He was born in Richmond, Va., 
November 27, 1826, being a son of John E. Miller, 
a planter of Scotch descent. The mother of our 
subject was Ma.ry A. T. (Rogers) Miller, born in 
Albemarle County, Va., daughter of Achilles and 
Msxry Rogers, and who died in 1865, in Pike 
County, Mo., in her seventy-first year. After her 
marri.agc and the death of her husband in ^'irg■inia, 



she removed with her family to Southern Ken- 
tucky and thence to Missouri in 1838, locating in 
Pike County. The^' were the parents of two chil- 
dren, Kobert II. and Edmund, the Latter of whom 
died in 1859, in Boone Count}', Mo. 

Robert H., our subject, passed his youth at Col- 
umbia, Mo., where he attended school. Going 
from the schoolroom to the printing-office, he ac- 
quired a practical knowledge of the art in the 
office of the Columbia Patriot, now the Statesman. 
Completing his trade, he came to Liberty in 1846, 
and with John B. Williams started the Tribune, 
the latter retiring at the end of a year, leaving Mr. 
Miller sole proprietor. The Tribune was started as 
a Whig paper, but after the extinction of that party 
drifted into the Democratic party and continued 
as such as long as he conducted it. Under his 
faithful management it attained a wide circula- 
tion and was noted for its plain statement of facts 
and its fearless vindication of the right, as well as 
for its denunciation of wrong. 

Mr. Miller w.as married June 27, 1846, to Miss 
Enna F. Peters, of Libert}', Mo., a daughter of John 
R. Peters, a noted pioneer of Missouri, born in 
Kentucky, and who died in July, 1 860, in the sixty - 
first year of his age. The father of .Mrs. Miller set- 
tled in Clay County upon a quarter-section of land 
near Liberty, and there he p.assed most of his days, 
dispensing a generous hospitality and winning the 
esteem of his fellow-citizens. He was a devout 
member of the Old Baptist Church, and in that 
earl J' day of no church buildings had stated 
preaching at his house until proper houses were 
prepared. 

Our subject married Miss Frances, daughter 
of Richard Simms, an old Revolutionary soldier 
who lived for many years in Clay County and 
finally died at the advanced age of one hundred 
and four years. This old gentleman was possessed 
of a kindl}' nature and a gentle courtesy that are 
not so often seen as in former times, when there 
w.as less rush for place and fortune. lie finally 
died of cancer. 

Mr. and Mrs. Miller have had four children born 
to them, namely: Belle, wife of J. J. Ktoogdale; 
Julia, wife of Edwin AVithers; Hugh, living at 
Kans.is City; and Irving, living at Pleasant Mill, 



PORTRAIT AND BKXSRAPfflCAL RECORD. 



185 



Cass County, Mo. Mrs. Miller died December 3, 
1867; .and Mr. Miller married again on the 3rd 
of May, 1871, the second wife being Louise Wilson, 
daugiiter of Jolin Wilson, of Platte City, Mo. 
The fruits of this union were five children, viz., 
Roy, Bessie, Ida, Clark and May. Mr. Miller's 
home pl.ace, a plat of twenty-two acres, lies within 
the city limits, the residence upon it being a sub- 
stantial brick, standing upon an eminence over- 
looking the city, the broad lawn being shaded by 
large, spreading forest trees. The location of the 
house is a very sightly one and its shelter affords 
a charming retreat and a happy resting-place for 
one, who, like Mr. Miller, has spent so many years 
in busy activity. 



flLLIAM O'NEILL, SK.,!in enterprising citi- 
zen and for a long time a leading business 
^ man of Linn County, Mo., has now retired 
from the active duties which formerly claimed his 
attention, and having amassed a comfortable com- 
petence, is quietly enjoying tlie fruits of a busy 
career and allowing himself the rest which he has 
well earned by mauj' years of energetic thrift and 
unvarying industrj'. Our subject was born in 
County Monaghan, Ulster, Ireland, December 24, 
1830, and is the direct descendant of the famous 
O'Neills who once reigned as kings in this portion 
of the Emerald Isle. It was manj' a decade before 
the power of the early chieftains was destroyed 
in Ireland, and the title was never merged in the 
crown of England until Edward the Fourth ascen- 
ded the throne. The parents of William O'Neill 
were highh' esteemed in their native land, where 
the father, also William O'Neill, passed away when 
our subject was but one year old. His mother, 
Catherine (Comiskey) O'Neill, surviving, he grew 
up under her care and was reared upon a farm and 
received a good common-school education in the 
excellent schools of his early home. 

At seventeen years of age Mr. O'Neill joined 
the Royal Irish Constabulary, in which he served 



three years. Shortly before attaining his majority 
our subject decided to try his fortune in the land 
beyond the sea, and in 1851 embarked for America. 
Arriving safe and sound in the United States, he 
spent a brief time in New York City, and from 
there went direct to Indiana, where he was en- 
ployed in the construction department of the 
New Albany & Salem Railroad. Mr. O'Neill 
also engaged in the construction of the Wabash 
Railroad, and later worked on the Illinois Central 
Railroad, making his home successively at Kanka- 
kee, Pana and La Salle. In July, 1861, he located 
in Linn County, and settled at St. Catharine, where 
he has since continued to reside. During the first 
few years our subject made his home here he was 
employed on the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad, 
but in 1866 erected a hotel, which he successfully 
conducted until 1879, when the house was de- 
stroyed by fire. For some time succeeding this 
calamity, he profitably engaged in the handling of 
live stock, and it was but a few years ago that 
he entirel}' relinquished his daily business cares. 
The excellent farm of two hundred acres owned 
by Mr. O'Neill is rented to tenants, and the in- 
vestments he has made in village property will 
later yield him large returns. Our subject was 
a young man when he entered into the bonds 
of wedlock, having upon February 14, 1851, been 
united in marriage with Miss Sophia Mitchell, an 
estimable lady and a devoted wife and mother, 
who after thirtj' -seven years of happy married life 
passed awaj- Februarj' 25, 1888. Since her death 
Mr. O'Neill resides with the family of his son, 
William, Jr. The one sister and seven brothers 
who clustered in the old homestead were, Thomas, 
now operator, station and express agent in St. Cath- 
arine; Williain, residing at St. Catharine; Patsey, 
train despatcher at Brookfield; John, a telegraph 
operator at St. Louis; Michael, also an operator in 
St. Louis; Edward, a station agent at Meadville, 
Mo. James, deceased, was formerly operator at Ma- 
con, Mo.; and Sophia passed away in early infancy. 
The surviving sons, who are all settled within 
easy distance of their father's home, were trained 
to habits of industry, and are self-reliant and 
enterprising citizens, widely known and liiglily 
respected. The O'Neills are all of the Roman 



186 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 




Catholic faith, and ably assist in the various 
good works and benevolent enterprises of that 
denomination. Our subject made a large acquaint- 
ance while in the hotel business and as a shipper 
of live stock, and was familiarly quoted as a man 
whose word was as good as his bond. In political 
affiliation, Mr. O'Neill has been for forty years a 
Democrat, and an ardent believer in the princi- 
ples and platform of the party founded by the emi- 
nent statesman, Thomas Jefferson. Prosperitj- 
speedily crowned the efforts of our subject in his 
adopted land, with all of whose institutions he is in 
full sympathy, and where for more than two-score 
years he has been numbered among the true and 
loyal citizens of the great American nation. 



-r^^-r 



\ NOCH II. MILLER, M. D., an able physi- 
ian and skillful surgeon, thoroughly versed 
jL-^ in the knowledge and duties of his arduous 
profession, enjoys an extended and'successful prac- 
tice in Liberty, Clay County, Mo., where he was 
born August 8,1861. His parents, Madison and 
Ann (Arlhflr) Miller, settled in Liberty when it 
was yet but a frontier town. The father, a native 
of Berkeley County, Va., and an energetic and en- 
terprising business man, was a merchant, firsthand- 
lino- dry goods upon his own account in his store 
in Wheeling, W. Va. He afterward engaged in 
the same business in Louisville, Ky., and later in 
connection with Mr. Middleton opened a dry- 
goods store where the Liberty Savings Associa- 
tion Building now stands. Father Miller was the 
first Mayor of Liberty and gave to the duties of 
the office earnest consideration, discharging the 
trust imposed in him with able efficiency, but af- 
terward positively refused to ever again accept of 
public office. He was one of the founders of 
William Jewell College and was officially identi- 
fied with the management of this excellent insti- 
tution of learning until his death. 

Madison Miller was one of the organizers of 
the Liberty Savings Association Bank, of which 
he became President. He was a charter member 



of Liberty Lodge, I. O. O. F., and rose step by 
step and occupied with honor and distinguished 
ability all the official positions from the subordi- 
nate to the Grand Lodge. Financially he was 
prospered and ranked among the capitalists of the 
State, and at his death in 1871 left to his wife and 
children a handsome inheritance, worthily Vpon b}^ 
intelligent industry and wise investments. Father 
Miller was a man of sterling integrity of character 
and in the early days before the establishment of 
the bank received from the surrounding commun- 
ity thousands of dollars wrapped in packages, 
which he deposited in a vault built in his store, 
and safely kept until called for by their several 
owners. His death was mourned as a public loss 
by the entire communities of Clay County. His 
wife, to whom he was married in 1841, was a na- 
tive of Lexington, Ky., and a daughter of Michael 
and Amanda Arthur, well-known residents of the 
latter State. Mrs. Miller survives her husband 
and is a most estimable lady, devoted to her chil- 
dren and beloved bj^ all who know her. 

Eight children blessed the home of the parents, 
but two little ones died in infancy, one having 
been drowned by a slave girl in the absence of 
the family. Six sons and daughters survived to 
adult age. Mary M., shortly after her marriage to 
Mr. Anderson, of New Orleans, became a widow and 
married Gen. Thomas Anderson, a brother of the 
first husband; but within six months Mrs. Anderson 
was a second time widowed. Michael A. Miller, an 
energetic and prosperous merchant of Kansas, 
has but recently' died. James M. is now Lieutenant- 
Commander in the United States Navy, stationed 
at Shanghai, China, and in charge of that post, 
lie spent six years of his life in the Military School 
at Annapolis, Md., and his wife was the daughter 
of a Paymaster of the United States Navy. Mat- 
tie Miller is the wife of Rev. W. S. Peace, a Bap- 
tist divine, located at Quincy, 111. Dora B. is the 
wife of John M. Newlee, a prominent druggist of 
Liberty. Our subject is a proficient and thorough 
scholar in the English, French, German, Latin and 
Greek languages and graduated with honor from 
William Jewell College. He began the study 
of medicine in 1871 with Dr. J. M. Allen, a lead- 
ing and liighly successful medical pr.ictitioner of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD. 



187 



Liberty, and in 1874 graduated from the Missouri 
Medical College, of St. Louis, winning honors in 
both the classes of chemistr^v and surgery. 

Owing to the death of his father Dr. Miller de- 
cided to locate near his widowed mother, and at 
the earnest solicitation of Dr. Allen, his early pre- 
ceptor, became an otiiee associate. Later engaging 
in practice for himself he has won a reputation for 
professional knowledge and skill second to none in 
the country. lie modestly ascribes his success to 
Dr. Allen, his preceptor and friend, under whose 
guidance he h.as achieved prosperity, and grate- 
fully says, "to Dr. Allen I owe ray success finan- 
cially and socially. He has been more than a fa- 
ther — when I had not a dollar, buying me a home, 
and giving me time in which to pay for it." No 
oi)portuntty to improve himself and keep fully 
abreast of the times has been lost by our subject, 
who graduated in 1884 from the Polyclinic Col- 
lege of New York, and attended courses of lec- 
tures in the New York Medical College in 1888 
and 1891. October 9, 1876, Dr Miller was united 
in marriage with Miss Belle Wymore, daughter of 
William W. Wymore, an accomplished and cul- 
tured lady, but who for ten years after her mar- 
riage was an invalid, patient, uncomplaining, yet 
constantly suffering. Her husband carried her 
from one resort to another but without perceptible 
benefit, and not until she endured a surgical oper- 
ation, performed by Dr. T. G. Thomas, of New 
York, did she fully recover her health. (She is 
now one of the brightest and most attractive 
ladies of Libert}' and is a valued member of the 
Chi'istian Church and an earnest worker in social 
and benevolent enterprises. 

Two children have blessed the pleasant home. 
.Tames Allen, named in honor of the family friend, 
Dr. Allen, was born August 11, 1878, and is a tal- 
ented lad, winning the first medal as a youthful 
orator in the Class of '92. The daughter Katie, 
born July 25, 1882, inherits the graces of her 
mother and is a winsome little lass. After the 
death of Father Miller the sons and daughters b}' 
agreement turned over to their mother the whole 
interest m the large estate left by their father, for 
Iier sole use during her lifetime. She educated 
two daughters and they reside together, Dr. Miller 



managing the property. The mother has lived 
since the death of her husband a very retired life 
in the old homestead, a handsome brick house in 
the city of Liberty. She owns the Arthur home- 
stead, which contains four hundred acres of excel- 
lent farming and stock land. Dr. Miller personally 
owns an attractive city residence and a fine fruit 
farm of forty acres near Randolph, Clay County. 
He has never desired political promotion but 
stands firm to the principles of true Democrac}'. 
His father was a "Onion Democrat" and both 
father and son agreed in loyalty to their country. 
Our subject is an honored member of County, 
State, District and National Medical Associations 
but belongs to no secret societ}-. Devoted to his 
family and the duties of his profession, he goes his 
rounds day aud night in storm and sunshine, and 
in ministering to the physical wants and suffer- 
ings of humanity is fulfilling the duties of a ca- 
reer distinguished by faithful fidelity and effi- 
ciency in his chosen work in life. As the family 
physician he has endeared himself to many a 
household and with his wife is held in high regard 
and loving remembrance by a host of friends. 



il^ ARVEY MARENESS is a leading farmer of 
if^il Fishing River Township, Cl.ay County, 
/^V^^ residing on section 36, where he owns one 
(^) hundred and ninety-seven acres of land 
and is at present feeding nearly two hundred head 
of cattle. He buys and sells stock of all kinds, 
having dealt in the same very extensively during 
the last year. 

Our subject is a son of Abraham Miltou and Ann 
Mareness, the former a native of Ohio, but the 
latter born, reared and educated in Louisiana. 
The father was a man who was held in the highest 
regard b}' all with whom became in contact. The 
mother was brought up in the doctrines of the Mis- 
sionary Baptist Church, to the principles of which 
she adheres strictly. Our subject is one of five 
children, of whom he is the youngest but one, his 
birth having occurred .Tanuary 8, 1852. He grew 
to manhood on his father's farm, engaged in the 



poutrait and BionRAriiicAL record. 



usual occupations of farmer lads, and obtained a 
common-school education. 

Our subject remained at home with his parents 
until in 1879, when he was united in marriage with 
Miss Olive Ann Pigg, of Ray County. On Oc- 
tober 3, 1888, after a short illness, the faithful wife 
and tender mother was called to the home beyond. 
She was a lady of Christian womanhood and of a 
lovable character, one who was supremelj' devoted 
to her home and children. By her marriage she 
became the mother of three sons: Lemar G., Will- 
iam Roy and George Ilarvcy. 

In Prathersville, Mo., August 5, 1885, Mr. 
Mareness was married to Miss Mattie King, a lad^' 
of uncommon intellect and natural talent. (See 
sketch of her family, which appears in the biogra- 
phy of Mrs. Richard King on another page of this 
work). As a farmer's wife she has shown good 
business ability and has accumulated a considerable 
bank account tlirough her own efforts. Being much 
interested in poiilti'y, she has made a specialty of 
that branch, and during the last year sold over 
130 worth of turkeys alone. During the latter 
part of the war she was very energetic, being a 
strong sympathizer with the Confederates and 
bushwhackers and melting up lead pipes to get ma- 
terial with which to mold bullets for the soldiers. 

Mr. Mareness is politicalh- a Third Party man, 
though formerly a Democrat. He is a man of 
thorough worth and sterling merit and has the re- 
spect and good wishes of a host of friends. 



-=l^+-^l 



'\f? OEL ELAM is a well-known farmer who 
makes his home on section 2, township 54, 
range 18, Chariton County. He was born 
in Prince Edward County, Va., August 13, 
1821, his parents being Joel and Susan (Biadley) 
Elam. The former was a soldier in the War of 
1812 and was also a native of Prince Edward 
County. After his marriage he followed various 
occupations, being both a farmer and doctor. His 
family comprised nine children, of whom the fol- 
lowing are living: Albert, a resident of Virginia, 
as is also his next younger brother, .lohn; tiur sub- 
ject; Elizabeth; Thomas; Mary and Ann Eliza, 



the last four all residents of Virginia. William, 
the eldest of the family, is deceased, and George, 
the fifth in order of birth, departed this life in 
1891. The father of these children passed away 
at his home in Virginia in 1876. His wife died 
soon after the close of the war. 

Our subject was reared to manhood in Prince Ed- 
ward Countj', where at about sixteen years of age 
he commenced learning the tailor's trade, at which 
calling he worked for four years in Virginia. 
The year 1843 witnessed his arrival in Jlissonri, 
he having emigrated Westward with the family of 
John Gilliam. He worked at his trade in Keytes- 
ville for two years, and for the same length of 
time engaged in cabinet-making. He then rented 
the old Davis place, on which he lived for a year, 
then making a permanent settlement on his pres- 
ent farm, which lie is still engaged in carrying on. 

In 1848 Mr. Elam wedded Miss Mary E. Brad- 
ley, who was a daughter of Jesse Bradley, an early 
and respected settler of Chariton County who em- 
igrated here from Virginia. Mrs. Elam died in 
1871, leaving one daughter, Mary Eliza, whose 
death occurred at the age of twenty-one years. In 
September, 1872, our subject married Mrs. Elvira 
Brown, daughter of Josiah Brightwell. She was 
born in Prince Edward County, Va., where slie 
was also first married. By that union she had 
three children, who are living: Ira, who is a resi- 
dent of Virginia, engaged in farming in his native 
county; Saninel, a miller of Gorin, Mo.; and Leola, 
wife of James O'Brien, who owns one hundred 
and ten acres in this township. 

Mr. Elam, who now owns one hundred and 
twenty acres of land, at one time was the possessor 
of four hundred acres, of which he has since dis- 
posed of a portion to good advantage. His pres- 
ent farm is well adapted to stock-raising and is 
thoroughly improved. On his farm are two fine 
springs and a deep well. At the time of his pur- 
chase there was upon the place only a log house, 
and but little improvement had been made upon 
the farm. This has been entirel}' transformed by 
his industry until it is now a model in every re- 
spect. Mr. Elam is a member of the Democracy, 
and is mimhered among the worthy citizens of the 
county. 





(yUAyfUi^^ ^ 



CiA^ 




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



191 



,J^ DAM K. REYBURN, President of the Ray 
WliM Coiintv Savino's Bank at Kiclnnond, is an 
ii energetic and public-spirited citizen, and 
has been a resident of Missouri from in- 
fancy, lie was born in Faj'ette County, Ky., Aug- 
ust 6, 1818, and is the son of Adam C. Rcyburn, 
wliose father was a farmer and stocli-raiser in Ken- 
tucky. The paternal grandfather of our subject 
was Lewis Reyburn, whose immediate ancestors 
were natives of "bonnie Scotland," but whohiniself 
was one of the very early settlers of Kentucky, and a 
participant in the dangers and privations of fron- 
tier life. His son, Adam C, was born in 1791, and 
was a carpenter by trade, but after locating in 
Missouri in 1819, engaged mostly in agricultural 
duties in Boone County. He lived to be ninety- 
six years of age, and died while on a visit to his 
sons in Hardin, Ray County. He was an earnest, 
conscientious man and a useful and upright citi- 
izen. 

The wife of this lionored pioneer was Elsie Kice, 
who was a native of Kentucky, and there married. 
This estimable lady was of German descent, and a 
loving wife and mother, looking well to the ways 
of her household. Sixty-one 3'ears had come and 
gone since she left her Kentucky home, when, in 
1880, she passed to her rest. Our subject is the 
second in a family of nine children, and early be- 
gan the struggle of life and self-reliantly has won 
his upward way. At fourteen years of age he en- 
tered a general store and clerked two years, after 
which he removed with his parents to Indian.tpo- 
lis,Ind.,and there made his home until 1839. About 
this latter date he returned to Missouri, and, set- 
tling in Lexington, engaged in manufacturing and 
wool-carding. 

November 9, 1843, Mr Reyburn was married to 
Miss Pamelia A. Griffen, a resident of Lexington, 
and a daughter of Berry G. Griffen, an old and 
highly resi)ected citizen. Our subject and liis wife 
removed from Lexington to Richmond in 1844, 
and made this latter city their place of residence 
until 1847, when they located upon a farm, which 
Mr. Reyburn has since prosperously' conducted. 
Aside from profitable general farming, he has been 
especially successful as a stock-raiser, handling 
some of the best horses and cattle in this part of 
9 



the State. In 1869 our subject assisted in organ- 
izing the Ray County Savings Bank, and having 
long been a prominent stock-holder was in 1889 
elected to the Presidency of this flourishing insti- 
tution, which under his able management has in- 
creased its business and secured a still firmer hold 
upon the confidence of its depositors. 

Mr. and Mrs. Rej'burn are the parents of six 
children, four sons and two daughters, all living. 
The father and mother are members of the Mis- 
sionary Baptist Church, in which our subject is a 
Deacon, and always foremost in the promotion of 
its benevolent and religious work. In political af- 
filiation he was in other da3's a Whig, and since 
the formation of the Republican party has been 
one of its strong adherents. In 1865 he- was ap- 
pointed Sheriff of Ray County, and in November, 
1866, was elected for another term. Taking a 
deep interest in local and national issues, he be- 
lieves that offices of trust should be held only by 
tried and true citizens. A resident of Missouri for 
almost his entire lifetime, our subject has been in- 
timately associated with the growth and progress 
of the State and county, and ever exerting his in- 
fluence in behalf of worthy enterprise and local ad- 
vancement, is known as a man of undoubted honor 
and integrity, to whom the public welfare is a 
matter of vital importance, and who may be ever 
found upon the side of right and justice. 



-^^- 



, RESTON T. AKER, the' popular and effi- 
cient Cashier of the Farmers' Bank at 
Smithville, is a young man of undoubted 
business ability- and high integrity of char- 
actej', and through his courteous manner and ex- 
cellent method of transacting financial matters has 
won for himself and the prosperous banking-house 
he represents a host of sincere friends, wiio largely 
contribute to the success of this flourishing insti- 
tution. Mr. Aker was born upon his father's 
farm, about three miles north of Smithville, in 
the year 1863, and is the youngest child of Mar- 
tin J. and Ann (Rollins) Aker, pioneer settlers 



192 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAnilCAL RECORD. 



and highly respected residents of Clay County. 
Our subject was educated in the district schools 
and the High School of Platte City. He also en- 
joyed a thorough course of instruction in East- 
man Business College, at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., 
graduating from that institution in February, 
1890. On his return from college, he located in 
Smithville, and was appointed Cashier of the 
Farmers' Bank, which was organized and estab- 
lished according to the laws of the Slate of Mis- 
souri, March 29, 1890. 

The officers of the Farmers' Bank are: John B. 
Woods, President; James R. Scott, Vice-president; 
and P. T. Aker, Cashier. The members of the 
Board of Directors are John Brooks, Martin J. 
Aker, Richardson Hulse, James R. Scott and John 
B. Woods. The paid-up capital of the bank is 
110,000. Tiie bank has the latest equipments and 
fine furnishings, and h.as one of the best burglar- 
proof safes in the countrj', it having been con- 
structed inside of a well-built vault, thus doubly 
insuring the safety of all money and valuables 
entrusted to its care. The rapid increase in busi- 
ness since the organization of the bank is ample 
proof of the excellent nian.agement of its officers 
and the high estimation in which this financial in- 
stitution is held bj'the general i)ublic. Political!}', 
our subject is an ardent Democrat, and is deeply 
interested in the local and national issues of the 
day. Able, active and intelligent, he enjoys the 
confidence and esteem of a host of friends, and at 
present holds the responsible position of Treas- 
urer of the Town Council. 

Although a young man and yet upon the 
threshold of a promising and prosiierous career in 
life, Mr. Aker exhibits the judgment usually the 
portion of older and more experienced men. Oc- 
cupied, as he is, with daily cares, he is also a social 
favorite and is one of the valued members of the 
Christian Church, being a liberal supporter in the 
extension of its good work, and is also foremost 
in the promotion of social, benevolent and relig- 
ious enterprises. Born almost within the limits of 
the town where he now resides, and where tlie 
happy days of boyhood were passed, he has been 
actively identified with the growth and progress 
of Smithville and its immediate vicinity, and no 



citizen within its borders takes a more abiding in- 
terest in local advancement than he. Thoroughly 
appreciating an education, and believing it the 
lever to elevate the masses, he is earnestly inter- 
ested in all that pertains to the welfare of the 
people, and is, all in all, a most liberal and pub- 
lic-spirited citizen. Mr. Aker was married Janu- 
uary 10, 1893, to Miss Florence J. Lee, of Mt. 
Carmel, 111., a daughter of William 11. Lee, a prom- 
inent citizen of the above-named place, and at 
present Superintendent of Schools of Wabash 
County, 111. 



\f/ UDGE SAMUEL A. WOLLORD. Much is 
I said and written about Southern hospital- 
,-^ ity, though the Southerners themselves claim 
^^l) that with the incoming of railroads and 
factories the old-time hospitality for which they 
have been noted is dying out. There are a few 
representatives of the old school, however, who 
still maintain the traditional customs, the house- 
wifes being as noted for the toothsome delicacies 
produced by their fair and skillful hands as of 
old. One of the families which keep up tiiis old- 
time lavish hospitality is that of the gentleman 
whose name is seen above, and of whom it is our 
pleasant privilege to here give a short biograph- 
ical sketch, Their establishment is conspicuous 
for the smoothness with which tlie domestic me- 
nage is conducted. Surely the dainty dishes that 
Mrs. WoUord prepares are mixed, as were the 
paints of that famous artist, with brains. 

Tiie AVollords are an old Southern family, who 
for many years were conspicuous in North Caro- 
lina, where our subject's father was born in 1801.' 
He left his native State at the age of sixteen and 
came to Missouri in company with a brother-in- 
law by wagon, cutting a path through the heavy 
timber as they came. They first stopped in Boone 
County, and John WoUord later proceeded West 
and pre-empted all of the section where our sub- 
ject now lives. He settled on the land and gave 
the town site where Richmond is now built. He 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



193 



was a noted hunter, and not only bears, deer and 
wolves fell before his never-erring shot, but elk 
and bnffalo. At that early day he lived in a log 
cabin until after Kichmond was platted, when he 
located a half-mile distant from the town, and 
improved a farm. He died in 1877, after a long 
and successful career as a farmer. He was a large 
slave-owner before the war. It is related of him 
that his only possession on starting out in life for 
himself was the buckskin suit in which he was 
married. He was a devoted Presbyterian, and at 
one time knew every man in the county. 

Our subject's mother bore the maiden name of 
Nancy Jane Lile, and was a native of Tennessee, 
coming hither with her parents at a very early 
day. She shared her husband's pioneer life until 
her sixty-sixth year and was the mother of four- 
teen children, all of whom lived to years of ma- 
turity, and of whom six still survive. Judge Wol- 
lord was the twelfth in order of birth in his 
parents' famil}^. He was born in the old log 
house which still stands on the homestead, and at- 
tended school in Richmond, and lived at home 
until twenty-two years of age. After the war and 
the freeing of the slaves, he was about his father's 
only dependence, and gave the whole wealth of 
his affection and attention to the care and inter- 
ests of his parents. In August, 1868, he removed 
to his present farm, which is located on section 
16, of Grape Grove Township. It was quite new 
when he came here, and he has made all the im- 
provements. He also gave a large amount of 
time and attention to the tract of land at Russell- 
ville which his father owned. 

Judge AVoUord was married April 16, 1868, to 
Miss Gertrude Groves, of Carroll County, this 
State, but who was reared in this county. She was 
a daughter of George W. and Mary E. Groves, of 
Virginia, who removed to La Fayette County at 
an early day, and there died. Mrs. Gertrude Wol- 
lord died, leaving her husband four children, viz: 
Mary V., Mrs. Charles E. Mansur; Clarence A., 
James M. and Nannie G. The second marriage 
of our subject united him with Miss Dora Young, 
of Ray County. She is a daughter of S. S. and 
C. C. Young, the former a native of Missouri and 
the latter of Tennessee. They have had five chil- 



dren: Samuel A., Reed C, Ura G., Jewell C. and 
Ward L. Mis. WoUord is a member of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Ciiurch South. 

In his political interests Judge Wollord is a 
Democrat, and is an active worker in the party. 
He was elected County Judge in the fall of 1883, 
and, after serving four years, was re-elected to 
the position and gave the best of satisfaction. He 
owns five hundred acres of land, most of which 
is in one body. He has been greatly interested 
in stock-raising, raising cattle, horses and mules. 
He was the first to introduce Galloway cattle in 
Ray County, and still keeps them for breeding 
purposes. His horses are, both as saddle and road- 
sters, of the finest breeds. 



LFRED L. BRALY, born in tiie pioneer 
days of Missouri, October 25, 1827, in a 
prairie home three miles cast of Liberty, 
Clay County, Mo., now resides upon an 
excellent farm located in township 52, range ,32, 
but in early life was employed by the Government 
to carry supplies to the outposts in tiie Rocky 
Mountains. Plnergetic, courageous and enterpris- 
ing, our subject was well adapted to the require- 
ments of the work entrusted to his faithful care. 
The parents of Alfred Braly were Joiin and 
Hannah (Ligget) Braly. The mother was a native 
of Virginia, and the father was born in either Ten- 
nessee or North Carolina. John Braly was reared 
upon a farm, but learned the trade of a saddler, 
and followed this occupation at various times 
throughout his life. He made saddles for each of 
his sons and for many of the neighbors while resid- 
ing in Clay County. Coming with his parents to 
Missouri in 1820, he settled at first in Howard 
County, and afterward marrying the mother of 
our subject, removed with his family a few j'ears 
later to Clay County. 

The sisters and brothers who gathered in the 
Missouri home were six in number, our subject be- 
ing the youngest son. One of the daughters, 
Alice, wife of M. C. Brown, yet survives and 



194 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



makes her home in Texas. The father not only 
bought land in Clay County, hut entered a tract 
from the Government and prosperously accumu- 
lated seven hundred acres of valuable real estate. 
He married a second time in Clay County, his wife 
being Mrs. Sarah (Coddingtou) Galoway. To Mr. 
and Mrs. Braly were born, Sarah, Mrs. John Clark; 
Alzira, wife of Robert Brown, and four other chil- 
dren, none of whom are living. John Braly was 
a brave and i)atriotic citizen, and while a young 
man in Tennessee, actively participated in the 
War of 1812. The paternal grandparents were 
John and Mary (Carson) Bral3', natives of North 
Carolina and among the vevy early pioneer set- 
tlers of Tennessee, afterward locating in Clay 
County, Mo., where they both died at a good old 
age. 

Alfred L. Braly, trained among the scenes of 
pioneer life, was a hardy, vigorous young man of 
twenty years when he made his first trip across the 
plains, as yet the abode of savage animals and the 
no less savage tribes of Indians. He was engaged 
one year in the service to which he was at first de- 
tailed, and then for two and a-half j'ears he with 
the rest of his company was mustered into service 
and met and defeated the Mexicans, near Las Ve- 
gas, N. M. In another expedition for the Gov- 
ernment, our subject made a second trip to Ft. 
Mann, and again, during the years 1846 and 1847, 
made two trips to the same fort, and in 1848 was 
one in the Government train sent to Santa Fe. In 
1849, Mr. Braly twice crossed the plains to Ft. 
Kearne}', and in 1850 himself fitted out an expedi- 
tion to go to California, and successfully accom- 
plished the journey in four months and three days. 

Remaining in the Golden State for three years, 
our subject successfully engaged in mining, and 
altliough he did not make a fortune, earned excel- 
lent wages, and returned home by land, accom- 
panied by his brother and a mutual friend. Previ- 
ous to embarking in this last enterprise, Mr. Braly 
had invested in forty acres of land, a part of his 
valuable homestead of one hundred and ninety- 
three acres, and in 1858 married Miss ISIary Howell, 
and with her made his residence in his i)resent home. 
His wife was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Har- 
rison Howell, early settlers of Missouri. The home 



of Mr. and Mrs. Braly has been blessed by the 
presence of eleven children, but one of whom died 
in infancy. The sons .and daughters are John H., 
Frank, William C; Laura, deceased; Cordia, wife 
of Frank Crow; Oscar, deceased; Mattie, Mary E., 
Susan and Harry D. Our subject and his esti- 
mable wife are members of the Baptist Church and 
are ever ready to assist in the good work of that 
religious denomination. Politically, Mr. Braly is 
a Democrat, and a firm believer in the party 
founded by the eminent statesman, Thomas Jeffer- 
son. Socially, Mr. and Mrs. Braly and their sons 
and daughters each and all in their several locali- 
ties command the respect and esteem of the various 
communities among whom tliey spend their useful 
and honored lives. Our subject is widely known 
as a truelj^ representative American citizen, of ster- 
ling integrity of character, earnest in thought and 
purpose, and is justly ranked among the army of 
pioneers who have so nobly aided in making our 
country great and prosperous. 



01 IN T. HAMILTON, M. D., was born 
within two miles of his present home on 
section 13, township 52, range 29, Ray 
County, the date of his birth being October 
11, 1856. He is an honored representative of a 
family which for man^' years has been closely con- 
nected with the progress of this portion of Mis- 
souri. His grandfather, Judge Thomas Hamilton, 
was born in Kentucky, where he grew to manhood 
and man-ied. In that State he followed the occu- 
pation of a distiller, but after removing to Mis- 
souri in 1825 he located on Government land in 
Raj' County and followed the calling of a farmer. 
He accumulated about three hundred acres, the 
greater' portion of which was improved during his 
lifetime. 

AVitli the i)ublic affairs of Ray County Judge 
Hamilton was closely identified. For two terms 
he served as Judge of the county, and held other 
olliccs of trust and honor. Prior to the Civil War 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



195 



he was a Wliig, but afterward joined the Demo- 
cratic part}', witli which he was ever afterward con- 
nected. He was a sincere and devoted member of 
the Presbyterian Cluircli and liberal in its sup- 
port. He passed from earth about 1867, his wife hav- 
ing died many years before. They reared a family 
of six sons and five daughters, of whom William 
C, father of our subject, was the second in order 
of birth. 

Born in Madison County, Ky., in hSKS, William 
C. Hamilton was brought to Missouri in his in- 
fancy, the journej- being made by his parents via 
the Mississippi River. He received his education 
iu the district schools of Raj' County and remained , 
at home with his parents until he reached the age 
of thirt}'. In establishing a home of his own, he mai*- 
ried Miss Elvira, daughter of Orville H. and Mary 
(Pattou) Searcy, natives of Tennessee. She was 
also born in that State, whence she was brought 
by her parents to Missouri when two years old. 
Her father was a farmer bj' occupation, and upon 
coming to Ray County followed his calling on a 
farm situated on the present site of the city of 
Richmond. 

After his marriage, AVilliam C. Hamilton pur- 
chased the farm which he still occupies and which 
then comprised one hundred and sixty acres. It 
has been added to until now two hundred acres 
are included iu the place, which has been placed 
under excellent tillage and embellished with sub- 
stantial buildings adapted to their varied uses. 
Mr. Hamilton, together with his wife, is identified 
with the Presbyterian Church, in which he is serv- 
ing as Elder. In his political connections, he is a 
Democrat and is a man of influence iu his com- 
munity. He and his estimable wife have reared 
four children, viz.: the subjectof this sketch; AVii- 
lis W., who is in the drug business at Hardin, Mo.; 
Elvira J., the wife of W. R, Patton, a farmer lo- 
cated near Richmond; and Minnie C. 

At about the age of eighteen, our subject com- 
menced to teach in the district schools of Ray 
County, and was thus omploj'ed for four j-ears. 
He then began the study of medicine with his 
uncle. Dr. H. B. Hamilton, of Elkhorn, and later 
entered the Missouri Medical College, of St. Louis, 
from which he was graduated in the spring of 



1882, after studying there for three .years. At 
once after completing the course, he came to his 
present location and took up the practice which 
had formerly been conducted by his uncle. At 
that time he was considerably in debt, but bj' en- 
ergy, pluck and good management, hehasnotonly 
paid his entire indebtedness, but is the possessor 
of a considerable amount of this world's goods. 

Jul}' 14, 1891, our subject was granted letters 
patent on a neck yoke clip, which he will 
probably soon sell at a handsome profit and which 
promises to do away with the old method of snap- 
ping the strap to the harness. He has a stock of 
drugs which he recently purchased, butli.asnot yet 
decided where he will place them for sale. In his 
political affiliations, he is a Democrat, and served 
as Postmaster at Crab Orchard during the first ad- 
ministration of President Cleveland. Socially, he 
is identified with the Masonic fraternity at Rich- 
mond and is influential in that order. 

The marriage of Dr. Hamilton, March 19, 1890, 
united him with Miss Mattie, daughter of Alex- 
ander and Nancy (Good) Gooch, of Orriek, Mo. 
Mrs. Hamilton was born in Ray County and was 
reared on her father's farm there, receiving a good 
education in the common schools, and under the 
careful training of her parents becoming fitted for 
the duties of after life. She is a devoted wife, 
and in the community is highly esteemed for her 
amiability and kindh' disposition. 



H. DONALDSON, a prosperous general 
agriculturist, and an extensive stock- 
'^^ \\\ raiser, devoting much of his time and at- 
^^ tention to the breeding of fine horses, cul- 
tivates a large farm of six hundred and sixty 
acres, and resides in township 52, range 31, section 
33, Liberty Townsliip, Clay County, Mo. The 
Donaldsons are of Irish ancestry, the paternal 
grandfather, John Donaldson, having been born in 
County Armagh, Ireland.. He was a brave, resolute 
man, and earlj' emigrated to America, and took an 
active part in the struggles of the rnitod States, 



196 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



engaging in the War of 1812 and serving with 
great gallantry as Colonel of a regiment. Our 
subject is the son of James D. and Patsy (Hall) 
Donaldson, and is one in a family of five children 
born unto the parents. 

The father, James Donaldson, was born in Ken- 
tucky, in 1797, and his good wife, also a native of 
Kentuck3', was born in 1791. Of their children 
James, born in 1822, died in 1854. Jane Elizabeth, 
born in 1824, passed away in infancy, dying in 
1824. AVilliam W., born in 1825, died in 1870. 
Our subject was born in 1828. Thomas R., born 
in 1830, died in 1880. Worthy J., the youngest 
of the family, was born in 1833. The father of 
these sons and daughters died in 1860, but his ex- 
cellent wife survived him fourteen years, passing 
away in 1874. Our subject received the advan- 
tages offered by tlie primitive schools of those 
early days, and when but six years old came in 
1834 with his parents to Clay County, Mo., and 
here was brought up with a knowledge of agricul- 
tural duties, and, following in the footsteps of his 
ancestors, has made farming the work of his life. 

P^nergetic and enterprising and withal intelli- 
gent and industrious, our subject prosi)ered and 
long ago amassed a comfortable competence, own- 
inf six hundred and sixty acres of valuable land, 
under a high state of improvement. His father 
gave to each of his children a one hundred and 
sixty acre farm, ensiu'ing to all his family a home- 
stead of their own. Mr. Donaldson was married, 
in 1855, to Miss Julia A. Brasfield, and he and his 
estimable wife became the parents of eight chil- 
dren. James F., the eldest, was born in 1855. Upon 
August 27, 1892, he was thrown out of a buggy, 
and to all appearance was not much injured, talk- 
ing rationally to a man standing near by, but 
from that da}' to this has never been heard of. 
Emma was born in July, 1857; Thomas E. in 
1859; Jefferson in 1860; Charles in 1863; Will- 
iam B. in 1866; Walter in 1868; and Mary, the 
youngest, was born in 1870. 

The sons and daughters who once clustered in 
the old homestead are among the honored and 
useful citizens of to-day and arc universally re- 
spected. Mr. and INIrs. Donaldson are active mem- 
bers and have long been connected with the 



Presbyterian Church. Our subject is a Democrat, 
and has always been an ardent advocate of the 
principles of the party. His father had also been 
an active Democrat, and was at one time Circuit 
Clerk of Bath County, Ky. Mr. Donaldson, as an 
old-time resident of this portion of the State, is 
widely known and b}' a life of sterling integrity 
has won the confidence and esteem of all his friends 
and neighbors 



— ir°- » ■ 



ON. WILLIAM G. GARTH, of Liberty, 
^ was born in Scott County, Kj'., near George- 
town, November 19, 1832. His ancestors 
^^ were prominently connected with the de- 
velopment of Virginia through several genera- 
tions, and his grandfather, John Garth, was a na- 
tive of the Old Dominion. He served in the Amer- 
ican army during the War of 1812, and some 
years afterward removed to Kentucky, where he 
engaged in farming pursuits. 

The father of our subject, Jefferson Garth, w.as 
born in Kentucky in 1803 and was reared to man- 
hood in the Blue Grass State. He married Miss 
Mary Ann Russell, who was born at Russell's 
Cave, Fayette County, Ky., in 1807, the daugh- 
ter of Robert Spotswood Russell. This family 
was of Scotch descent and was represented in Vir- 
ginia during Colonial days, some of its members re- 
moving from that State to Kentucky. The parents 
of our subject were married in Kentucky and in 
1835 removed thence to Missouri, where they lo- 
cated at Columbia, Boone County. The father 
w.as an honorable, upright man, a successful farmer, 
and public-spirited citizen. His death occurred 
in ]March, 1892, at the advanced age of eighty- 
nine, and throughout a wide section of coun- 
try it was recognized that his demise removed 
one to whose intelligence and energy much of its 
material progress might justly be attributed. His 
wife passed away in 1886. She was a member of 
the ChristK-in Church and a woman of deep relig- 
ious feeling. 

The third among eight children, of whom six 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



197 



still survive, William G. Garth was brought to 
Missouri by his parents when he was about tiuee 
years old. His boyhood years were uneventfully 
passed at Columbia, where the rudiments of his 
education were acquired in the common schools, 
and the knowledge he there gained was afterward 
supplemented b^- a four-j'ears course of study in 
the .State I'uiversity at Columbia. l>y nature dar- 
ing and adventurous, he was but a youth when 
he left school and went to the front in the Mexi- 
can War. A year later, when the discover^' of 
gold in California attracted to the Pacific Coast 
the Argonauts of ever}' land, he turned his steps 
Westward, He was one of the number who jour- 
neyed overland to the Golden State, and there he 
engaged in mining for two 3'ears, his efforts being 
rewarded with considerable success. 

Returning to Boone Count}', Mo., Capl. Garth 
(for by this title he is familiarly known) resided 
there until 1856, when he removed to Liberty, 
and has since made his home in this citj'. He has 
for years been extensively engaged as a dealer in 
horses, cattle and hogs, and has also superintended 
the management of his farms. He now owns 
about five hundred acres of land, most of which is 
in pasture, and is very valuable property. Since 
1888 he has to a large degree retired from active 
business operations, though his extensive interests 
still require considerable attention. 

In March, 1856, occurred the marriage of Will- 
iam G. Garth to Miss Kate Berry, of Libert3^ Mrs. 
Garth was born in Hopkins ville, Ky., the daugh- 
ter of John and Hannah (Collier) Berrj-, and when 
a child accompanied her parents to Libert}-, where 
she has since made her home. Her parents, al- 
though now deceased, still live in the hearts of 
their descendants, and are remembered with affec- 
tion by the citizens of Liberty, for their unpreten- 
tious, unassuming lives, their kindness to the sor- 
rowing, their generosity to the poor, and their 
cheerful courtesy to all, are as well known as 
their names. They are survived by two children: 
Mrs. Garth and Mrs. Chandler. 

Mr. and Mrs. Garth have one son, .John B. He 
is a prominent business man of Liberty and with 
his wife, formerly Miss Lillie Garth, of Kentucky, 
and their daughter Mary, resides with his |)arents 



in their pleasant home on Kansas Street. In their 
religious connections Mr. and Mrs. Garth are 
members of the Christian Church. Socially he is 
identified with the Masonic fraternity as a mem- 
ber of Liberty Lodge No. 15. 

In 1868 Capt. Garth was elected to represent his 
district in the State Legislature and served with 
efficiency for two years. In all matters of public 
import he holds definite and positive opinions and 
is a stanch adherent of the principles of the Dem- 
ocratic party. In every position to which he has 
been called, he has been true to his duties and 
faithful in their discharge. The financial prosper- 
ity which has rewarded his exertions, and the con- 
fidence of his fellow-citizens which is reposed in 
his honor, prove the possession of abilities of no 
common order. 



^^ 



^M C. DAVIDSON, a well-known enterpris- 
®lu\\ ing pioneer settler, prosperous general ag- 
riculturist and successful stock-raiser of 
Lil)erty Township, Clay County, Mo., has 
resided upon the fine farm lociited in township 51, 
range 32, section 15, for more than three-score 
years, and the history of his life is interwoven 
with the growth and progress of the State and 
county. The father of our subject was born in 
" bonnie Scotland " in 1752, and moved to Vir- 
ginia in his youth, and from there moved to Ken- 
tucky, where he was married. Our subject is the 
only surviving child of John and Rachel (Donald- 
son) Davidson, who were the father and mother 
of five children. 

John, the fatlier of our subject, was born in 
1752 and died in 1824, in Madison County, Ky. 
His parents emigrated to America when he was a 
little lad four years of age, and settled in Vir- 
ginia, where he passed the early years of child- 
hood. Having attained mature age he married a 
North Carolina lady, who, having shared his home 
many years, being a true helpmate, passed awav 
in 1852. John and his good wife were Old-school 
Presbyterians .and earnest Christian people. The 



198 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



father and grandfather of John Davidson's wife 
were both born in Ireland, but emigrating to this 
country, found ready employment as carpenters 
and builders. The grandfather built Ft Cooper 
in Kentucky, and her father constructed Ft. Don- 
aldson, also in Kentucky'. John Davidson, who 
had received a good common-school education, 
owned an excellent farm of one hundred and sixty 
acres, which he devoted to general agriculture and 
stock-raising. 

Our subject, A. C. Davidson, was born in Madi- 
son County, I\y., in 1821, and when he was ten 
j'ears old journe3'ed to Missouri with his mother, 
and settled with her upon a portion of the land 
which he now owns. In 1831, the date of their 
arrival, the surrounding country was almost a 
wilderness, few farms then being located in the 
county. Our subject attended the little subscrip- 
tion school held in the primitive log schoolliouse, 
and .assisted in the labors of the farm and was soon 
able to do the work of a man. In the year 1860 
Mr. Davidson was united in marriage with Miss 
Sallie Chandler, who was born in Clay County, 
Mo., in 1834. Mrs. Davidson's fatheiifought in 
the War of 1812, and his wife, who yet survives, 
draws a pension and resides with Mr. Davidson. 
Our subject owns a valuable tract of land com- 
prising about sixteen hundred and sixty-five acres, 
much of it under a high state of cultivation, and 
nearly all of it arable soil. 

Ever^'thing about the extensive farm of Mr. 
Davidson denotes prosperity, and aside from the 
pursuit of general agriculture, he devotes much 
time to the raising of exceptionally good hor.ses. 
The comfortable and commodious home upon the 
old homestead h.as been brightened by the birth 
and presence of three children, but two of the lit- 
tle ones died in infancy. John, Jr., the onlj^ liv- 
ing child, was born in 1864, and still remains at 
home. Our subject takes an abiding interest in 
politics and is well posted upon local and national 
issues. He is a Democrat and a firm supporter of 
the principles of the party. Mr. Davidson is widely 
known as a man of sterling integrity of character, 
and as an earnest, energetic and upright citizen is 
highly esteemed by the entire community among 
whom he has grown from 3'outii to early man- 



hood, then to middle age, and now, having at- 
tained the age of seventy-two years, enjoys the 
fruits of a useful and well-spent life. The wife of 
our subject departed this life at their home 
January 18, 1882, leaving a host of friends and re- 
latives to mourn her loss. 



-^1= 



'RANCIS I. TINGLING is the owner of a 
neat farm in Giape Grove Township, Eay 
County, which is conspicuous for its ex- 
cellent improvements. Mr. Tingling was born in 
Carroll County, Md., October 4, 1825. His father, 
John Tingling, who was of German descent, was 
an old settler in Maryland, and engaged all his 
life as a farmer. He lived to an advanced age, 
and died in his native State. Our subject's mother, 
known in maidenhood as Miss Rosa Arthur, at- 
tained to an advanced .age. She was the mother 
of nine children, seven of whom are living, and 
of these our subject is the sixth in order of birth. 
He was reared on his father's farm until eighteen 
years of age, and was sent to the subscription 
schools of that day, the school terms being limited 
to three months in the winter. 

At the age of eighteen our subject began to 
learn the carpenter's trade, and followed it for 
twelve years, after having served his apprentice- 
ship. In 1851 he came to Missouri and located at 
Lexington, where at first he was employed at car- 
penter work, and then took up cabinet-making, 
which he followed for five years. In 1856 he 
came to Richmond and engaged in the furniture, 
selling the products of his own manufacture. In 
1859 he sold out his furniture interests, returned 
to Lexington and worked at his trade. In 1861 
he returned to Richmond, subsequently locating 
near the town and following fai-ming until 1874, 
when he came to Grape Grove Township and pur- 
chased one hundred and sixty acres of land on 
section 16. That country was new and wild, but 
the land which he purchased w.as partially im- 
proved. 

Our subject was first married March 22, 1853, 




/yf^:/-uAJ^ J^yuMf- 




a. 




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



201 



to Martha E. Dudrera, a native of Maryland. 
She died April 29, 1855, leaving one child, George 
W., who is now a farmer in this count}'. On Oc- 
tober 30 of the following year, Mr. Yingling mar- 
ried Mary J. Patton, who died February 2, 1862, 
leaving four children, onlj' one of whom is living, 
namely, Jefferson D., who resides in Hardin. Bj' 
Mr. Yingling's third marriage he was united with 
Caroline T. Haines, December 10, 1863. This 
union was blessed by the advent of two children: 
Rosinda A., who is at home; and Sarah F.,who is 
the wife of Joiin A. Petree, a farmer in this local- 
ity. 

The original of this sketch favors the policy of 
the Democratic i)art}', to which he gives the weight 
of his influence and vote. His wife is a member 
of the Presbyterian Church, while he belongs to 
the Methodist Episcopal Church South, in which 
he has been a Steward for several years. His farm 
now comprises one hundred and sixty acres of 
good land, which he has embellished with build- 
ings adapted to their various purposes, and sub- 
stantial in construction. 



ZAZA DOA\'ELL RALPH, a prosjierous agri- 
culturist and successful stock-raiser and 
miller, is one of the most prominent and 
influential citizens of Richmond. Our subject was 
born in Camden Townshi)), near Bluffton, the old 
county seat of Ra}^ Count}-, November 27, 1830. 
His father. Dr. Arthur 15. Ralph, a native of North 
Carolina, settled in Ray County in 1829, and suc- 
cessfully devoted himself to the practice of medi- 
cine. During those early days, he had almost the 
entire county for his field of work, and at the same 
period engaged in the duties of agriculture. After 
a long life of usefulness he died, deeply regretted 
by all who knew him, at the residence of his 
daughter, Mrs. Dr. Campbell, at Columbia, Mo. 

The paternal grandfather of our subject was a 
native of England who made his home in America 
in North Carolina. The mother of Zaza Dowell 



Ralph was Mary Brasher, who soon after her mar- 
riage removed with her husband to Ray County. 
She was a daughter of Zaza Dowell Brsisher and 
was of Scotch-Irish descent. She passed away in 
1872 and is remembered as a loving wife and 
mother. Our subject was one in a family of seven 
children, three sons and four daughters, of whom 
five are yet living. Zaza D. is the eldest of the 
surviving children and was reared upon a farm 
near Camden. He attended the private schools, 
and remained with his parents until he reached his 
twentieth year, when he began life for himself and 
was married to Miss Martha A. Simpson. This 
estimable and attractive lady was the daugliter of 
Jesse B. Simpson, an early settler of Ray County. 
Her mother died in Virginia when she was only 
two j'ears old, and shortly afterward she was 
brought by her father from that State to Missouri. 
Mr. and Mrs. Ralph located on a farm, where our 
subject entered with energy into the duties of gen- 
eral agriculture and stock-raising, profitably deal- 
ing in cattle, mules and hogs. An opportunitj- 
offering, he bought the dowry of the widow of 
the late Larken Stanley, consisting of two hundred 
and five acres of land, to which he added after- 
ward enough moi'c to make it one thousand acres, 
all'in one body. This valuable property is under- 
laid with an extensive coal deposit of superior 
quality. Mr. Ralph profitably disposed of this 
tract of land, realizing handsomel}' upon the 
venture and retaining two hundred and twent}-- 
seven acres, which he now owns. He activelj- en- 
gaged in farming until November, 1888, when he 
removed to Richmond, and having purchased fif- 
teen acres cast of the main part of the town, lo- 
cated in his pleasant home, one of the most attract- 
ive in the city. The handsome residence is of 
frame, finely shaded by native forest trees, oaks, 
elms and hard maples, whose luxuriant foliage is 
during the spring and summer months a mass of 
waving green. The valuable property is situated 
upon an elevated plain, commanding an excellent 
view of the city and the country surrounding 
Richmond. In this delightful home Mr. Ralph, 
after a life of busy industry, enjoys a well-earned 
rest, and having achieved prosperity shares it lib- 
erally with others and is widely known as a pub- 



202 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



lie-spirited citizen, every read}' to aid in all wor- 
th j' enterprises, whether social, benevolent or relig- 
ious. 

j\Ir. and Mrs. Ralph are tlie parents of seven 
children, one son and six daughters. Mary is the 
wife of James Findly, a merchant of Camden; 
Jesse B. is a farmer and resides upon the old 
homestead; Ella A. married Frank Adairand resides 
on a farm near Orrick; Lucy is the wife of James 
Kirkpatrick, a successful teacher and agriculturist; 
Fannie, Zula D. and Laura E. are all at home. The 
children have had the benefit of good educations. 
Our subject and his wife are prominent members 
of the Christian Church, of which Mr. Ralph was 
for many years a Deacon. Tliey have always been 
active in the social and religious work of then- 
church and have assisted in all matters pertaining 
to the best interests of the community. Our sub- 
ject has been a most important factor in local 
progress and improvement. Never a politician or 
ottice-seeker, he has in common with all true Amer- 
ican citizens ever taken a deep interest in national 
and local issues and is a strong advocate of the 
principles and platform of the Democratic party, 
whose immortal founder, Thomas Jefferson, so 
amply demonstrated to be "the part}' of the peo- 
ple. ' ' 



THOMAS DUDLEY BOGIE, the able editor 
and proprietor of the well-known and pop- 
^^^^ ular Democrat, published at Richmond, Mo., 
IS an energetic and enterprising man, thoroughl}' 
at home in all the details of newspaper work. Our 
subject is a native Kentuckian, and was born Au- 
gust 26, 1838, near Richmond, Madison County. 
His father, an honest, hard-working man, early 
trained his son in agi'icultural duties, and needing 
his assistance upon tlie farm, gave him but little 
time for instruction or recreation. Mr. Bogie en- 
joyed but limited advantages for an education, liis 
terra of stud}' being confined to the three winter 
months, when lie attended the subscription schools 
lield in the little log iiouse near his father's home- 



stead. Only the rudiments of an English educa- 
tion were obtainable in those primitive days, but 
our subject well improved his precious moments 
and attained early manhood an earnest, indus- 
trious and self-reliant citizen. 

Mr. Bogie acconi|)anied his father to Missouri in 
1859, and found read}' employment in a leading 
dry-goods store of Randolph County. Ever cour- 
teous and diligent in the business transactions of 
each day, his services were valued, and he remained 
a trusted employe of this mercantile firm fully 
seven years. lie then decided to fcarn the printer's 
trade, and served an apprenticeship at the case. In 
18G9 he connected himself with the Herald, at 
Huntsville, and soon after acquired by purchase 
the full control of the paper, which he prosperously 
conducted a half-score of years, when he sold out 
his interest and bought the Democrat at Richmond, 
Mo. For five years our subject ran the paper suc- 
cessfully, and then on account of the failing health 
of his wife, sold the office and went to Carthage, 
Mo., where he established the Jasper County Demo- 
crat, which he disposed of two years later, and after- 
ward spent a year in Texas. 

Failing health caused the return of Mr. Bogie 
to Missouri, and in 1887 he re-purchased the Rich- 
mond Democrat, ■w\\\c\\ under his excellent manage- 
ment and editorial guidance has rapidly extended 
its circulation throughout the county and various 
other portions of the State. The paper is 28x44, 
a nine-column folio, and is ty[)Ographically attrac- 
tive, the work being neatly and carefully done, and 
printed in the home office by a steam press. The 
Democrat is issued every Thursday, and is in every 
sense of the word Democratic in politics. During 
the troublous times of the Civil War, Mr. Bogie 
enlisted in the service of the Government in the 
Forty-sixth Missouri Infantry. The company to 
which he belonged did detached service, and for 
two years endured in behalf of national existence 
a life of exposure to privations, and the constant 
danger of the prison pen or sudden death upon the 
battle-field. 

Upon December 8, 1863, Mr. Bogie was united 
in marriage with Dorothy Virgin iaJIaughas, daugh- 
ter of Dr. M. M. Maugh.as, of Callaway County. 
Mr. and Mrs. Bogie are the parents of three sons, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



203 



namely: Dudley T., a grocer; Mord M., a lawyer 
in St. Louis; and Rector S., assisting his father 
on the paper, and also editor of the Richmond 
daily Democrat. Our subject is a member of the 
Christian Church, and has frequently served as 
Sunday-school Superintendent. He also belongs 
to the Masonic fraternity and the Ancient Order 
of United Workmen, and as a citizen is highly es- 
teemed for liis business ability and iiis unswerving 
integrity of cliaracter. 



ON. CHARLES J. HUGHES, who has most 
ably represented his constituents in the 
State Legislature for a number of terms, 
and who has filled various high positions 
of trust with etlicient fidelity, was born in Bour- 
bon County, Ky., near Paris, June 27, 1822, but 
has been an honored resident of Missouri since 
childhood and has made his home in Richmond 
for many years. His father was a native of Vir- 
ginia, and was born in Culpeper County, remov- 
ing to Kentucky with his parents when only seven 
years old. In this latter State attaining his ma- 
jority', be was united in marriage with ISIiss Lucy 
Neal, a daughter of John Neal, a resident of Fau- 
quier County, Ya., at the time of the birth of Mrs. 
Hughes, but who quite early removed with his 
family to Bourbon County, Ky. The Neals were 
of English and French descent, and Grandfather 
Ralph Hughes was of Scotch and Welsh extrac- 
tion. The Hugheses emigrated to America before 
the Revolutionary War, and have ever been among 
the useful and law-abiding citizens of our great 
republic. 

The Hon. Charles J. Hughes was the fifth child 
in a family of nine brothers and sisters. The sons 
and (laughters were Margaret, Jolin Neal, William 
R., Catherine, Tl'.omas Jefferson, Henrj' F., Charles 
J. (our suiiject), Laura II. and Julius Colman; and 
of the boys and girls who once clustered an un- 
broken l)and around the family table but three 
now survive. The youth of oiu- subject was passed 
in Columbia, Boone Count}', Mo., where he at- 



tended a private school, conducted bv a fine 
scholar and experienced teacher, Robert S. Thomp- 
son, a Baptist minister, who was afterward Profes- 
sor of Languages in the State ITniversit}', at 
Columbia. After leaving school, Mr. Hughes was 
variously employed, and read law with John B. 
Gordon, a noted lawyer of Columbia, and was 
admitted to the Bar in 1843, and iramediatel}' en- 
tered upon the practice of his profession in Cald- 
well, Mo., where he remained busily engaged in 
active legal duties until the breaking out of the 
Civil War. 

In 1863, our subject removed with his family to 
Richmond, and, with the exception of eighteen 
months when he was in Kansas City, has here 
made his permanent home for thirty j-ears. Re- 
suming the practice of law in Richmond, Mr. 
Hughes prosperously won his U|)ward way, and 
was made Judge of the Common Pleas Court, 
which elective appointment he continued to hold 
until his election to the Bencli as Judge of the 
Probate Court, for a term of four years. He dis- 
charged the duties of this responsible position 
with great efficiency, was re-elected, and for twelve 
continuous j'ears retained his honored office, and 
then, retiring from the judgeship, industriously 
entered again into the practice of law. It was 
while residing in Caldwell County that he was 
elected to the Legislature four times from Caldwell 
Count}' on the Democratic ticket. Ably sustaining 
the wishes of his constituents, Hon. Charles J. 
Hughes was a popular member of the House 
and was appointed upon important committees. 
He was at one time Chairman of the Committee 
on Claims, and distinguished himself as Chairman 
of the Committee on Federal Relations. While 
not in office he has been engaged in the practice 
of law. 

Our subject took an active part in having the 
five hundred thousand acres of land set apart and 
applied for educational purposes, and also voted 
for the twenty-five per cent. State tax for common 
school use, and has ever demonstrated himself a 
friend of progress and educational advancement. 
He was united in marriage with Miss Serena 
Pollard, of Ray Count}', Mo., in June, IHoO. 
Mrs. Hughes is a daughter of Hon. William C. Pol- 



204 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



lard, an old-time resident of Jiay County, where 
his family were born and educated. He represented 
the country two terms in the Legislature of Mis- 
souri, and was a Captain in Col. Gentry's regiment 
in the Florida war. The maternal grandfather of 
Mrs. Hughes was Samuel Arbuckle, a man of 
abilit}' and worth, and a prominent and influential 
citizen. Our subject and his estimable wife are 
the parents of six children, three sons and three 
daughters. Charles J., Jr., is a lawyer of Denver, 
Colo., and recognized as specially able as a mining 
attorney; William P. was the second-born; Mar- 
garet is the wife of G. A. Carlston, a merchant of 
Richmond; Lucy married Samuel Keller, editor of 
the Cyclone, published in Riolimond, Mo.; John A. 
lives in Kansas City, a grocer; and Edna resides at 
home. 

The hap))y home of Mr. and Mrs. Hughes is lo- 
cated upon College Street, and is the abode of 
hospitality, the parents and their family possessing 
a host of friends tried and true. Our subject and 
his wife arc members of the Christian Church, and 
have ever been foremost in the support of that re- 
ligious organization, and are known as generous 
contributors in behalf of benevolent work. Mr. 
Hughes has always been a strong Democrat, and is 
a valued adviser in local affairs, and in all matters 
concerning the progress and improvement of his 
home and county is a ready and most efficient aid, 
and is widely known as a man of enterprise and a 
public-spirited and true citizen. 



■ « pJ9~ 



^^ 



W;.YATT CRAVEN. In the twilight of his 
honored and useful life, the subject of this 
sketch is passing his time quietly at his 
home in Ray County. For a long period he has 
been identified with the interests of the community 
where he resides, and during his more active years 
was widely known as one of the most enterprising 
and successful farmers of township .52, range 29. 
Through industry and good management, he be- 
came the owner of four hundred and fifty acres, 
most of which were pl.iced under splendid improve- 



ment, but he has divided his propei-ty among his 
children and only retains sutticient to insure his 
comfortable support. 

Mr. Craven was born in Campbell County, 
Tenn., September 7, 1812. His ancestors were 
among the early settlers of North Carolina, where 
Joseph Craven, our subject's grandfathet, was born. 
He was reared on a farm, receiving a meagre edu- 
cation, and in his early manhood married Miss 
Lydia, daughter of Joshua Hancock. In about 
1808, he removed from Randolph County, N. C, 
to Missouri, and later located in Campbell Countj^ 
Tenn., with the early history of which he became 
identified. His death occurred in Overton County, 
Tenn., when he had reached an advanced age. 

Richard Craven, the father of our subject, was 
born in Randolph County, N. C, January 19, 1776, 
and spent his time in his boyhood principally in 
farming pursuits, his educational advantages being 
very limited. In 1797 he married Miss Elizabeth 
C. Rains, a native of tlie same county as himself, 
and born May 22, 1775. Unto them were born 
eleven children, nine sons and two daughters, all 
of whom reached mature years. Of the number, 
two alone survive, namely: Wyatt and Lj'dia, the 
latter being the wife of John L. Campbell. The 
others were Joseph; Joshua and John, twins; Bar- 
nabas; Solomon and David, twins; Franklin; Sarah, 
Mrs. James Kincaid; and Andrew J. 

During the Indian outbreak of 1814 Richard Cra- 
ven enlisted for service and started for the field 
of battle, but before his arrival the trouble sub- 
sided and he was discharged without active ser- 
vice. In 1830, accompanied bj^ his family, he 
came to Ray County, Mo., and purchased one hun- 
dred and sixty acres of land in the vicinity of the 
farm now owned by our subject. The journey' 
was made with teams, and on their arrival here 
the}- found a small log cabin on the farm — almost 
the only improvement the place could boast of, for 
the land was wild and scarcelj' a furrow had been 
turned in the soil. The cabin was of the rudest 
and most primitive nature, but, such as it was, it 
served as a shelter for fourteen people during the 
winter of 1830-31. Their early experience in 
the new country, remote from other settlers, was 
not an enviable one. They subsisted on corn 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



205 



bread and such game as could be obtained, while 
on Sunday nioining they enjoyed the great luxury 
of biscuits for breakfast. The father and mother 
had a bed raadt on rough poles inserted in the 
walls, and the others slept on the floor. 

Amid many discouragements tlie family labored 
to secure the improvement of the farm, and in the 
end their efforts were rewarded with success. The 
property was increased to two hundred acres, of 
which forty acres were entered from the Govern- 
ment. The rude log cabin was replaced by a com- 
modious residence, in which the father closed his 
eyes in death in 1849. His wife survived him a 
few years, her demise occurring in 1856. They 
were highly respected throughout this community, 
where their memory still lives in theheartsof their 
descendants and of the other pioneers who have 
survived them. Politicall}', tiie father was a Jef- 
ferson ian Democrat and at all times possessed the 
courage of his convictions. 

In the district schools of Tennessee and Ray 
County our subject received his education, which 
was limited to the knowledge to be gained from a 
few textbooks of an inferior kind. The "temples 
of learning" in those early da3's were not massive 
structures of brick and stone, but were made of 
split logs and had puncheon floors. On one side 
of the room was the fireplace, built in a most un- 
gainly fashion, while light was admitted througli 
an aperture between two logs. The pupils did not 
enjoy the luxury of desks, but sat on rude benches, 
and in the midst of these uncomfortable surround- 
ings gained their knowledge of the "three R's." 

November 21, 1858, occurred the marriage of 
Mr. Craven to Mrs. Olivia C. Brooks, a daughter 
of Richard and Celia (Shelton) Nowlm, natives of 
Virginia, but early settlers of Kentuckj'. She was 
born in the Blue Grass State and in her young 
womanhood married Young D. Brooks, by that 
union becoming the mother of four children: Celia 
A., who married Wyatt Craven, a nephew of our 
subject; Mary S., deceased; Thomas J.; and Amanda 
C, the wife of James Hill. Mr. and Mrs. Craven 
have been the parents of three children, one of 
whom, Richard W., is deceased. The others are 
Olive Z., wife of .Tohu Isle^-; and Bryan Ward. 
The wife and mother was called hence iu 1884, 



leaving a void in the hearts of those who held her 
dear that can never be filled. 

At the time of our subject's marriage, he pur- 
chased seventy' acres where he now lives, and to 
the original purchase he added until he became 
the owner of four hundred and fifty acres. Polit- 
ically, he is a Democrat, loyal to the principles of 
his party. During the Mormon War of 1838, Mr. 
Craven enlisted for service and was mustered into 
Capt. Beauregard's compan3'. About twelve miles 
from home he was taken prisoner, after having 
been wounded by a gunshot, and was carried eight 
miles distant, then given his liberty. A man had 
been stationed to shoot him and followed orders, 
but tlie bullet did not prove fatal, although it 
lodged in his hip and inflicted a painful wound. 
Take it all in all, Mr. Craven has met with man^' 
varied experiences during his eventful life, and de- 
serves the esteem in which he is held as a prom- 
inent citizen of Ray County*. 



-m- 



^^ HARLES A. BURNS. A good judge of 
fl( _ horses and an appreciative admirer of that 
^^^ noble animal, our subject has a peculiar 
fitness for the business in which he is engaged, 
that of conducting a first-class livery, feed and 
sale stable at Richmond, Mo. He was born in 
Lawrence County, Pa., September 6, 1857, being 
the eldest son of Agnew and Elizabeth (Hezlep) 
Burns, both natives of Penns^'lvania. His parents 
came to Ray County, Mo., in the fall of 1867, 
bringing him witii them, and located on a farm 
three miles west of Richmond, where the father 
died in 1874, in the forty-fourth year of his age. 
The latter was of Scotch-Irish descent and was a 
man of industrious habits and a good farmer. 
The mother is still living, in the southwestern 
part of Kansas, and is a daughter of John Ilezlej), 
of Irish descent. 

Our subject is one of nine children, five boys 
and four girls, seven of whom are living. His 
life was spent at home upon the farm until he was 
twenty-one years of age. His father having died 



206 



POilTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



when he was but fourteen, Charles remained with 
his mother, getting the benefit of instruction in 
the district schools from the time of his reaching 
the school age. Upon attaining his majority he 
removed to Kansas, and settled at Blue Rapids, in 
Marshall County, where he owned a livery stable 
for four years, and then he shipped his stock to 
Richmond, where he opened a livery, feed and 
sale stable, which he has conducted ever since, 
and now has from sixteen to twenty horses en- 
gaged in his business. 

Mr. Burns was married in 1877 to Miss Nannie 
vSmith, who was born and reared in Ray County, 
the daughter of Pe3-ton T. and Lucy Smith. Mr. and 
Mrs. Burns have had no children born to them. 
Mr. Burns owns a good farm of eighty acres, well 
improved and with fertile soil, in Richmond 
Township, and while living out upon it served 
twice as Supervisor. He is a member of Richmond 
Lodge No. 57, A. F. & A. M.; of Richmond 
Chapter No. 36, R. A. M.; and Richmond Com- 
mandery, K. T.; also a member of Richmond Lodge 
No. 208, I. O. O. F. While not taking as promi- 
nent and active a part as many in politics, Mr. 
Burns is none the less interested in such matters, 
and holds strong oi)inions, being a straight Dem- 
ocrat. 






>i7 EWIS B. DOUGHERTY, Cashier of the 
I (^ Commercial Savings Bank at Liberty, has 
JLj^ been a resident of this place since child- 
hood and enjoys a wide acquaintance among the 
people of Western Missouri. The name of Dough- 
erty was a familiar one to the pioneers of this 
State, and its members wherever known are held 
in the highest esteem as people of resolute charac- 
ter and broad intelligence. 

A In'ief mention of the father of our subject, 
Maj. John Dougherty, will undoubtedly be of in- 
terest to our readers. He was born in Nelson 
County, Ky., April 12, 179L On the second ex- 
pedition of Lewis and Clark to the Rocky Moun- 
tains in about 1808, he first came West from Ken- 
tucky. He was then about seventeen years old, 



but notwithstanding his youth was one of the 
most resolute pioneers in the expedition. Reach- 
ing St. Louis, he at once entered the service of the 
American Fur Company, under the auspices of 
Sarpy, Chouteau, Picot and others of that cit}'. 
In 1808 he went to the mountains, where he re- 
mained for seven years before he returned to 
civilization. During that period he spent one 
winter on the Columbia River, and returned 
home via Salt Lake and the Big Platte. 

At St. Louis Maj. Dougherty married Miss Mary 
Hertzog, a native of that city, and soon after 
their marriage the young couple located at Leav- 
enworth, Kan., where Lewis B., of this sketch, 
was born December 7, 1828, and he is believed to 
have been the first' white child born in Kansas. 
In 1820, Maj. Dougherty was appointed an In- 
dian agent and continued to act in that capacity 
until 1840. In 1830 he returned to St. Louis, ]Mo. 
and three years later removed to Council Bluffs, 
Iowa, where he was stationed for some time as In- 
dian agent. He was afterward stationed at Ft. 
Leavenworth, later again resided in St. Louis, and 
thence returned to Leavenworth, where he had 
charge of the Indian Agency until 1837. About 
this time he removed to Liberty, making his home 
in Clay County during the residue of his life. He 
became a leading and influential citizen of this 
county, which he represented in the State Legis- 
lature, a colleague of Gen. Doniphan and Will- 
iam Wood. He was elected to that position in 
1840 and served one term with distinction. 

Maj. Doughertj' was a magnificent specimen of 
the frontiersman and Indian-fighter, as well as the 
old-fashioned Missouri gentleman. He was a 
man of great influence among the tribes of the In- 
dians from the Missouri to the Columbia, and as- 
sisted in making many treaties with them. His 
Indian name in its English interpretation was 
"Controller of Fire Water." He spoke the French 
language and seven of the leading Indian dialects 
of the Northwest Territory with perfect fluency. 
After locating in Clay County, he opened a large 
farm some six or seven miles from Liberty, and 
there he resided until his death, which took place 
December 28, 1860. Throughout Clay County, 
and, indeed, over a large region of country, he 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



207 



was highly esteemed by all, as he was well known. 
No one in tiie county' stood higher in the opinion 
of liie public or of his neighbors. He w.as a man 
of higli character, courage and generosity, and 
withal of great kindness of heart. 

The following tribute written at the time of the 
death of Maj. Dougherty by one of his personal 
friends and contemporaries, expressed the feelings 
of hundreds of his friends and acquaintances: 
'•The death in our county of Maj. .John Dough- 
erty should not be suffered to pass without ever\' 
approi>riate tribute to his memory; for, take him 
all in all, he was a man whose like we shall hardly 
ever look upon again in this world. "We greatly 
fear the period has passed in our history when 
men of his firm nerve and solidity will be born. 
He was one of the most agreeable men in social 
life it has ever been my fortune to know; and 
how many thousands in this great State and all 
over our country whose hearts will be touched, 
as mine has been, by the news of his death; how 
many will remember fondly those pleasant hours 
they have passed in his compan}', whilst he re- 
counted the scenes and trials of his early life 
midst the regions of the Rocky Mountains and 
the far distant Oregon, whither he wended his 
way as a mountain trapper at the early age of 
eighteen years. I could go on, if this were the 
pro|)er place and time permitted, to fill a volume 
in speaking of the life of Maj. Dougherty, but I 
forbear." 

Energetic, and frugal in his manner of living, 
but never parsimonious, and a man of good busi- 
ness ability, Maj. Dougherty accumulated a com- 
fortable property, which he left intact to his chil- 
dren at his death. He had also been generous in 
providing them with the best means for mental 
culture, and otherwise within his power fitting 
them for the activities of life. A tj-pical, good 
citizen, one whose industry and enterprise were 
not less valuable to the community than to him- 
self, and an exemplar}' man in his own family, 
his memory is revered by his children and all who 
knew him as that of one whose example is worthy 
of all imitation. Of his children, three sons and a 
daughter lived to mature years. One of these, 
John K., was killed at the battle of Franklin, 



Tenn., a member of the Third Missouri Confeder- 
ate Infantry, in the company of the s'ubject of this 
sketch. Another son, O. F., is a resident of Lib- 
erty, and the daughter is the wife of Gen. C. F. 
Ruff, of Philadelphia. 

Lewis B. Dougherty, the subject of this sketch, 
was reared on his father's farm near Liberty and 
received his primary education in the schools of 
the vicinity. The knowledge there obtained was 
supplemented by attendance at the State Univer- 
sity in Columbia, from which he graduated in 
1847. Immediately after completing his literary 
studies, he went to Ft. Kearney, in what was then 
the Territory of Nebraska, where he engaged in the 
suttler's business for four years, meeting witli con- 
siderable success in the enterprise. From Ft. 
Kearney he proceeded to Ft. Laramie, in Wyo- 
ming, in about 18.52, and continued in the same 
business there for four or five years. He was ab- 
sent from Clay County in all about ten years, 
and after his return in 1857 he settled on a farm, 
where he continued to reside, occupied princii)ally 
in agricultural pursuits, some twelve or fifteen 
years. 

When the Commercial Savings Bank of Liberty 
was organized, Mr. Dougherty became a stock- 
holder. About six years afterward, in 1871, he 
was elected Cashier of the bank, a position he has 
continued to hold ever since. The bank has a 
capital stock of $50,000 and is well known as one 
of the most substantial and reliable institutions 
on the western border of the State, and for the 
enviable reputation it has made a large share of 
credit is due to Mr. Dougherty. He is also still 
interested in farming and has three valuable farms, 
located respectively in Clay, Vernon and Douglas 
Counties. In 1874 he was elected Treasurer of 
the county and discharged the duties of that re- 
sponsible office with efficiency and fidelity, and 
to the general satisfaction of the public. 

December 7, 1858, Mr. Dougherty was married 
to Miss Anna Carey, a daughter of the late Daniel 
Carey, one of the pioneer settlers and substantial 
citizens of Platte County. Mrs. Doughert}' was 
educated at Liberty and in the Camden Female 
College and is a lady of culture. Mr. and Mrs. 
Dougherty have two children now living: Flora, 



208 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



wife of C. C. Courtney, of Kansas City; and John 
L. Mary died in 1880 at the age of eight years. 
In their religions connections, the members of the 
family belong to the Presbyterian Cluirch. Soci- 
ally Mr. Dougherty is a prominent member of the 
Masonic order, belonging to the lodge, chapter 
and commandery. 



R. OEORGE E. HAMILTON. Few, per- 
haps none, save those who have trod the 
arduous paths of the profession, can pic- 
lure to themselves the array of attributes, 
— physical, mental and moral — the host of minor 
graces of manner and person essential to the 
making of a truly successful physician. His con- 
stitution must needs be of the hardiest to withstand 
the constant shoclvof wind and weather, the wear- 
ing loss of sleep and rest, the ever-gathering load 
of care, and the insidious approach of every form 
of fell disease to which his daily round of duties 
momentarily expose him. In Dr. George E. Hamil- 
ton tliese attributes could be found, except the 
essential bodily vigor necessary for the successful 
prosecution of this arduous calling. lie was born 
April 25, 1861, at Crab Orchard. Ray County, Mo., 
being a son of Thomas Hamilton, also of Crab 
Orchard. 

Residing on a farm until he attained his major- 
ity, he acquired a practical education in the com- 
mon schools in the vicinity of his home, after 
which he, in the fall of 1880, or when nineteen 
3'cars of age, began attending school at Richmond, 
where he continued to pursue the paths of learning 
for a period of six months. In the spring of 1881 
lie went to De Kalb County, Mo., where he looked 
after a farm belonging to his father until the fol- 
lowing fall, when he matriculated at Stcwartsville 
College, in which institution he remained ten 
months. In October of the following year he first 
began his medical studies, which he continued to 
pursue for one year, at the end of which time he 
entered the Missouri Medical College at St. Louis, 
where he remained five months. He continued to 



further extend his knowledge of medicine through- 
out the following summer, but lacking the required 
funds to complete his course, he began teaching a 
district school in the vicinit}' of Camden, Mo., 
and during the six months that he devoted to this 
occupation he made an excellent record for him- 
self. The following six months were again devo- 
ted to his studies, after which he went to De Kalb 
County and again resumed teaching. The succeed- 
ing spring he entered the otlice of Dr. Des Monde, 
and read medicine with that distinguished physi- 
cian until October, during which time he returned 
liome every night to stay with his step-mother, his 
father having died that spring. 

In October, he became the assistant of Prof. S. 
F. Carpenter, who filled the Chair of Anatomy in 
the Northwestern Medical College, of St. Joseph 
Mo., at the same time being a student in that insti- 
tution, and in the spring of 1887 he graduated 
as an M. D., with the sum of sixty-five cents in 
his pocket. However, he says, "I felt like a million- 
aire, for I had worked over four and a-half years 
to gain ray diploma." His brother, J. R. Hamilton, 
of Richmond, kindly purchased him a ticket to Or- 
rick, and placed in his hands the sum of $10, which 
was suflicient to establish him modestly in Orrick, 
where his native ability and thorough knowledge 
of his profession soon became recognized, and were 
the means of winning for him a lucrative prac- 
tice. In addition to faithfully disharging his 
professional duties, he formed a partnership with 
W. G. Stai)p in the drug business, but has closed 
out his interest in the same, as, owing to ill health, 
he found his duties too heavy. He is now a resi- 
dent of Richmond, where he purchased the interest 
of his brother's partner in the drug store. 

October 11, 1888, he was married to Miss Lucy 
Taylor, a daughter of M. G. and MoUie Taylor, of 
Ray County, where she was born, and their union 
has resulted in the birth of one child, Reuel, whose 
birth occurred on the 26th of August, 1892. Mrs. 
Hamilton's grandfather was A. D. Brasher, whose 
sketch appears herein. Mrs. Hamilton is an intell- 
igent and well-educated lady and a model h(>use- 
keeper, a consistent member of the Christian 
Church, and a teacher in the Sunday-school. Dr. 
Hamilton is a member of Orrick Lodge No. 56, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



211 



I. O. O. F. His career as a physiciun has been 
one of signal success, and should his health permit 
him to continue his professioual duties, he will 
without doubt rise to eminence. 






!)H0MA8 II. WOLLARD, Vice-president of 
the Ray County Savings Bank, is one of 

^f the prosperous and representative agricul- 
turists and successful stock-raisers of this county, 
and is also numbered among the most prominent 
and influential citizens of Missouri. Mr. Wol- 
lard was born uiion a farm, now a part of the 
town site of Richmond, October 14, 1827, and has 
therefore been intimately associated all his life 
with the upward growth and progress of his na- 
tive State. 

The father of our subject was John Wollard, 
who was a native of North Carolina. Ilis wife was 
Nancy Lysle, a native of Tennessee and a daugh- 
ter of Malachi Lysle. When seventeen years of 
age John AVollard removed to what was then called 
Howard Count}"^, but is now known as Carroll 
County, Mo. There he married and soon after- 
ward came to Kay County, and pre-empted a claim 
where Richmond now stands. He successfully 
farmed the one hundred and sixty acres he had 
taken from the Government, and lived an upright 
and conscientious life. He was a consistent mem- 
ber of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Po- 
litically, he was an old-line Whig. He died in 
his seventy -seventh year, in 1877, a man highly 
respected and esteemed for his many virtues. 

The mother of our subject was, like her hus- 
band, a valued member of the Cumberland Pres- 
byterian Church. She passed away in 1870, after 
having become the mother of fourteen children, 
all of whom lived to adult age. Five sons and 
nine daughters composed the family who once 
gathered around the hospitable board, and of these 
two brothers and four sisters now survive. Thomas 
H., our subject, attended the private schools in 
early boyhood, and later enjoyed the benefit of 
10 



the schools of Richmond. He assisted in the work 
of his father's farm and remained upon the fam- 
ily homestead until he was twenty-two years of 
age, when he began life for himself. By good 
management he secured a one hundred and twenty 
acre farm, which he industriously and prosper- 
ously cultivated, and, adding to his landed prop- 
erty' as his means would permit, acquired about 
seventeen hundred acres of excellent land. From 
the pursuit of general agriculture he branched 
out into extensive stock-raising, feeding large 
herds of cattle and at the same time buying and 
shipping mules and other live-stock. During the 
war and at the close of the struggle Mr. Wollard 
made money rapidly, and, a man of sagacity', 
invested it profitably. He was never vacillating 
in his business, but with intelligent decision bent 
all his energies to the accomplishment of his well- 
devised plans. 

In 1850 our subject married Miss Narcissa Pritch- 
ard, a native of Kay Count}', Mo., and a daughter 
of Robert Pritchard, one of the pioneers of the 
county. Three daughters and two sons brightened 
the home, and all grew to adult age. Fannie is 
the wife of Monroe Pugh, a farmer; Mary J. mar- 
ried J. H. McCuistou, who is engaged in farming 
pursuits; John M. died in 188.5, at twenty-nine 
years of age; Laura I. is the wife of Robert Rust, 
a farmer; Thomas J., the youngest son, carries on 
a part of the old homestead. The mother of these 
children died in November, 1885. She was early 
in life a member of the Presbyterian Church, but 
in later years joined the Methodist Episcopal 
Church South, and was highly respected as a most 
excellent wife and mother. Mr. Wollard married 
his present wife in May, 1886. This estimable 
lady was Miss Augusta Berry, the daughter of 
William and Martha T. (Herndon) Berry, both na- 
tives of Kentucky, who married in Lexington, 
and thence journeyed to Ray Count}', where they 
were among the pioneers of the county. 

Mr. Wollard divided his seventeen iiundrcd 
acres of land among his children, retaining for 
his own use two hundred and eighty acres, which 
he devotes to general farming and stock-raising. 
Aiding in the establishment of numerous worthy 
enterprises, our subject was one of the organizers 



212 



PORTEAIT AND BIOGEArHICAL RECORD. 



of the Ray County Savings Bank, and for many 
3'ears has been a stockhoklcr and served as Vice- 
president for six years. He served witli valor in 
the Mexican War, and draws a pension from the 
Government. He engaged in the battles of Brazito 
and Sacramento, Capt. Henle}', of Richmond, hav- 
ing charge of the company-. Honored and pros- 
pered, our subject has reached the early evening 
of liis days, when with calm content he can review 
a well-spent life of useful toil, and enjoy the 
fruits of self-reliant industry. He has never been 
a politician in the ordinar}- acceptation of the 
term, but, in common with all true citizens, he 
takes an interest in the administration of public 
affairs and believes in the platform and principles 
of a strong and earnest Democracy. 



>|^t^.^- 



AMUEL G. T. GREKNFIP]LD,a prosperous 
and leading general agriculturist and suc- 
cessful stock-raiser, is a man of excellent 
business ability, and, wisely' managing his 
financial affairs, has achieved a competence and 
won a high place among the prominent and sub- 
stantial citizens of Clay County, Mo. Our suliject 
was born in Todd County, Ky., October -f , 1 822, and 
is a son of Samuel and Mary (Thomi)son) Greenfield. 
The paternal grandparents were Thomas and Alice 
(Bowman) Greenfield. Thomas Greenfield was 
born in England, and came to the United States 
alone when a single man. He settled in Virginia 
and married in the Old Dominion, and afterward 
removed with his family to Todd Count}', Ky., in 
a very earlj' day, and there reared a family of 
twelve children. 

Grandfather Greenfield was a blacksmith b}' 
trade, and had spent manj' a year Ijeside the anvil, 
but in later life devoted his time to agricultural 
duties. He and his worth}' helpmate and faithful 
wife were both members of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church. The father of our subject was born 
in the Kentucky homestead, and received a pri- 
mar}' education in the public schools, and having 
learned the trade of blacksmith under his father's 



training, followed the occupation until his death, 
October 4, 182.3. He was located at Elkton, Todd 
County, and left a widow and three children: Mary 
J., deceased, was the wife of John Millen; James, 
deceased, died in 1851; Samuel G. T., our subject. 
The mother of our subject was a daughter of Gid- 
eon and Jane (Vance) Thompson. Mr. and Mrs. 
Thompson and Mrs. Greenfield were all natives of 
North Carolina, but the immediate ancestors were 
born in Ireland. 

Mr. Thompson served bravely in the War of 
1812, under Gen. Jackson, and was a man of 
courage, resolution and strong will. After the 
death of our subject's father, Mrs. Greenfield mar- 
ried Ralph N. Bell, who was a native of Virginia. 
B}- this marriage she became the mother of two sons, 
Caleb and William. Samuel G. T. Greenfield went 
to reside with his brother-in-law when about fif- 
teen years old, and was then sent to school for 
twelve months, during this time receiving excel- 
lent educational advantages, and industriouslj' im- 
proving each moment. At twenty years of age he 
was. given by the same brother-in-law a horse, sad- 
dle and bridle. He then came to Clay County, 
found employment by the month, which he contin- 
ued two years, and afterward bought and rented 
land where he now lives. He has since added to 
the original purchase until he now owns four hun- 
dred acres of fine farming property. Farming and 
stock-raising have since been the main business of 
life, but he has realised considerable profit in loan- 
ing money and in some excellent financial ventures, 
and is numbered among the moneyed men of the 
county. 

Mr. Greenfield married at the age of twenty- 
three Miss Mary Brooks, a daughter of Abijah 
and Harriet (Brooks) Brooks. This estimable lady 
died without issue, and our subject again married, 
his second wife being Miss Nancy Mothershead, 
daughter of Nathaniel and Lucy (Boggess) Mothers- 
head. Mrs. Green field was a native of Clay County, 
Mo., in which State her parents were early pioneers, 
emtgrating from Kentucky, in which State they 
were both born, the father in 1802, and the mother 
in 1811. Mr. Greenfeld is a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, aud politically affil- 
iates with the Democrats, and is actively interested 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



213 



in the local and national management of affairs. 
He lias occupied tlic responsible position of Judge 
of Elections longer than any other man in this 
part of the county, and is highly esteemed hy the 
general public as a man of more than ordinary 
ability and undoubted integrity of character. 



'' ' ^ 



^^ 



^^^ experience ai 



PLLIAM C. JAMES, M. D. In the very 
life, and with a wide range of 
and knowledge pertaining to 
the healing art, our subject was never so well 
qualified as now for the practice of his profession. 
He was born at Joncsborough, Union County, 111., 
October 7, 1841, and was reared in his native place, 
where he received an English education in the 
schools. Before finally quitting school, however, 
he followed the profession of a teacher for a while 
and worked in a printing office. Having resolved 
to become a ph3'sician, he read medicine with Dr. 
Goodman, of Joncsborough, after which he took a 
course of lectures in the University of Michigan, 
at Ann Ai'bor. Later he entered the Iowa Medi- 
cal University', at Keokuk, Iowa, where he was 
graduated May 28, 1864. His medical education 
completed, he came to Missouri and has resided in 
this vicinity ever since. 

IMa}' 28, 1874, our subject married Miss Alice 
Estell, who died about one year after their union. 
November 30, 1881, he was united in marriage with 
Miss Fannie Tillery, of Plattsburgh, Mo., daugh- 
ter of Capt. Jerry Tillery, of the same place. Two 
children have been born to Dr. and Mrs. James, 
viz: William Tillery, who was eight years old Sep- 
tember 17, 1892; and Donovan Erskine, who was 
fourj'ears old November 14, 1892. 

Dr. James is the son of AVilliam James, a promi- 
nent farmer and stock-grower of Union County, 
111., who lost his life in the great overflow of the 
river in 1844, seven hundred head of cattle being 
swept from the farm and drowned at the same 
time. Our subject is junior member of the firm 
of James Bros., ph3'sicians and surgeons at Law- 
sou, Dr. G. AV. James being the senior meralier. 



The brothers own a cattle and stock farm in Park 
County, Colo., upon which they also raise a very 
large amount of hay. 

Socially, Dr. James is a member of the Indc[)cn- 
dent Order of Odd Fellows and the IMasonic fra- 
ternity, in both of which orders he is prominent 
and popular. He is identified with the Ray 
County Medical Society, and the Missouri State 
Medical Societj-. His political opinions are posi- 
tive and are in full accord with those of the Demo- 
cratic party. He is a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church South, and President of the 
Board of Trustees in the church at Lawson. His 
interest in Sunda^'-school work is strong; twice 
he has been elected Superintendent, and at all 
times finds some good work to engage his attention 
in the Sundaj'-school. He likewise is a prized 
worker in the church. A man of large symi)athies, 
of gentle character, thoughtful and considerate 
for others, he is a most useful man in his commu- 
nity. The Doctor's practice is in the village of 
Lawson, where he has a cozy residence, and he also 
has an extensive practice in the surrounding coun- 
try. 



^ ANLY NICKELSON, an influential busi- 
ness man of Lawson, was born in Yadkin 
County, N. C, September 29, 1854. His 
fathei-, W. S. Nickelson, was a farmer and 
stock-raiser of Yadkin Count3-, and was a man of 
upright principles and honorable character. Un- 
der the training of his father, our subject early 
became familiar with agricultural pursuits, and as 
soon as old enough, aided in the farm work. 

When about sixteen years old, Mr. Nickelson 
came to Missouri and first located in Gentry 
County, where he followed farming for a short 
time. ' From there he removed to Ray County and 
engaged in various occupations until lie embarked 
in the livery business, first in the employ of others 
and later for himself. Prior to entering the busi- 
ness on his own account, January 1, 1892, he was 
engaged in the same occupation at Lawson in part- 
nershii" with Sir. Clark and other parties. In ad- 



214 



POKTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



dition to this enterprise he has for a number of 
years been connected with the Excelsior Springs 
Company. 

As a business man, too mucli cannot be said in 
commendation of tiie uprightness, tact and honor- 
able methods followed by Mr. Nickeison. Ever 
honest in his dealings with all, careful hi his in- 
vestments, sanguine in temperament and lirm in 
his decisions, he commands and receives the re- 
spect of his fellow-citizens. In his personal ap- 
pearance, he is prepossessing and wins friends at 
sight. Hence it is not strange that iiis circle of 
friends is limited only by the number of his ac- 
quaintances. Politically, he has ever been loj'al 
to the Democratic party, and an earnest advocate 
of its principles. 

The marriage of Mr. Nickeison took pi.ace in 
December, 1877, at which time Miss Mary B. Ray 
became his wife. Mrs. Nickeison is a native of 
Missouri, and is a lady of intelligence and kindly 
disposition. Six children have been born of the 
union, namely: Robert P., .John L., Mary E., Katie 
P. and Florence R., who are all living, and Mj-rtle 
A., who died at the age of four years. The fam- 
ily finds a religious home in the Baptist Church, 
to the progress of which they contribute of their 
labor and means. Mr. Nickeison is a member of 
the Masonic fraternity, being a Knight Templar, 
and is also identified with the Knights of Pythias. 



-^1- 



=%m- 



(fl AMES Mi'AFEE. An inlluential position 
among the agriculturists of Ray County is 
held b}' the subject of this sketch, who is 
successfully conducting farming operations 
on township 52, range 29. He was born within 
two miles of his present place of residence, Decem- 
ber 18, 1851, and is the son of Elijah and Nica J. 
(Whitton) McAfee, the former born in Bourbon 
County, Ky., February 24, 1816, and the latter a 
native of Tennessee, born .January 8, 1830. 

Left an orphan when quite young, Elijah Mc- 
Afee was early obliged to become self-supporting 
and had few educational advantages. At the age 



of about fifteen, he came to Missouri and located 
in Ra}' County, where for several years he worked 
by the month for others. He made several trips 
across the plains in an early day, the last expedi- 
tion of this kind being made in 1857. During the 
war with Mexico, he enlisted in the service of our 
country and with his regiment inarched to the 
front, where he did valiant service. Upon return- 
ing from the battlefield, he took charge of freight- 
ing expeditions across the mountains to various 
points in Oregon, California, Utah and Mexico. 

March 22, 1849, occurred the marriage of Elijah 
McAfee to Miss Nica .J., daughter of Calvin and 
Mary (Kesar) Whitton, natives of Tennessee, who 
removed to Ray County, Mo., when their daugh- 
ter was quite young. Unto Mr. and Mrs. McAfee 
were born five children, namel}^: John C, James, 
Andrew, George, and Ellen, who died at the age of 
six years. The father of this family entered one 
hundred and forty acres of unimproved land in 
Ray County, but did not live to accomplish its 
improvement, for in 1859 he passed from earth, 
leaving his wife with their little children to care 
for and rear to maturity. She afterward married 
again, becoming the wife of George B. Clevenger. 

After acquiring a common-school education in 
R;iy County, James McAfee became self-support- 
ing, and as he had been reared on a farm and was 
familiar with agricultural pursuits, he naturally 
chose farming as his life occupation. At the age 
of twenty-two, he married Miss Sarah F. Odell, 
who was born in Ray County, the daughter of 
William and Mary (Odell) Odell. The young 
couple settled on a portion of their present farm, 
which then consisted of forty acres of unimproved 
land. Through diligence and excellent manage- 
ment, Mr. McAfee has become the owner of one 
hundred and sixty-five acres, most of which is im- 
proved and in a high state of cultivation. It is 
conceded to be one of the best farms in the county 
and contains modern machinery, substantial barns 
and outbuildings and a comfortable residence of a 
modern style of architecture. 

Eight children have been born of the union of 
Mr. and Mrs. McAfee, as follows: ,lohn A., Mary 
E., Njca, Elijah, Maud, James B., Gertie M. and 
Bessie A. They are bright and intelligent chil- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



215 



dren, and are being fitted under the excellent 
training of the parents, and tlie educational ad- 
vantages afforded in the public schools, for posi- 
tions of honor in tlie business and social world. 
Firm in liis support of the principles of the Demo- 
cratic party, Mr. ^McAfee does all in his power to 
advance the interests of his community, and al- 
though he has never been an office-seeker, main- 
tains a deep interest in public affairs. 



ii^^i'^i^! 



/^^ AMUEL W. COX, an enterprising and suc- 
^^^ cessful agriculturist, located in township 
Iv^lIII) ''^'' ''^"8*^ "^^' Glay County, Mo., enjo3's 
the confidence and esteem of a wide circle 
of friends and acquaintances, and is known to be 
an upright man of sterling integrity of character. 
Our subject was born in Fleming Countj', K3-., in 
1828, and is the son of James and Elizabeth 
(Williams) Cox. His parents were both natives 
of Virginia, the father having been born in the 
Old Dominion in 1799, while his wife was a few 
years his junior. The paternal grandfather was 
a farmer by occupation and a native of Maryland, 
and when a young man fought bravely in the 
Revolutionary War. After his marriage he re- 
moved to Virginia, and in about* 1819 settled with 
his famil}' in Kentucky. Nine children were born 
unto this veteran of the war, and of the familj' 
the father of our subject was the eldest. 

James Cox received his education in the primi- 
tive schools of the pioneer days, and began early 
in life to make his waj' in the world. He married 
at about nineteen years of age the daughter of Mr. 
and Mrs. James Williams, who were natives of 
Maryland. Soon after his marriage he located with 
his wife upon a farm in Kentucky, and there lived 
until he came to Missouri, in 1845, and located in 
Platte County, where he bought eighty acres of 
land. The last years of his life were spent with his 
children in Clay County, where he died in August, 
1880. He had reared a family of thirteen children, 
two of whom died young. The sons and daughters 
were: Sarah A. (deceased), William W., Klizabeth 



J., Nancy (deceased), James; Samuel W., our sub- 
ject; Edgar; Isaac; Silas, who died in the service 
of the Union army, and was a brave and faith- 
ful man and true American citizen; Morgan, and 
George, the youngest of the family. The parents 
<if these brothers and sisters were members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and were sincere 
Christians. The wife and mother passed away 
many years before her husband. Politically, Mr. 
James Cox was an ardent Whig before the war, and 
afterward was a strong Republican. 

Samuel Cox received his education in the dis- 
trict schools of Kentucky and Missouri, and self- 
reliantlj' earlj- engaged in hard dailj' labor, at 
twenty years of age working by the month upon 
a farm. He crossed the plains in the year 1850, 
in company with a train of twentj'-one wagons, 
and was about seven months making the trip, 
as many of the teams gave out, the grass being 
poor in the early spring. Our subject was away 
from home for about twenty-two months, and 
mined at Placerville, Georgetown and White Rock 
while in California. He made good wages but, as 
the miners express it, did not "strike it rich." He 
returned b3' water to New York, and then home. 

In 1853 Mr. Cox was united in marriage with 
Miss Isabelle McGee, daughter of Charles and Ma- 
hala (Poteet) McGee. Seven bright children glad- 
ened their cheerful home, and of the little ones 
six survived to mature age. Georgi.ana was the 
eldest and became the wife of William Town; 
Martha is Mrs. Joseph Wade; Elvina J. married 
Thomas Gordon and afterward Bert Town; Thomas 
Jefferson; Samuel M.; and Eva, the wife of Ed 
Young. These brothers and sisters, going out into 
homes of their own, are in their several localities 
numbered among the prominent and useful citi- 
zens of to-da3', and, together with their parents, 
are important factors in the progress and advance- 
ment of the best interests of the American nation. 

In religious affiliation Mr. and Mrs. Cox are 
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and 
largely identified with the good work of that re- 
ligious denomination. Political!}', our subject is 
no office-seeker, but is a strong Democrat, and 
ever interested in the success of the party, wliose 
l)iincip!cs and platform he firmly maintains. A 



216 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



kind friend and excellent neighbor, Mr. Cox has 
shared the sorrows of the many in the community 
where he has spent a useful and honored career, 
and enjoys the respect and confidence of all good 
citizens. 



^^1 



yjjALTUS L. WATKINS, an honored pio- 
neer citizen and a constant resident of 

ij^/ Missouri for more than a half-century, 
was born in Woodford County, Ky., October 30, 
1806, and located in this State in 1830, when Cla^^ 
County was almost a wilderness. After a long 
life of usefulness and honor he died January 24, 
1884, his death lamented as a public loss. He was 
a man of undoubted integrity' of character, and 
withal energetic, able and enterprising, and the 
many interests in whose advancement and promo- 
tion he assisted will long keep his memory green 
in the hearts of friends and neighbors. His es- 
timable wife, Mary A. HoUoway, of Jessamine 
County, Kj'., was born January 5, 1817. 

Mr. and Mrs. Watkins were the parents of 
eleven children, namely: John (deceased), George 
S., Alfred (deceased), John H., Catherine J. (de- 
ceased), Martha A., Mary E., Waltus J., Carrie 
E., A. Judson and Joe B. John H. Watkins is one 
of the most influential and enterprising citizens 
of Clay County, and is successfully managing a 
woolen factory and flourmill, and also conducts 
the largest stock farm iu this portion of the State. 
He is a prosperous breeder of Shorthorn cattle 
and blooded horses, and his extensive stock farm 
is the centre of attraction for manj' visitors, es- 
pecially buyers of fine stock. At twenty-five years 
of age he became associated with his father in 
the milling, manufacturing, farming and stock- 
raising business, the firm name being W. L. 
Watkins A .Son. In 1882 John II., A. Judson 
and Joe B. succeeded W. L. Watkins & Son, 
under the firm name of John Watkins <fe Bros. 
John H. is an extensive laud-holder, and owns 
seventeen hundred acres of valuable real estate. 

A. Judson married Mar<;aret J. Smith Decem- 



ber 10, 1884, and they have two children. His 
business is the pursuit of general agriculture and 
stock-raising, and he is also a buyer and shipper. 
He owns eight hundred and forty acres of valu- 
able land, and is a successful and prosperous man. 
Politicallj', he is a Democrat, and in religious be- 
lief a Baptist. Fraternallj-, he is identified with the 
Knight? of P^'thias, and has attained a high degree 
in the Masonic order; he is also a Knight Templar 
and belongs to the Ancient Arabic Order of No- 
bles of the Mystic Shrine. Joe B., who was born 
in 1859, owns seven hundred acres of excellent 
land, and is engaged extensively in general busi- 
ness and in cultivating the soil. In political af- 
filiation he IS a Democrat, and in religious per- 
suasion adheres to the doctrines of the Baptist 
Church. 

Waltus L. Watkins, the father of these repre- 
sentative business men of Clay County, was never 
in favor of slaver3', and set all his negroes free 
before the edict of the Government did so. Mr. 
Watkins was a capable man in every department 
of life. When expert brick-makers failed to make 
the brick he needed for his factory and the church 
and schoolhouse near b}', he took the dirt which 
the workmen said could not be used and manu- 
factured the lirick himself. The brick was burned 
in 1859, and in the following years, 1860 and 
1861, the factory was erected out of the excellent 
material furnished by intelligent abilit}'. A few 
j'ears later the church and schoolhouse were erected 
out of the same material. In 1861 the profitable 
mill was in full operation. 

During the Civil War Mr. Watkins was raided 
alternately by the boys in blue and the boj'S iu 
gray. This enterprising pioneer entered six thou- 
sand acres of land from the Ciovernment, and in- 
duced good men to come out and locate in the new 
country. He sold them land at very low figures, 
his object being to secure a good class of settlers 
in the community. A public-spirited and progress- 
ive citizen, he gave great impetus to the organ- 
ization and promotion of the leading business 
Interests, and personally established the first cot- 
ton, woolen, saw, brick and flouring mills. In 
1828 he assisted in building the first locomotive 
and steam car ever used in the United States. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



>217 



Mr. Watkins also aided in the founding and 
promotion of the liome school, the best in tlie 
county, and was for sixteen years one of the Trus- 
tees of William .Jewell College, in Liberty, giv- 
ing liberally to various well-known institutions 
of learning. Dying, this intelligent and enter- 
prising American citizen bequeathed to his descend- 
ants the memory of a most worthj' and honored 
life, fragrant with good deeds and rich in the manly 
virtues of integrity, abilit}' and self-reliance, which 
accomplish tasks almost Herculean, and overcome 
all obstacles to success. Also honored and re- 
spected, his sons and daughters worthily fill posi- 
tions of influence and are numbered among the 
leading and prosperous citizens of their several 
communities. 



sEX. P. F. HARMON, a devoted minister of 
^ the Gospel, and the well-known energetic 
and enterprising pastor of the Baptist 
^ Church at Piatt Island, Clay County, Mo., 
resides in township 51. range 32. Born in the 
3'ear 1865, our subject is yet in early manhood, 
but hiis alreadj' accomplished much of good for the 
Master, and in behalf of his fellow-men. His par- 
ents, Peter and Mary E. (Greekmore) Harmon, 
were the parents of thirteen children, of whom 
eleven sons and daughters yet survive. The father 
was born in Whitley County, Ky., and came to 
Missouri in 1876. He owned three hundred and 
twenty acres of land, and was a successful general 
farmer and stock-raiser in Missouri, but in Ken- 
tucky ran a distillor^^ 

Born in the j-ear 1825, Peter Harmon did not 
survive to advanced age, but passed peacefully 
away in 1879. His wife, the mother of our subject, 
was born in 1827, and is yet living, and a resident 
of Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. Peter Harmon were both 
members of the Missionar}' Baptist Church, and for 
man}' years active in all good works of that or- 
ganization. Mr. Harmon was in political belief a 
stanch Democrat, and w.as always interested in lo- 



cal and national Government. The eleven children 

who survive to mourn his loss are, Berslieba, Kin- 
dric, Mathew, Ezra, Ewell W.,Curence G., Horatio, 
Lou, Mary, P. F. (our subject) and Jaley. The pa- 
ternal and maternal grandparents of these brothers 
and sisters were all natives of East Tennessee, in 
which State the paternal grandfather was a stock- 
dealer. He was in early times the owner of a grist- 
mill on Gillico River, Whitley Count}', Ky., and 
one day when going to the mill was arrested by 
soldiers, but was rescued by a nephew of his wife. 

The Rev. P. F. Harmon received his primary ed- 
ucation in the common schools of his home neigh- 
borhood, residing in Kansas, and at the age of six- 
teen years removed to Mayfield, afterward attend- 
ing the William Jewell College of Liberty, from 
which well-known institution of learning he grad- 
uated with honor in 1889, having full}' completed 
the course of study fitting him for the sacred pro- 
fession of the ministry, Soon after he had left 
college, he was, in 1889, united in marriage with 
Miss Nellie Loback, of Gallatin Township, and a 
daughter of Jacob and Bettie Loback, well-known 
residents of this portion of the State. Since his 
marriage, our subject h.as lived in Birmingham, 
where he organized the membership, and built the 
house of worship in which he presided as the first 
pastor. 

The existence of the church is almost entirely 
due to the energetic and unflagging energy and de- 
termined work of the young pastor, who begged 
the money for the purpose from the citizens of 
Kansas and Missouri. The firm of Coburn & Ew- 
ing, Kansas City, donated the land upon which 
the church stands, and also gave $350 toward the 
erection of the sacred edifice, whose foundations 
were laid by our industrious anil zealous subject. 
His efforts have been rewarded by both financial suc- 
cess and religious awakening, in which many were 
led to seek the better life. The hearth and home 
of Mr. and Mrs. Harmon have been blessed by 
the birth of two bright and promising little ones. 
Bettie was born in 1889, and Zenith C. came into 
the happy household in 1891. Young in years, 
full of.laudalile ambition, and desirous to do much 
of good and faithful service, our subject has worth- 
ily begun the r.ace of life, and bv his ability and 



218 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



i ntegrity of character has already won the esteem 
and confidence of the community among whom he 
labors unselfishl\'. lie and his excellent wife, who 
shares his joys and sorrows, are both widely known 
and have a large circle of warm friends. 



H****/^^****! 



^- 



II^ENRY C. PERDUE, the popular and effi- 
l()li cient Sheriff of Ray County, is now serving 
/^^ his second ollicial term, and in the discharge 
(^; of duties connected with his position, lias 
evinced marked abilit}- and excellent judgment. 
Sheriff Perdue was born in Buckingham Count}', 
Va., October 12, 1836. Ilis [)arents were Josiah 
and Virginia (Branch) Perdue, both of whom were 
natives of the Old Dominion, and were there ed- 
ucated and married. Josiah Perdue removed with 
his famil}' to Missouri in 184.0, and the following 
year located in La Fayette County, and finally set- 
tled in 1847 in Raj' County, where he cultivated 
a farm in Richmond Township until the daj' of 
his death in 1859. He was an energetic and pro- 
gressive citizen, and was active even to the last of 
his life, and passed away at the age of seventy- 
four years, having been born in 1785. 

The mother of our subject, now in her ninety- 
first year, resides in Saline County, and enjoys for 
her advanced years unusual health and strength. 
She is the daughter of Henry Branch, who was of 
English descent, and was a man of more than or- 
dinary ability. The Perdues are of French ex- 
traction, and were among the early emigrants to 
America, here becoming known in the South as peo- 
ple of intelligence and enter[)rise. Ilenrj- C. Perdue 
was the sixth of ten children born unto his father 
and mother, and of the large family of sons and 
daughters but five now survive. Our subject re- 
mained upon his father's farm until he had reached 
early manhood. AVhen a lad he assisted in farm- 
ing duties, and attended in the winter months the 
little district school of his immediate neighbor- 
hood. 

At the t)utbreak of the Civil War our subject 
engaged in the struggle, and participated in the 



battle of Wilson's Creek, in which conflict he was 
disabled for future usefulness as a soldier. He 
then returned home and embarked in the drug 
business, which he successfully conducted until his 
election as Sheriff in 1888. In 1890 Mr. Perdue 
was re-elected to the position for a term of two 
years, and was the candidate on the Democratic 
ticket. In 1861, our subject married Miss Mar_y C. 
Ballard, of Richmond, Mo., and a daughter of Wil- 
lis Ballard, widely known as a man of honor and 
integrity. Mrs. Perdue was born in Albemarle 
County, Va., in the year 1843, and died in 1879, 
leaving four children to mourn her loss. Henry 
C, Jr., is a grocer of Orrick, Ray County; Minnie 
is the wife of Jesse Ralph, a farmer and stock-raiser 
of Richmond; and Emmet and Melville are at home 
with their father. 

Our subject was a second time married, in 1890, 
his present wife having been Miss Cora, a daughter 
of Jasper Cunningham, a highly respected resi- 
ident of Ray County. Politically our subject is 
an active Democrat, ever taking a deep interest in 
the local'and national issues of the day. Fraternally 
he is a member of Ada Lodge No. 444, at Orrick, 
and is and has long been a leading factor in pub- 
lic enterprise and the promotion of important lo- 
cal interests. His position and line of work give 
him a wide acquaintance, and in the performance 
of his daily duty he commands the esteem and 
confidence of the general public. 



'JI/AMES A. RHODUS, an old-time resident 
and successful agriculturist and stock-raiser 
of Clay County, whose pleasant home is in 
Claytonville, township 53, range 30, has 
long been one of the most highl}' respected and 
energetic citizens of this portion of the State. Our 
subject is the son of Daniel and Maiy (Roberts) 
Rhodus, the former a native of Madison Count}', 

Ky. 

.James A., having attained to manhood, beg.an 
life for himself in 1850, and in August of that 
j'ear was united in marriage with Miss Nancy J. 




(9T-rt^-^ k^^UrTK^ 



6^-7^^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



221 



Wilson, who became the mother of a family of 
four children, one of whom survives, Nancy Jane, 
who was born in 1860, and is the wife of W. P. H. 
Turner. Malissa J., born in 1854, died in 1867; 
Mary E., born in 1856, died in 1868; Catherine, 
born in 1858, died in 1879. In 1866, the beloved 
mother passed away. January .30, 1869, Mr. 
Rhodus married Margaret Ketron, and they be- 
came the parents of the following children: Susan, 
born in 1870; James, in 1873; Charles, in 1875; 
Lula, who was born in 1877, and died the same 
year; Thana, wliose birth occurred in 1880, and who 
died in 1881; Lena, born in 1884, and Elsie in 
1886, who still survive. 

Our subject owns a fine farm of three hundred 
and sixty acres, and devotes his time to the culti- 
vation of the fertile soil. He is also largely inter- 
ested in raising a superior quality of stock. Mr. 
Rhodus is one of the oldest Republicans in the 
county and is a firm supporter of the party. He 
and his good wife are valued members of the 
Christian Church and are ever read\' to assist in 
social and benevolent enterprises of merit. During 
the Civil War he enlisted, in 1862, in the State 
service, under Capt. James Moss, of Company C. 
An earnest and intelligent citizen he has ever been 
closely identified with the best interests of his State 
and countrj', aiding as an able and upright man in 
progressive movements tending to .assist in the ad- 
vancement of those less fortunate than himself. 
Bound by the associations of happ^' years, Mr. 
Rhodus is known to all the community in which 
he dwells and commands universal respect and 
esteem. 



/ *=H 



^Sn RRA HARRISON. Through a hfe verging 
I I tow.irds sixty years our subject has lived 
^^ at peace with his neighbors, and has become 
prominently identified with the best interests of 
his communit}'. He is surrounded with all that is 
needed to ensure comfort and contentment, and 
his prosperit}' is the result of the untiring labor of 
former years. His fine farm is located in town- 



ship 50, range 27, Ray County. He was born in 
Marjiand in 1833, and is a son of Kinsey Harrison, 
likewise a native of Maryland. In the common 
schools of that State he gained a somewhat lim- 
ited education, .and while still young was com- 
pelled to earn his own living. 

The mother of our subject was Anna E., daugli- 
ter of John IMtzgerald, of INIaryland, and she 
died when Orra was but four years of age, leav- 
ing a family of four children, one child having 
died previously when quite 3-oung. The others 
are Nimrod, George W., our subject and John H. 
The eldest son was bound out upon a farm and the 
remaining three were taken by strangers, our sub- 
ject finding a home with James W. Simons. 
After thus disposing of his children, the father 
went West, it was thought to Ohio, but he was 
never heard of afterward. The four brothers 
grew to manhood in the same neighborhood in 
Maryland. Then they separated, and upon a visit 
paid by our subject to his native county in 1891 
the most diligent search failed to furnish a single 
trace of the whereabouts of any one of them. 

Orra made his home with Mr. Simons until his 
sixteenth year and then hired out as a farm hand 
for two years, receiving but |>60 for the entire 
work. Later he entered a gristmill at Toolsville, 
Md., where he worked for one year, and afterward 
followed milling for six years in that part of 
Maryl.and. At the age of twenty-four our sub- 
ject married Sarah C, daughter of Adam and 
Parsies (Palmer) Michel, she being a native of 
Maryland, born in 1836. Mr. and Mrs. Harrison 
had a family of ten children, two of whom died 
young, the others being as follows: Clara B., wife 
of George M. Slade; Sarah F., Mrs. Wiley AVare; 
Mary E., who married John Wilson; Susan J., 
wife of Edson Wickliffe; Emma S., wife of Na- 
thaniel Franklin; Glenville, who married Mary 
H.askell; William H., who chose for his wife Alice 
Wilson; and Theodore Lee. 

A few months subsequent to this marriage Mr. 
Harrison removed to Missouri and settled in La 
Fayette County, where he worked in a sawmill 
for nearly one year. Thence he went to Welling- 
ton and worked in a gristmill for two years, and 
in 1860 came to Ray County, where he bought 



222 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the laud on wLich be now lives. AVhen he in- 
vested in the Missouri bottoms very little im- 
provement iiad been made there. Beginning in 'a 
very small waj-, for he was a very poor man with 
a family dependent upon him, he persevered until 
he now owns two hundred and fifty acres. Dur- 
ing the war he enlisted in Capt. Illliott's com- 
pan^^ of Missouri State Militia, but was never 
under fire. 

The first wife of Mr. Harrison departed tliis life 
in 1890, and later he married Miss Pearl Gilbert, 
of Baltimore, Md., the charming and accomplished 
daughter of George and Sarah Gilbert, natives of 
Carroll County, Md. Her father is a merchant of 
Baltimore and she is the youngest of his four liv- 
ing children, the names of the others being Portia, 
Maud and Denton. The political faith of our sub- 
ject is strong and thoroughly in harmony with 
tlie teachings of the Democratic party, with which 
organization he works and votes. 



'OHN W. SHO'J'WELL, a prominent and 
successful attorney-at-law, and a leading 
and influential citizen of Richmond, has 
been closely identified with the best inter- 
ests of the State for many years. He was born in 
May's Lick, Mason County, Ky., .July 4, 1828. 
His father, Jabez Shotwell, w.as also a native of 
Mason County, born in 1791, and was a farmer 
and surveyor, which occupations variously en- 
gaged his time. The paternal grandfather, John, 
was a native of Virginia, but early settled in Ken- 
tucky, where he reared his farail}'. The very- 
early emigrants of the Shotwell family who settled 
in the New World were French-Huguenots who 
were forced to leave their native land on account 
of religious persecution. 

The mother of our subject was Elizabeth AVar- 
der, who was born, reared and married in Ken- 
tucky, and who removed with her husband to La 
Fayette County, Mo., in 1833. In 1835 Mr. 
Shotwell, Sr., made his family a home upon a farm 
adjoining the city of Richmond, where he resided 



until the death of his wife in 1852. He then 
broke up housekeeping and lived with his oulj" 
daughter, Mrs. Fannie E. Royle, the wife of a 
merchant of Lexington, in which place he died in 
November, 18,71. Mr. and Mrs. Shotwell were the 
parents of six children, all of whom lived to adult 
age. John W., our subject, passed the days of his 
3'outh in Richmond, and attended the schools of 
the town, and later received a course of instruc- 
tion in the seminary at Richmond, at that time 
under the management and control of Prof. A. C. 
Redmond, a noted teacher of his day. 

Ambitiousl}' preparing himself for the battle of 
life, our subject taught school winters and worked 
upon the farm in summer for four years, and 
then, abandoning teaching, he began the study of 
law, reading under Oliver Conrow, of Richmond, 
and having passed an excellent examination was 
admitted to the Bar January 1, 1856, G. W. Dunn 
issuing the license to practice. Mr. Shotwell 
opened an office and entered upon the practice of 
his profession, soon after taking into partnership 
C. T. Garner, the firm name being Garner & 
Shotwell, and the partnership continuing for two 
years. In 1876, the firm of Shotwell & Ball be- 
gan its existence and successfully conducted a 
large legal business until six years later, when Mr. 
Ball was elected Prosecuting Attorney of Ray 
County, and the partnership was dissolved. Since 
that time Blr. Shotwell has continued alone in the 
business, and enjoys an extended practice in all 
the courts, local. State and federal in this section. 
Upon February 14, 1861, our subject was united 
in marriage with Miss Julia E. Devlin, of Rich- 
mond, a daughter of Rev. Joseph Devlin, of tlie 
Southern Methodist Episcopal Church. Mv. and 
Mrs. Shotwell hftve had seven children, six of 
whom are living, four sons and two daugliters. 
John W. is the Cashier of the Ray County Savings 
Bank; W. M. is clerk in a clothing store; Benja- 
min is studying law in the office with his father; 
Horace E., Annie E. and Lizzie D. are all at 
home. 

Mr. Shotwell served with efficient fidelity as 
Public Administrator in 1861. In political affilia- 
tion, he was originally a Whig, then a Know- 
NothiniT. but is now a strong Democrat. He is 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



223 



identified with tlie Baptist Church, and Lis wife 
with the Metliodist Church, and both are earnest 
in the support of religious enterprises. Mr. Shot- 
well^ has served as Chairman of the Executive 
Board of the North Liberty Association. Promi- 
nent in all good'work,and upright in character, he 
commands the respect'and confidence of a large 
circle of friends. He has been greatly prospered 
and has worthily won his success. He is now an 
extensive land-owner in the Statc._His home- 
stead adjoining the city is highly improved and 
the family residence, a handsome brick structure, 
is both attractive and commodious. 



i>-^<i 



yC. HARREL, in early days a prominent 
and influential citizen of Kentucky, has 
for over a score of j'ears been identified 
with the growth and progress of the business inter- 
ests of Clay County, Mo., and has long been num- 
bered among the leading agriculturists of Libert}' 
Township. The paternal ancestors of our subject 
were of English birth, but settled in Ken tuck}' at a 
very early day in the history of our country. Both 
the paternal and maternal grandfather fought 
bravely in the Revolutionary War, and in passing 
awaj', bequeathed to their descendants the patriot- 
ism which distinguished the conduct of their hon- 
orable and upright lives. 

Our subject is the son of Isaac and Nancy 
(Montgomery) Harrel, who settled in Kentucky 
when much of the State was almost a wilderness, 
and the Indians constantly terrorized the dwellers 
upon the frontier of this "count}' of Virginia," as 
Iventucky was named by the Federal Government. 
It was in the year 1780, that Isaac Harrel made his 
home in the new countiy called by the savages, 
"Kentucky," meaning "the dark and bloody 
ground," and became one of the hardy, resolute and 
courageous pioneers of the State. Prospering in his 
new home. Father Harrel held important positions 
of trust, and was Surveyor of Nelson County for 
twenty-one years. At the expiration of this 
length of time, he removed with his family to Todd 



County in 1821, and died in 1854. The faithful 
companion of his joys and sorrows, and the brave 
sharer in the privations and dangers of frontier 
life, passed away six years before his death, dying 
in the year 1848. 

Few men possess the energy, ambition and abil- 
ity which were the char.icteristics of Isaac Harrel, 
who achieved prosperity through his own industry 
and self-reliance. He was the owner of six hun- 
dred acres of valuable land, which he devoted to 
general agriculture and the raising of tobacco. In 
very early life he taught school, in the city of 
Natchez, but although he made an excellent in- 
structor, he was more adapted to the handling of 
extensive business interests. His thirst for practi- 
cal knowledge was insatiable, and after an excel- 
lent preparatory education, he fitted himself for 
the practice of law, and studying under Benjamin 
Sliippe and Benjamin Harden, whose legal knowl- 
edge and ability have attained world-wide fame, 
graduated with honor and was admitted to the 
Bar. 

Thoroughly grounded in the details of law, and 
possessing a remarkable memory, Mr. Harrel be- 
came authority as one of the most able land law- 
yers of his day. He was also ranked as an expert 
civil engineer, and in all the various duties of 
life displayed rare executive ability. A public- 
spirited and progressive citizen, he entered ar- 
dently into discussions of political questions, and 
was a Whig. lie and his good wife, both members 
of the Old-school Presbyterian Church, were al- 
ways active in the promotion of social and benevo- 
lent enterprise. Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Harrel were 
the parents of the following sons and daughters: 
Alfred II., the eldest, was born in 1806, and died 
in 1836; Saphronia, born in 1808, died in Cooper 
County, Mo., in the year 1872; John E. and 
Paulina C. (twins), born in 1810, lived to a good 
old age, John dying in 1880; our subject is next in 
the order of birth, and came into the home of his 
father and mother in 1812; Albert, born in 1814, 
died in 1824; Emmeline, born in 1816, died in 
1818; George, born in 1819, died in 1864. The 
latter was shot while in command of the Fourteenth 
Regiment. He had entered the volunteer service 
during the Civil War with the rank of Captain, and 



224 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



liad received tUe deserved pi-omotion to the posi- 
tion of Colonel, but while gallantly cheering his 
regiment in its advance to the front at the battle 
of Cedar Creek, fell mortally wounded. He was a 
brilliant and successful lawyer, and had been a 
Representative for his county and Senatorial Dis- 
trict, and his untimely death was a public loss. 
Amanda was the youngest of the children of Isaac 
Harrel, and was born in 1820, and died the same 
yeai-. 

Our subject, W. C. Harrel, came to Missouii in 
1872. Death had robbed him of his wife, and the 
Civil AVar had almost ruined him financiallj'. In 
his Kentuck}"^ home he had owned thirt3'-one 
slaves, and cultivated his plantation of six hun- 
dred acres, raising large quantities of tobacco. 
Now reduced in worldly goods, he began the bat- 
tle of life anew, and with his accustomed energy 
and determination to overcome all obstacles to 
success, once more gained a competence, and has 
been able to provide liberally for all his children, 
aiding each one in starting out in life. He pur- 
chased three hundred and tvyenty acres of excel- 
lent land, which he has given to his children, and, 
residing upon the homestead, enjoj's the society of 
a host of friends, who fully appreciate his gener- 
ous nature and sterling integrity of character. 
Mr. Harrel was married in the year 1840 to Miss 
Caroline C. McElwain, who was born in 1819, 
and became the mother of eight sons and daugh- 
ters. The brothers and sisters are: George A., 
born in 1841, a physician, who resides in Tren- 
ton, Ky., and has also made his home in Brooklyn, 
N. y., and Toronto, Canada, graduating from 
a medical course in the two last-named cities. He 
served two years in the Civil War, and was cap- 
tured at Vicksburg. James T., born in 1844, is a 
fai-mer and stock-dealer in Trenton, Ky., where 
he has a family. He also served in the Civil War. 
Augusta T., born in 1846, lives with her father, 
and is an accomplished lady, and finished her 
schooling at the female college at Greenville, K}'. 
Isaac, born in 1848, has a family, and is a farmer 
of Clay Countj'. E. P., born in 1850, is a resident 
of Clay County. John M., born in 1855, is the 
Representative for Clay County, and, living upon 
the homestead, is a prosperous general agricul- 



turist aud stock-raiser. Lee, born in 1857, is Pas- 
tor of the Baptist Church at Plattsburgh, Mo., and 
is a graduate of William Jewell College at Lib- 
erty, Mo. Constant in duty, the Rev. Lee Harrel 
has been absent from Sabbath services but eleven 
times in six 3'ears of hard pastoral work. Mary 
B., the youngest child of our subject, born in 1862, 
is at home. 

For several j-ears Mr. Harrel was an active mem- 
ber of the Ancient Free & Accepted M.asons, but 
advancing years prevent his presence at the meet- 
ings of the lodge. He and his wife were members 
of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and were 
liberal supporters of that religious organization. 
Mrs. Harrel was of Irish descent, her father hav- 
ing been born in Londonderry, but emigrating at 
an early age, arrived in America in 1798, and lo- 
cated in Baltimore, Md. Our subject and his fam- 
ily are all highly respected, and in their several 
localities command the esteem and confidence of 
the,general public, who appreciate their worth, in- 
telligence and ability. After the various vicissi- 
tudes of his mainly prosperous and honored career, 
our subject can in the evening of his life congratu- 
late himself as possessing the genuine will and na- 
tive resolution of the true American citizen, whom 
business losses only stimulate to increased etfoi't 
and final victory. 



^p^ORDON CLEVENGER. As a successful 
farmer and stock-raiser, Mr. Clevenger oc- 
cupies a position of prominence among the 
residents of Ray County, where the most of his 
active life has been passed. The farm which he 
owns and operates is located on township 52, 
range 29, and here he was born August 18, 1853. 
His ancestors for many generations resided in Ten- 
nessee, and in that State his grandparents, Richard 
and Sally Clevenger, were born, reared and mar- 
ried. 

In 1818, accompanied by his family, (Jrand- 
father Clevena:er removed to Missouri, making the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



225 



ti-i|) by boat up the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers 
to Ray Count}-, where lie entered one hundred and 
sixty acres of land near the present home of our 
subject. A poor man, with a large family depend- 
ent upon his exertions, he was forced to put forth 
the most strenuous efforts to " keep the wolf 
from the door." The county at thatearly day was 
still the "happy hunting grounds" of the red 
men, who had not yet retreated before advancing 
civilization. Bears, deer, wild turkeys, wolves and 
other wild animals abounded, and as Grandfather 
Clevenger was an unerring shot, he kept the fam- 
ily larder supplied with game of all kinds. The 
few white settlers who had located in the county 
were all personally known to him, and he enjoyed 
their respect and esteem. 

The father of our subject was born in Cocke 
County, Tenn., in March, 1807, and was one of 
seven children who lived to mature years, namely: 
.John, Pitman and Moses, now deceased; William; 
Lettie, formerly the wife of Edwin Odell, but now 
deceased; Xancy, who was three times married and 
is now deceased; and Rachel, the wife of Benja- 
min Odell. The father of this family was a Dem- 
ocrat and a prominent man in his community. He 
was a member of the Primitive Baptist Church, 
and donated the property on which the Baptist 
Church and cemetery are now located. William 
Clevenger received no educational advantages in 
his youth and never attended school even for one 
term, as he was obliged to aid his father in the 
farm work. He remained with his parents until 
he was about seventeen, when he started out in the 
world for himself. 

The first marriage of William Clevenger united 
him with Miss Dorcas Norris, who bore him two 
children, William Anderson .and Nancy, the latter 
being the wife of Jack McCorkle. The wife and 
mother was killed b}' negroes belonging to her 
husband; the murderers were condemned to death 
and the execution of this sentence at Richmond 
was the second affair of the kind in Ray County. 
William Clevenger chose as his second wife Miss 
Nancy McCorkle, who was born in INIissouri, and 
they became the parents of eleven children, viz.: 
John; Redmond and Samuel, deceased; George; 
Franklin, deceased; Martha, who first married 



William Trimble, and afterward became the wife 
of Joseph Pettigrew; Gordon, of this sketch; 
Elizabeth and Howard, who have passed from 
earth; J.asper,and Franklin (second) deceased. Two 
of the sons served in the Union army during the 
Civil War, and Franklin died while in the ser- 
vice. 

Sixty acres entered from the Government com- 
prised the original farm of William Clevenger, and 
he added thereto until he is now the owner of one 
hundred and eighty-six acres, all of which are im- 
proved with the exception of ten acres. He is a 
man of good judgment and marked business abili- 
ties, and is widely known as one of the worthy 
pioneers of Ra}- Count}', where he has resided since 
his boyhood. Politically, he is a Republican. In 
his religious connections he is identified with the 
Primitive Baptist Church as one of its most active 
and influential members. 

The subject of this sketch remained with his 
parents until he reached manhood, when he rented 
land of his father and started out for himself. His 
marriage in 1875 united him with Miss Sarah E. 
Sisk, who w.as born in Ray County, the daughter 
of Bartlett and Sally (Hightower) Sisk, natives re- 
spectively of Tennessee and Ray County, Mo. 
Eight children have blessed the union of Mr. and 
Mrs. Clevenger, namely: Era, Maggie, Addie, 
Hugh, Joseph, Fannie, Andrew and Roy. Like 
his father, our subject is a member of the Primi- 
tive Baptist Church, and like him he adheres with 
loj'altj' to the princii)les of the Republican part}-. 

After his marriage, our subject resided for a 
short time in Kansas, and has also made his home 
in other places. But the land of his birth is, in 
his opinion, one of the fairest spots on earth, and 
he returned hither about three years ago with the 
intention of here passing his remaining years. His 
large, well-cultivated farm consists of three hun- 
dred and eight-six acres, some of which is devoted 
to the pasturage of stock, while the remainder is 
placed under excellent cultivation. As a farmer 
and stock-raiser, Mr. Clevenger brings to his work 
keen discrimination and the latest methods; the 
consequence is that he annually harvests large 
crops of the various cereals and always keeps on 
his place good grades of stock. He and his esti- 



226 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



m 



i 



niable wife are members of the Primitive Baptist 
Church. As a supporter of Republican principles, 
he takes a prominent part in the local work of 
that party and contributes his support to those 
measures calculated to promote the welfare of the 
community. 



♦^^i@-^g1E 



'SHERRY BROWN. The home of this gentle- 
man is located on section 14, Grape Grove 
Township, Ray County, and is distin- 
guished for the cultured interests and 
pleasures that make it an ideal meeting-pl.ace for 
the best spirits in the locality. The home itself is 
well calculated to make one feel comfortable and 
at one's best, and the four amiable young ladies, 
who, under the chaperonage of their capable mother, 
attract the life of the locality, area sutlicient reason 
for its popularity. 

Mr. Brown is a native of Richland County, 
Ohio, and was born Novembei- 14, 1832. He is a 
son of John Brown, who was born in Penus^'lva- 
nia in 1812, about the time that his father lost his 
life on the high seas during the War of 1812. 
John Brown was of a mechanical turn of mind 
and manufactured sickles. He subsequently be- 
came a blacksmith and wagon-maker, and moving 
to Ohio settled in Richland County at an early day. 
He thence proceeded by the overland route to Mis- 
souri about 1840 and settled in Ray County, but 
subsequently moved to Richmond, where he died 
in August, 1890. He served as Postmaster at 
Tinne3''s Grove, and was one of the organizers of 
the Methodist Church here. His wife, formerly 
Matilda Jane Snoddy, was a native of Richland 
County, Ohio, and a member of an old pioneer 
family of that locality. She now resides in Car- 
roll County at the .age of seventy-two years. 

Perry Brown is one of a family that consisted 
of five sons and four daughters. The six chil- 
dren that survive are scattered, some in California 
and some in Missouri. A lad when coming to 
Missouri, the first school that our subject attended 
was held in the i>riniitive log building with the 



crudest appliances for getting an education, but 
land was rich and fertile and the forests were filled 
with game, so that the actual necessities of living 
were not so diflicult to gain. Brought up as a 
farmer, he followed that as a young man, but in 
1855 launched into the mercantile business at 
Tinney's Grove. There he was employed until the 
breaking out of the war, when he entered the State 
militia, iu which he served until the close of hostili- 
ties. After the war he resumed his mercantile 
pursuits, continuing thus engaged until 1882. He 
w.as in business in Chillicothe for about two years, 
and afterward came to the farm on which he still 
resides. 

The Brown estate comprises four hundred and 
twent}' acres, all of wliich is in the best condition, 
highly productive and bearing excellent build- 
ings. It is indeed an ideal country residence. 
Our subject was married in November, 1867, his 
bride being Margaret J. Goodman, of Charleston, 
111. Her people, who were Kentuckians, settled in 
Illinois before the war. The four children that have 
graced this union are, Bessie, Cora, Mamie and 
Jennie. All have received the best of educational 
advantages, and Miss Cora is a fine musician and 
has an excellent reputation as a teacher. 



1^^-^ 



If/OHN C. LEFORGEE. Whether as a sol- 
dier during the late war, when he fought 
to sustain the principles he deemed right, 
' or as a peaceful citizen pursuing the occu- 
pation of a farmer, our subject has shown him- 
self to be a man worthy the confidence of his friends 
and acquaintances. He was born iu Fleming 
County, Ky., November 17, 1843, and is the son 
of Abraham and Martha (Porter) Leforgee, the 
former born in Fleming County in 1812, and the 
latter in the same county in 1810. The education 
of the father vvas acquired in the common schools 
of that State, he meanwhile living with his par- 
ents upon the home place and assisting in the 
farm work. He remained at home until it was 
broken up by that dread scourge, cholera, which 



K>ETRA1T AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



227 



carried away liis father, mother and two sisters in 
quiclt succession in 1833, Abraham being the sole 
nurse and attendant during that awful time. Upon 
hira, too, fell the sorrowful dutj' of digging the 
graves and burying his loved dead. 

In his youth Abraham Leforgee worised in a 
saw and grist mill, and thus gained his start in 
life. October 15. 1833, he married Martha, daugh- 
ter of James and Rebecca Porter. Kentucky con- 
tinued to be his home until 1872, when he re- 
moved to Macon County, 111., locating in the city 
of Decatur, and making his home with a son, where 
he died August 15, 1874. His wife survived him 
a few years, dying January 3, 1878. He was an 
Elder in the Presbyterian Church, which organi- 
zation he joined in boyhood. His wife also lived 
and died a faithful member of that church. In 
politics he was a strong Democrat, and stood firmlj' 
by the nominees of that party. His father, Jesse 
Leforgee, went from Pennsylvania to Kentucky 
in an early daj'. 

Our subject received Ins education in the ordi- 
nary district school. At the age of eighteen he 
entered the Confederate army, enlisting in Com- 
panj' C, Second Kentucky Mounted Rifles, under 
his brother, Capt. Leforgee. He fought in many 
skirmishes and battles; rode with Wheeler around 
Rosecrans, and with Morgan in several raids, but 
not in the raid into Ohio, and w.as with him at 
(Treeneville,Tenn., when he was killed; j-etin all his 
perils our subject was never wounded, nor was he 
ever taken prisoner. He remained with his com- 
pany until the close of the war, when he returned 
home and resumed the duties he had laid down 
four years before. 

In the year 1867 Mr. Leforgee married Miss 
Emma, daughter of Richard and Mary (Adams) 
Money, all natives of Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. 
Leforgee are the parents of four children, namely: 
Lula, wife of J. E. Austin, of R.ay County; Ada 
Lee, wife of M. M. Keel, of Ray County; James 
R. and Noble E. Their daughter, Mrs. Austin, is 
the mother of three children: Bessie, Maud and 
Amanda. Our subject came to Ray Count3' in 
1869, rented land near Camden for two years, and 
in 1875 settled u[)OU liis present farm, purch.asing 
eight}' acres of well-improved land in township 



51, range 28. His membership is in the Presby- 
terian Church, and he has ever been a firm sup- 
porter Of tiie doctrines of that religious organiza- 
tion, and an active worker in its behalf. The 
platform of the Democratic party harmonizes with 
his own political views, and his support of that 
party is as hearty as it is unqualified. 



eHARLES SEVIER. This extensive agricul- 
turist and highly successful stock-raiser of 
Ray County is largelj' identified with the 
local progress and improvements of his immediate 
neighborhood and locality. He was born at Ft. 
Leavenworth, Kan., September 30, 1832, and is of 
French extraction. His paternal grandfather, 
Robert Sevier, served with distinction in North 
Carolina against Cornwallis, and was one of the 
heroes of the Revolution. The Seviers are a brave 
race, and various members of the immediate family 
have at different times served their country upon 
the field of war. Nor have they been less distin- 
guished in civil life. Maj. Robert Sevier, the fa- 
ther of our suloject, received many important of- 
fices of trust, whose duties he ever performed with 
efficient fidelity. Charles Sevier came with his fa- 
ther to Missouri in 1840, and locating in Rich- 
mond, Ray County, there received his education, 
attending the Richmond College and the Masonic 
Institute, of Lexington. 

In 1853, our subject entered the Circuit Clerk's 
and Recorder's office (ex-offlcio). as assistant to 
his father, then an incumbent of those offices. In 
a comparative!}' brief time, he was appointed his 
father's deput}' and continued as such until 1865, 
when he engaged in general farming and stock- 
raising upon his valuable landed property near 
Richmond. He owns an immense tract of land, 
and operates two thousand acres, much of which is 
in the immediate vicinity of Richmond. May 
16, 1879, Maj. Sevier passed away, his death being 
deeply mourned as a public loss. He was an in- 
telligent, courageous and upright man and a pub- 
lic-spirited and noble citizen. During the years 



228 



POKTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1879 and 1880, the time of our subject was devoted 
almost exclusively to the settlement of his father's 
large and valuable estate, and he was well qualified 
to administer upon the property. 

Mr. Sevier was married in 1856 to Miss Susan L. 
ISIurrell, of La Fayette County, Mo. The pleasant 
and happy home was blessed with the presence of 
two children, who were in the order of their birth: 
Samuel M., born August 10, 18,59, and a graduate 
of Kemper Family- Sciiool at Boonville; and Isabel, 
wlio was born January 5, 1862. The wife of our 
subject, a most estimable lady, died June 4, 1866. 
Mr. Sevier was married January 28, 1869, to Miss 
Emma A. Dines, of Ray County. She is an accom- 
plished lady and has an extended circle of true 
friends. Mr. and Mrs. Sevier have had six chil- 
dren. Robert was born December 1, 1869; George 
F., July 28, 1872; Mary R., July 27, 1876; Ann II., 
April 24, 1878; Una, September 12, 1881; and 
(Charles A., January 3, 1884. These intelligent 
children are busily preparing themselves to meet 
life, well armed with the education which assists 
them to overcome obstacles. 

Our subject is identified witli tlic Presbyterian 
Church, wliile liis wife is a member of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church South. They are ever fore- 
most in tlie promotion of benevolent enterprise 
and Christian worli. The elegant family residence 
and the spacious and well-kept grounds are the 
scene of many social gatherings, the children and 
their parents possessing a multitude of friends. 
An honored and self-reliant man, public-spirited 
and enterprising, Mr. Sevier has worthily won his 
way upward, and has long possessed the esteem 
and confidence of his fellow-citizens. 



(^^^HOMAS K. ROSS, an energetic and suc- 
//^5^ cessful general agriculturist and stock- 
^^^ raiser, owns a valuable homestead of two 
hundred and sevent}' acres and a half, located in 
township ■')4, range 32. He is widely known as 
a longtime resident of Clay County, and a thor- 



oughly upright and honored citizen. Our subject 
was born in Madison County, Ky., in 1834, and 
is the son of William and Nancy (Hawkins) Ross. 
William Ross was born in 1809, and his wife, a 
native of Madison County, Ky., was born in 1814 

The father of our subject was a native Virgin- 
ian, and came with his parents to Kentucky in a 
very early day. His father died when he was 
about fourteen 3-ears of age, and from that time he 
made his own way in the world. His first employ- 
ment was running an engine in a mill. In 1840 he 
came to Clay County, and bought land near where 
our subject now lives. Here he ambitiously en- 
gaged in the double avocation of a farmer and 
miller, running both a fiour and saw mill. He 
dammed Smith Fork of Plalte River and re-built 
upon an old mill-site. Living a life of busy use- 
fulness he gained the respect and good-will of all 
who knew him. 

A gang of horse thieves and desperate charac- 
ters infested Clay County at that time, and were 
known as the Schackelford and Callaway gang. 
In the fall of 1854, William Ross and son with 
several neighbors met these brutal men in Smith- 
ville, and in the encounter Mr. Ross was shot sev- 
eral times, and his son and a young named Doug- 
las were killed. Three of the murderers were 
seized bj^ the enraged citizens of the country, and 
were all hung upon one tree in Smithville. 

The parents of our subject were married in 
1830, the mother being a daughter of Philip and 
Nancy (Hrooks) Hawkins. To them were born 
nine children, as follows: Squire J., who was 
killed; Thomas K., our subject; Eveline, wife of 
B. F. Rollins; Andrew B.; Catherine, wife of II. 
J. Hawkins; Mattie H., wife of Samuel Moore; 
James M.; William D.; and Elizabeth W., wife of 
J. 1). Megget. The father was a member of the 
Masonic order in good and regular standing, and 
politically was a firm Democrat. He died in 1876, 
of paralysis, his wife having passed away five 
j-ears before him. 

Our subject remained upon the homestead un- 
til he had attained manhood, when he bought 
eighty acres of good land, and there engaged in 
agricultural pursuits. About that time he was 
united in marriage with l\Iiss Mary S.. daughter 





c . 



a^r 



-^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, 



231 



of Lee and Susan (Penn) Rollins. Their home 
was blessed by the birtii of seven intelligent chil- 
dren. Charles A. was the eldest of the family; 
Jennie became the wife of George W. King; Mat- 
tie L. married Rice Barnard; Kicliard, William, 
Uirdie and Cannic complete the list of sons and 
daughters, who together with their father and 
mother enjoy the confidence and esteem of a large 
circle of friends and acquaintance. Our subject 
and his wife are valued members of the Christian 
Church, and are prominent and liberal supporters 
in the extension of the good work of that relig- 
ious denomination. In social and benevolent en- 
terprises of their neighborhood and vicinity, they 
take an active part and are numbered among the 
leading residents of the county. Politically, Mr. 
Ross afliliates with the Democrats, although his 
earnest desire is that the best men shall receive 
the offices of importance, thereby insuring to this 
great republic a peaceful and prosperous adminis- 
tration. 



^p^ EORGE W. CLARK belongs to a well-known 
[|j |=- pioneer family of Ray County, whose Ye\> 
^^j) resentatives for generations have been dis- 
tinguished for valor and patriotism, his grand- 
father having been a Revolutionary soldier and his 
father and four uncles soldiers in the War of 1812. 
He himself and eldest son served in the War of 
the Rebellion. Mr. Clark was born in Scott 
County, Ind., November 26, 1817. He is a son of 
John Clark, of Brownsville, Pa., that town being a 
fort at the time of his birth. Grandfather John 
Clark emigrated to Indiana while tliat State was 
still a Territory, and settled in the midst of a for- 
est in tlie southern part of the State, where he 
built a fort to protect his family and the settlers 
from the incursions of the Indians. He there died 
at a ripe old age. 

Our subject's father followed farming in Indi- 
ana until coming to Missouri. He settled in La 
Fayette County in 1846 and the following year 
moved to Ray County, where he died in 1869 at 

a 



the age of seventj'-seven years. His marriage 
took place in Indiana, his bride being Miss Eliza- 
beth James, a Kentuckian by birtli, whose father, 
George James, settled in Kentucky simultineously 
with Daniel Boone. He was a member of the first 
colony that was established there, and subsequentl3' 
moved to Southern Indiana and died in Stark 
County. Mrs. Clark died in 1852. Both she and 
her husband were members of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church. 

George AV. Clark is the eldest of a family of 
nine children, of whom there were five daughters 
and four sons. Three of his sisters are now living 
in California. Our subject was reared on a farm 
in Scott Count}-^, Ind., and as the educational ad- 
vantages were limited at that early time, his 
school days were very abbreviated. He was reared 
in the woods and early learned to hunt. The 
amount of game he killed would make a modern 
hunter pale with envy. He came to Missouri in 
1836 on a prospecting tour, and returned again in 
1841, making the journey hither from Peoria on 
foot, and he tells that in walking througli the for- 
ests he sometimes made as much as thirty miles a 
day. As one can imagine, there were then long 
distances between houses, and he frequently had to 
wrap his blanket about him and lie down in the 
woods with the sky as his only roof. Tlie north- 
ern part of the State was then full of Indians. He 
removed to Ray County in 1847 and has since 
lived here. He then purchased one hundred and 
thirty acres of land on section 2, receiving his pa- 
pers direct from the Government and paying 
for the tract $400. The first home was a small 
log cabin, and although it was easy to keep the 
larder supplied with meat it was a long distance 
to mill. From time to lime he added to his orig- 
inal purchase until he had five hundred acres. 

July 25, 1843, Mr. Clark married l\Iiss Mary 
Stormes, of Scott County, Ind. Her parents were 
from Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Clark have gone 
through life together now for forty-nine j^ears and 
tlieir content at the partnership is as great as ever. 
They have had seven sons and three daugliters. 
Those who are living are: John A., Willis, George, 
Jacob, Sanborn, Julia and Mary J. Our subject is 
a Republican in his political opinions. In 1862 



232 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



he enlisted in the war, joining the State Militia on 
the Union side, and served until the close of hos- 
tilities. As five of his brothers-in-law, who were 
also his neighbors, went to the war, he stayed as 
near home as possible in order to look after the 
twent}' children belonging to the different families, 
and went only when absolutely necessary. Our 
subject is now the owner of three hundred and 
twenty-three acres of land. Although himself de- 
nied that right of an American citizen, a good 
education, he has given to his children each a 
good start and every advantage possible. 



ARRISON WILSON, a prosperous general 
agriculturist and stock-raiser of Clay 
County, located on section 9, township 53, 
range 30, is widely known as an energetic, 
able and upright citizen. He was born July 27, 
1826, upon what is known in this vicinity as the 
Old Croley Place. He was one of nine children 
born to John and Nancy (Croley) Wilson, who 
with a brother of the husband's came to Easton 
in a very early day. John Wilson settled in Mis- 
souri in 1820, and was married in Clay County, 
where he owned thirteen hundred acres of land in 
the neighborhood of Harrison Wilson's homestead, 
and two hundred east of here. He spent the 
greater part of his life in general farming and 
stock-raising, but served his country bravely in 
the War of 1812. 

John Wilson was a public-spirited and progress- 
ive citizen and was especially noted for his liberal- 
it}' in the support of schools, colleges and churches. 
He and his excellent wife were valued members of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and were 
ever foremost in aiding in its good work. The 
Mt. Vernon Church near their home was especially 
favored with their care and generous contributions. 
An ardent promoter of educational advancement, 
Mr. Wilson assisted in building the college at Green- 
ville, and also aided in the maintenance of the 
William .Jewell College, at Liberty. Politically he 
was a Democrat and a strong advocate of the prin- 



ciples of the party, and during the Civil War was 
in sympatliy with the South. He was a man of 
more than ordinary ability and attainments, and 
when he passed away his death was mourned as a 
public loss by the people among whom he had 
spent the greater portion of his useful and hon- 
ored life. 

Our subject was prospered early in life, and be- 
came the owner of half a section of land, where 
he engaged in the pursuit of general agriculture 
and stock-raising. Later he added to Lis property, 
then owning four hundred and fifty acres, and 
afterward purchased three hundred acres and gave 
this land to his two sons. He also at one time 
owned real estate a little north of Easton, in 
Buchanan Count}'. 

Mr. Wilson was united in marriage in 1852 
with Miss Mary J. Gibson, a resident of Buchanan 
County, and a daughter of George and Jemima 
(Lane) Gibson. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson became the 
parents of two sons, but one of whom now survives. 
John L., born in March, 1853, was married toFran- 
nie P. Gow, and left four children to mourn his 
death. George E., born in 1855, married Miss Lydia 
Brooks in 1883, and resides with his parents. He 
is a graduate of Greenville College and is an able 
and progressive man. His marriage has been 
blessed by the birth of three bright and promising 
children, two of whom are attending the excellent 
schools of the home neighborhood. George Wil- 
son owns four hundred acres of valuable land, 
and is not only a farmer but devotes a portion of 
his time to trading and ship)iing. Politically he 
is a Democrat, and is a member of the Vigilance 
Committee. He is also actively connected with 
the F. & L. U. 

Harrison Wilson is a Baptist in religious con- 
viction, as is also his good wife, and both are 
highly valued members of the church and active 
workers in the cause. Mr. Wilson is a Democrat, 
and always interested in local and national issues 
Although past sixty-six 3'ears of age, he can read 
without spectacles, and is hale and hearty, having 
no bad habits, neither smoking nor drinking. A 
citizen of integrity and honor, ever using his in- 
fluence in behalf of the uplifting and education of 
the masses, and ever ready to aid in local progress 



PORTRAIT AND BTOGRAPinCAL RECORD. 



233 



and reform, lie has worthily won the lasting es- 
teem and confidence of the general public, and has 
in the county where he has passed most of his 
life a host of true and earnest friends. 






■il/OHN P. HEWLETT. Years of travel and 
residence in various parts of the country 
finally ended with John P. Hewlett, when 
^^ he settled down in Richmond, Mo. lie was 
a member of the firm of Hewlett & Kellar, who 
conducted a livery, omnibus and feed stable at 
Richmond. Our subject was born in Washington 
County, Kj'., on the .3d of July, 1839, a son of 
Thomas B. and Nancy M. (Flournoy) Hewlett. 
Tiie father was born in Hanover County, Va., in 
1815, a son of Terry Hewlett, who was of Scotch 
descent. The mother was a daughter of Ma the w 
Flournoy, of Kentucky, and both she and her 
luisband were early settlers of Kentucky. 

Thomas B. Hewlett removed with his family to 
Ray County, Mo., in 1842, and settled eight miles 
north of Richmond, where he carried on general 
farming, and at the same time did a saw and 
grist mill business. He resided on the farm con- 
tinuously until his death in 1884, in the sixty- 
seventh year of his age. His wife died in 1844, 
ui)On the same farm. John P. Hewlett, who is 
the second son and the third of five children, re- 
mained at home until of age, attending the dis- 
trict schools during their sessions. Upon attain- 
ing his majority he was taken into partnership 
with his father in the grist and saw mill, which 
continued until about three years before the 
death of the latter. In 186,5 he made an overland 
trip to California in a wagon train, prompted by 
a desire to see the country. Returning in 1867 
he stopped at the old home, where he remained 
nineteen years, having charge of the mill and look- 
ing after the farm; then, in 1886, he sold out farm 
and business and removed to Richmond. 

Mr. Hewlett bought an interest the succeed- 
ing year in two livery stables, and soon after con- 



solidated them, and with his partner also owned 
tlie 'bus line. He foritied a partnership in 1888 
with AVilliam H. Kellar, under the firm name of 
Hewlett & Kellar, and this firm now emploj'ed 
from twenty-five to thirty head of horses in their 
iiack, omnibus, buggy and other livery work, be- 
side doing a large business in boarding and feed- 
ing. Mr. Hewlett sold his interest in the business 
to his partner, Mr. Kellar, in January, 1893. Our 
subject was married in 1866 to Miss Alice Dar- 
neal, of Richmond, daughter of Dr. Darneal. Mr. 
and Mrs. Hewlett have no children. Their resi- 
dence is a neat and attractive home in the north- 
ern part of the city. 

Mr. Hewlett is a firm believer in the principles 
of the Democratic party, and unswervingly sup- 
ports its nominees. He is a thrift3', go-ahead 
man, who seeks to improve his condition only by 
straight and upright methods. He is a man who 
would get along anywhere, because he is not 
afraid to put his hand to any kind of honest work. 
The amount of information he has picked up in 
travel and in mingling with men is very great, 
and his views on current events are alwa^'s inter- 
esting. It may be stated that his father, Thomas 
Hewlett, was twice married, and had six children 
by the first marriage and four by the second, the 
latter wife being Rhoda A. (Trigg) Hewlett, who 
was born and reared in Saline County, Mo. 



THOMAS D. WOODSON, the honored ex- 
President of the Ray County Savings 
Bank, early engaged in tiie mercantile busi- 
ness in Missouri, and has for thirty years made 
his home in Richmond. Here he profitably en- 
g.agcd in merchandising until 1878, wlien he de- 
voted himself exclusively to banking. Our sub- 
ject is the son of Robert S. and Hulda Ann 
(Young) AVoodson, and was born in Woodson- 
ville. Hart County, Ky., March 10, 1828. His fa- 
ther was a native of Goochland County-, Va., born 
November 26, 1796, and removed with his par- 
ents to the present site of Woodsonville, tiien in 



234 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Barren County, Ky., in 1804. Grandfather Thomas 
Woodson was born twenty miles above the city of 
Riclimond, Ya., upon the .James River, and died 
in Woodsonville at the advanced age of eighty- 
five years. The paternal grandmother, also a na- 
tive Virginian, passed away in the same village. 

Tlie mother of our subject died September 14, 
1888, at the residence of our subject in Rich- 
mond, Mo. The maternal great-grandfather, Jesse 
Saunders, married Mary, only child of Anthony 
Levilian, and the paternal great-grandfather, Mat- 
thew Woodson, married Elizabetli Levilian, onl}- 
child of John Peter Levilian. The paternal an- 
cestors, great-grandfather, grandfather and father 
of our subject, were all Close-communion Baptists 
of the old school, and were earnest, upright and 
conscientious Christi.an men. Tiie parents of Mr. 
AVoodson had nine children, three of whom died 
in infancj'. The record of the surviving sons 
and daughters is as follows: Jane Ann, the wife 
of John H. Ardinger, a merchant of Woodsonville, 
Ky.,who later became a prominent citizen of Lex- 
ington, Mo., and now resides in Texas; Phillip J.; 
Martha A., wife of the late Gov. Austin A. King, 
of Missouri; our subject; Elizabeth Levilian, wife 
of Shelby A. Jackson, M. D., of Ohio County, Ky.; 
Robert Hyde, the youngest son, who joined the 
Con federate army at the beginning of the Civil AVar 
and received a fatal wound at the battle of Cham- 
pion Hill, Miss. He fell into the hands of the 
enemy and died in the sjjringtime of youth. 

Grandfather Thomas Woodson was the founder 
of the place which bears his name, and which was 
once a thriving and attractive village, situated on 
a high plateau, overlooking the surrounding coun- 
try, and pleasant!}' located upon the banks of the 
Green River, in Hart County, Ky. Our subject, 
Thomas D., volunteering in 1847 in the war against 
Mexico, served with bravery and fidelity in the 
Fourth Kentuck}' Infantry, under Capts. Pat Gard- 
iner and Thomas Mayfield, until peace was re- 
stored, when he came to Mi-ssouri and located in 
Kingston, Caldwell County, there engaging in the 
mercantile business. He remained in Kingston 
until the spring of 18.52, when he crossed the plains 
with a train of ox-wagons, bound for California. 

Arriving safely in the Golden State, Mr. Wood- 



son tarried upon the Pacific Coast until January, 
1854, when he returned to his former vocation 
in Kingston, and continued there until 1863. He 
then came to Richmond, Ray County, where he 
conducted a store until the fall of 1878, at which 
tune he sold out his interest to Messrs. Holt and 
Hughes. In 1868 he had assisted in the organiza- 
tion of the Ray County Savings Bank, and was 
chosen its Vice-president. He held this position 
until he had disposed of his other business, when 
he was elected President of the flourishing insti- 
tution. Mr. Woodson owns valuable farming prop- 
erties in different parts of the State, and has an 
attractive home in Richmond. 

Our subject was united in marriage with Miss 
Sabina L. Hughes, a native of Clark County, Kj'., 
December 5, 1854. Mr. and Mrs. Woodson were 
blessed with children, of whom three are living: 
L3dia Annie, born September 27, 1855; Harry 
Phillip, March 23, 1859; and Virginia Eliz.ibeth, 
September 11, 1870. The estimable and refined 
wife and mother passed away April 11, 1871, deeply 
mourned by all who knew her. Our subject is a 
valued and consistent member of the Southern 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and ever an impor- 
tant factor in all worthy enterprises, whether so- 
cial, benevolent, religious or purely of a business 
nature, is highly regarded and commands the con- 
fidence of his fellow-citizens. 



-^-^ 



^>-^^<l 



(X\ 1^1 LLIAM JACKSON HURT, our subject, is 
\rJ// a practical farmer of Ray County, and 
^^^ thoroughly understands his chosen occu- 
pation, in which he has met with success as the re- 
sult of having applied himself industriously to what- 
ever duties he had in hand. His home is pleas- 
antly located on section 19, township 53, range 
29. Mr. Hurt was born in Surry County, N. C, 
June 22, 1821, and is the son of William Hurt, 
a pioneer of Surry County. Our subject was 
reared there, and gained his education in the com- 
mon schools of the home district. About 1844 he 
came to Missouri, and with a brother located in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



235 



Buchanan County, wliere lie remained about two 
years, and then went back to North Carolina. 
However, he soon returned to Missouri, and set- 
tled in Ray Count}', where he married Miss iNIary, 
daughter of Jackson Crowley, a pioneer farmer of 
Clay County, and an early settler there. 

After his marriage, our subject lived for two 
j'ears in Buchanan County, then came to Ra}' 
Countj' and bought from A. M. Fry, of St. Louis, 
the land where he now lives. At one time he 
owned three hundred and fifty acres, and is now 
owner of two hundred and fifty acres. When he 
purchased the land it was in a wild state, and he 
has made all the improvements himself — the fenc- 
ing, house, barn, etc. Our subject has been the 
father of eleven children, eight of whom are liv- 
ing: John William, a farmer of Clay County; Tom 
a merchant of Lawson; Riley, who follows farming 
pursuits in Clay County; Sarah, wife of William 
Jackson, of Clay County; Janie, the wife of James 
Clark, of Ray Count}'; Levora, who married John 
Lacy, and resides at home; Ella, the wife C. C. 
Crowley; and Daniel, a resident of Caldwell 
County. Elizabeth died when young; Mary and 
Kate died in infancy. 

In his religious preferences, Mr. Hurt some time 
since became identified with the Christian Church, 
and is a liberal supporter of that body. He is a 
member of the farmers' Mutual Benefit Associa- 
tion, and has strong faith in the future of that or- 
ganization. In politics he is a Democrat, and gives 
a ready support to the candidates of that party. 
Mr. Hurt is one of the oldest settlers of Ray County, 
and has always led a quiet, but very useful life. 
Always the friend of young people, he has not 
only set them an example in honesty and upright- 
ness of life, but has counseled them, urging the 
duty and the happiness of virtuous living. His be- 
loved wife is living to comfort and cheer his de- 
clining years. 

Formerly Mr. Hurt was a very extensive farmer, 
and now raises from four to six hundred barrels 
of corn a year. lie was the first man who "ever 
struck a lick" at the place where Lawson now 
stands. Mr. Hurt and a Mr. Clark were in the 
general merchandise business there for ten years, 
commencing;' when the Wabasii Rtiad reached that 



place. When he came to Missouri from North 
Carolina, he proceeded overland in wagons, starting 
May 1, and reaching here the 1st of August. 
When he went back to his native State, he induced 
some of his brothers and a brother-in-law to return 
with him, and they made the journey overland. 
The capital with which he started in life was a horse 
and a cow, so that all he has was made by his own 
exertions. Some bad luck has befallen him at var- 
ious times, but he has overcome all difficulties and 
now possesses ample means to carry himself and 
family through life. 



yKSLEY M. ALLISON, a prominent citizen 
and leading dry-goods merchant of Rich- 
mond, is a native of Missouri and has 
long been identified with the local enterprises and 
rapid growth of his home locality. He was born 
in Greenfield, Dade County, September 19, 1846, 
and is the youngest son of Mathias II. and Mary 
L. (Howland) Allison. The mother was a native 
of Massachusetts, and married in Tennessee, where 
the father of our subject was born. In 1834, the 
family were among the early settlers of Ray 
County, bnt in 1838 they located in Dade County, 
where the father engaged successfully in general 
agriculture and stock-raising. 

Mathias Allison occupied high official positions 
of trust, and in the performance of their various 
duties ever exhibited a faithful efficiency, wliich 
gained him the unlimited esteem and confidence of 
the general public. For twelve years he was County 
Treasurer, and served as Judge of the County 
Court for a number of years. He passed away, ii is 
death regretted as a public loss, in 1880, when in 
his sixty-ninth year. His devoted wife still sur- 
vives him, and resides in Dallas, Tex. She is in 
her eighty-fourth year and wonderfully well pro- 
served. Mr. and Mrs. Matliias Allison were the 
parents of three sons and five daughters, of whom 
our subject is the youngest. The boyhood of 
AVesley M. was passed mainly upon his father's 



236 



K)IITRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, 



farm in Dade County. He attended school in 
Greenfield, and at fifteen j'eavs of age began his 
mercantile experience in the leading store of T. J. 
Casey, and was also with Woodson Bros, for two 
years. 

Having arrived at man's estate, Mr. Allison 
married in 1868 Miss Mary L. Brown, a daughter 
of Col. Benjamin J. Brown, who was killed at Wil- 
son's Creek, in 1861. Soon after his marriage Mr. 
Allison removed to Millville, Ray County, and 
sold goods for eighteen months; then returning to 
Richmond located on a farm contiguous to the 
city and followed mercantile pursuits for two 
years, engaging in business as one of the firm of 
Mann & Allison. Later he removed to Lawson, 
Ray County, and there iiaudled dry goods until 
.January, 1886. Returning again to Richmond, he 
became Cashier of the Ray County Savings Bank, 
and continued in that responsible position for five 
years. He next engaged in the lumber business 
for two years, and in 1892 bought the stock of J. 
P. Kiger, and prosperously continues the business 
in the same store, which is a commodious building, 
22x100 feet in dimensions, and conveniently lo- 
cated for business purposes. May 28, 1892, Mr. 
Allison was nominated upon the Democratic ticket 
for the oflicial position of County Treasurer of 
Ray County and was elected in November follow- 
ing. He has long been (jrominent in educational 
matters and oftlciated as Trustee of his school dis- 
trict. 

The pleasant home of INIr. and Mrs. Allison has 
been blessed by the birth of eleven children, five 
daughters and six sons, as follows: Charles H., 
now in the store; Arden D.; Carl S., also engaged 
in the store .is assistant to his father; Wesley M., 
Jr.; Elmore D.: John H.; Flora B., Lillian, Carrie, 
Pink and Nellie. Our subject and his wife are 
valued members of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
and are foremost in promoting its good work. 
Their children are receiving the advantages of in- 
struction in the best schools of the State, and are 
fitting themselves for the self-reliant, active work 
of life. Mr. Allison is fraternally connected with 
the Masonic order, and is a member of Richmond 
Lodge No. 57. He is also a member of Lodge 
No. 208, L O. O. F., and both Avithm and without 



these time-honored societies has a host of true 
friends. A useful, honored and intelligent citi- 
zen, he has been intimately associated with the 
progress and development of the best interests of 
Ray County, and is widely known and highly re- 
spected for his efforts in behalf of public good, 
and is well worthy of any position of important 
trust which in the future may be given to his 
faithful care. 



;RANCIS M. LANG FORD. The merchant 
distributes throughout the world its various 
products, making each country familiar 
with the products of the other. Our subject is one 
of this great army of most necessary men, and in 
his establishment at Elmira carries a general stock 
of goods, including drugs. He is a son of Stephen 
M. Langford, who was born in East Tennessee, in 
1829, and was there reared, educated and married, 
his wife being Miss Elizabeth Slover. The father 
was a fanner in East Tennessee, and, coining to 
Missouri in 1851, located in Buchanan County, 
where he resumed that occupation. After two 
years he removed to Caldwell County, and there 
remained until 1862. 

At the opening of the Civil War, Stephen M. 
Langford enlisted in the Missouri Enrolled Mili- 
tia, raising a company, of which he was made Cap- 
tain. He was killed near Polo, on Crab Apple 
Creek, by bushwhackers who were concealed in the 
bushes. He was the father of seven children, four 
boys and three girls, five of whom are living, as 
follows: James A., a farmer residing in Heniy 
County, Mo.; William P., living in Hickory County, 
Mo.; our subject; Sarah I., wife of Dr. James, of 
AVest Plains, Mo.; and Minerva, wife of John R. 
Allen, a resident of Clinton Count}-, Mo. The fa- 
ther was a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and a most useful worker in that bod}-. 
The mother is living, in the enjoyment of good 
health, in Henry County, Mo. 

Our subject was born January 7, 1853, in 
Buchanan County, from whicli, at the age of one 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



237 



year, he was taken by his parents to Caldwell 
County, wliere he lived until sixteen. lie then re- 
turned to Buchanan County, where he attended 
school and afterward engaged in teaching. In 
1876, he came to Ray County and located at Lis- 
bonville, at which place he was a clerk in the store 
of Mr. Gordon, and later for Hurt i^' Allerton. 
Leaving their employ, he conducted a store for his 
brother and also served as Postmaster for eight 
j'cars. In the fall of 1887, the store was removed 
to Elmira, where Mr. Laugford resumed its man- 
agement, also being made Postmaster at Elmira. 
When his brother retired from business, he assumed 
entire control of the establishment, which he is still 
conducting with great efficiency and success. 

In 1877 Mr. Langford married Miss Martha J., 
daughter of Robert Ritchey,of St. Joseph, Mo. Of 
the children who have blessed their union, five 
survive, as follows: William, Roscoe, Ira, Andy J. 
and Cora. Stephen Marion died at the age of two 
years. Mr. Langford is a Democrat, being in full 
accord with the platform of principles adopted by 
that party. As a public-spirited and enterprising 
citizen, he is held in high esteem by the people of 
Elmira, and enjoj'S iheir entire confidence. 



]^+^[ 



^ HARLES B. SHOTWELL, M. D. This able 
{ ^ and successful physician and surgeon en- 



^^^ joys an extended practice in Richmond and 
the vicinity, and deservedly commands the es- 
teem and confidence of the community in which 
he was born and reared from childhood to the 
usefulness and honor of his mature manhood. 
Our subject was born January 5, 1857, upon a 
farm in Ray County, one mile west of Richmond. 
He is the eldest son of William and Amanda M. 
(McGee) Shotwell, old settlers of Missouri, the 
father having emigrated to this latter State from 
Kentucky in 1837. 

Charles B. was one in a family of four children, 
two sons and two daugliteis. His boyhood was 
spent upon his father's farm, and his opportunities 
for study were primariU' in the distriel school. 



Later he enjoyed the advantages of a High School 
course in Richmond, and on completing his studies 
was elected to the Chair of Mathematics in the 
Richmond High School, which i)osition he filled 
most acceptably for two years. At the expiration 
of that length of time he began the study of med- 
icine, reading in the office of Dr. Buchanan. After 
a short time he entered Rush Medical College at 
Chicago, and having taken a tiiree-years course, 
was graduated from that celebrated institution 
with the degree of M. D. 

Immediately succeeding his graduation. Dr. 
Shotwell was appointed House Surgeon of the 
Illinois Charitable E3'e and Ear Infirmary, in Chi- 
cago, and remained in the institution one year. 
He then entered into an excellent practice in Rich- 
mond, where his medical ability and surgical skill 
have gained him the confidence of his patients. 
Januaiy 1, 1885, Dr. Shotwell was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Carrie H., daughter of Charles 
Krieger, of Chicago. The Kriegers are of German 
descent and inherit the thrift and industry of their 
worthy ancestors and have long been numbered 
among the upright residents of that city. Mrs. 
Shotwell was born and lived in St. Joseph, Mich., 
until thirteen jxars of age, at which time her fa- 
ther moved with his familj' to Chicago. She is a 
lady highly esteemed and is an important social 
factor in their locality. Dr. and Mrs. Shotwell re- 
ceive a host of friends in their attractive home on 
Main Street. They have one daughter, Carol M. 

Although devoting himself assiduously to the 
relief of sick and suffering humanity, Dr. Shot- 
well is not unmindful of his duty as a true Amer- 
ican citizen, but gives thoughtful attention to the 
political issues of the day and affiliates with the 
good old party of which Thomas Jefferson was 
the great and honored founder. Dr. Shotwell at- 
tends the gatherings of the medical fraternity and 
is a valued member of the Ray County Medical 
Society and is also actively connected with tiie 
State Medical Association. Comparatively young 
in years, he has had an extended experience in the 
handling of various important specialties, and, 
aside from his general practice as a family- physi- 
cian, he is an excellent oculist and aurist and is 
thoroughly skilled in throat diseases, being, re- 



238 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



gaided as an expert in the treatment of the ej'e, 
ear and throat. He is United States Special Ex- 
amining Snrgeon of diseases of the eye and ear 
for a large scope of country in Northwestern Mis- 
souri. 






ELIAS HIGIITOWER. The pursuit of hus- 
bandry affords pleasure to the subject of 
" this sketch, who finds ample field for ob- 
servation in the annual unfolding of Nature's 
works and in the study of various facts connected 
with the improvement of domestic animals. He 
lives on section 10, township 53, range 29, in Ray 
County, and was born in this county, November 5, 
18.32. His father, Joseph Ilighlower, was born in 
South Carolina in 1808, and was the son of 
Thomas Hightower, a hero of the War of 1812, 
who took part in the battle of New Orleans under 
Gen. Jackson. 

Joseph Hightower removed from his native 
State to Virginia and when twelve years of age to 
East Tennessee, where he grew to manhood, re- 
ceiving instruction in tlie common schools of the 
country. In Tennessee he married Miss Elizabeth, 
daughter of Elias Clevenger, also one of the 
soldiers of the War of 1812. After a year had 
passed, he brought his wife to Ray Countj", Mo., 
with their child, Nancy, and settled near Missouri 
City, in the river bottoms. After remaining there 
a short time, he went to Caldwell County, where 
the Mormons drove hiin out. He returned to Ray 
County, where he located on a farm about two 
miles south of Vibbard,soon buying the farm upon 
which he afterward lived and finally died, it be- 
ing about six miles south of Vibbard. He was the 
father of twelve children, three of whom are living, 
namely: our subject; Samuel, living on the old 
home place; and Henrietta, widow of Jesse Odell. 
The father was a farmer throughout his entire life 
and was very successful in his work. He was a 
member of the Baptist Church, being a Deacon; his 
wife was also a member, and co-operated with him 
in religious work. 



Our subject was reared in this county and re- 
ceived a common-school education. In the year 
1853, he drove an ox-team across the plains to 
California, requiring three months and twenty 
days for the journey. Many hardships were en- 
countered, but were successfully resisted, and when 
he reached his destination he engaged in mining 
with veiy fair success. Returning to Missouri, he 
married Miss Nancy Ann Wyman,who died within 
a 3'ear. Immediately after he was married, he set- 
tled upon the place where he now lives, and which 
has been his continuous residence to date. 

Mr. Hightower was married in 1857 to Miss 
INIary F. Wyman, the sister of his first wife, and a 
native of Ray Count}', Mo. Her father, Christian 
Wyman, was born in Kentucky, January 12, 1800, 
and came to Ray County, Mo., about 1842. His 
father, Ilezekiah Wyman, was one of the brave 
soldiers of the War of 1812. He died in Ray 
County, Mo., at the advanced age of almost eigh- 
ty-four years. His beloved wife departed this life 
when about the same age as her husband. Her 
maiden name was Maria Rouner, and she was a 
daughter of Jacob and Nancy (Harden) Rouner, 
the latter a cousin of old Gov. Harden, of Missouri. 

Our subject has been the father of twelve chil- 
dren, one by his first wife and eleven by his second: 
Nancy Ann, who married Thomas P. Munford, a 
prominent author; Cornelia J., wife of Oliver 
Wood; Fanny E., who died when twelve 3'ears old; 
William A., who died when eight months old; 
Colon ia, who died at the age of six months; Robert 
E., married and living near Vibbard, Ra^' County; 
Lizzie, wife of Joseph C. Hill, residing in Ray 
County; Harriet, wife of John II. Cox, living one 
mile from our subject; Maggie, wife of O. A. Har- 
ris, living in Ray Count}'; Lee, married and a resi- 
dent of Ray County; and Ethel. 

The farm belonging to Mr. Hightower consists of 
two hundred and five acres, and is in a good state 
of cultivation; upon it the owner is engaged in 
general farming and stock-raising. He is a mem- 
ber of Harmony Lodge No. 384, F. & A. M., being 
its Senior Warden. Our subject is a devoted 
member of the Baptist Church, being faithful to 
its teachings and an active worker in its behalf. 
In politics, he is a Democrat, and firmly adheres 



f 'Se^ 





PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



241 



to the teachings of the party as proclaimed in its 
several platforms. He is a member of the Grange 
and Treasurer of the Farmers' Mutual Benefit As- 
sociation, being espcciall^y interested in the latter, 
in the future of which he has great faith. To him 
belongs the distinction of being one of the oldest 
settlers of Ray Count}' now residing within its 
limits. 



eOL. LEWIS J. WOOD, one of the earliest 
pioneers of Claj' County now living, and 
an honored citizen, has been for more than 
half a century a leading agriculturist of the county, 
and is widely known as an energetic and upright 
man. Col. Wood is a native Kentuckian, and was 
born in Mercer County, July 12, 1812. His par- 
ents were William and Sallj- (Thomas) Wood, the 
former born in Albemarle County, Va., and the 
latter a native of Culpeper County. 

William Wood remained with his parents upon 
the A^irginia homestead until he had attained liis 
majority. During his bo3'hood he enjoyed excel- 
lent educational advantages, and prepared liimself 
for a teacher, following that vocation many years. 
He was a man richly endowed with gifts of mind 
and person, and was numbered among the able and 
representative business men of his locality. In 
1792 he removed to IMercer County, K3\, and there 
married the daughter of Richard Thomas and 
widow of Ambrose Gordon. After his marriage, 
Mr. Wood devoted himself to the pursuit of agri- 
culture and remained in Kentucky until 1833, 
when he journeyed with his family to Missouri. 
Settling in Clay County, he purchased three hun- 
dred and twenty acres of school land near Liberty, 
and here remained until his death in ISS.'j. His 
wife survived him about three months. 

The mother of our subject had four children by 
her first marriage with Mr. Gordon. The eldest, 
John A., deceased, served bravely in the War of 
1812. He was an able man, a finely informed his- 
torian and a successful lawyer, jiracticing his pro- 



fession for many years in Liberty. He never mar- 
ried. He was a social favorite and his loss was 
deeply mourned. Robert, a plasterer by trade, 
also died unmarried. Ambrose, deceased, was a 
prosperous pliysician of Kentucky. Patsy, deceased, 
was the wife of Colman Coghill. The pleasant 
home of William Wood and his wife was blessed 
by the birth of nine children, one of whom died 
in infancy, and four now survive, all over eighty 
years of age. Jesse T., once a prominent lawyer 
of Boone County, Mo., served with distinction in 
the Black Hawk War as Brigadier-General, and af- 
ter a life of usefulness and honor he died unmar- 
ried. Isaac C, deceased, was a prominent farmer 
of Clay County, and served with efficiencj' and 
honor as Judge of the Countj^ Court. He was 
twice married, his first wife being Miss Lucy Curd, 
and his second wife Miss Louisa Duncan. William 
T., now residing in Lexington, Mo., has held many 
important State and county offices and ever dis- 
charged the duties of each position of trust with 
faithful ability. As a leading lawj-er of his por- 
tion of the State, he achieved a more than local 
reputation and possesses a host of friends. He has 
thrice entered the matrimonial state, first with Miss 
Eliza Hughes; his second wife was Miss Maria 
Paine, and his third union was with Miss Marj' 
Broadwell. Joseph M., deceased, married Miss Cor- 
rinne Arthur and was a most successful pliysician of 
Kansas City. Our subject was next in order of birth. 
Richard P. was an extensive agriculturist, and a 
well-known business man and druggist of Park- 
ville, Mo. The daughters of the family' were 
women of culture, refinement and ability, and have 
occupied positions of influence. The father of our 
subject was a valued member of the Masonic fra- 
ternity and, politically, was a firm adherent of the 
Whig party. The paternal grandfather of our sub- 
ject was of immediate English ancestry and un- 
doubtedly' one of three heirs to a large estate in 
"Merrie England." Col. Wood received his primary 
education in the district schools of Kentucky, and 
as he possessed scholarly instincts, gained a vast 
fund of knowledge from books of scientific research 
and travel. He accompanied his parents to Mis- 
souri, and remained with tiiem until their death. 
September 16, 1831, our subject was united in 



242 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



marriage with Miss Mary Duncan, who was boru 
September 16, 1818, and Is a daughter of Capt. 
James and Nancy (Music) Duncan, the father hav- 
ing been born in Virginia, and tlie mother in 
Kentucky. They emigrated to Missouri in 1823, 
and settled upon a large tract of Government land 
which Capt. Duncan had purchased. Col. Wood 
received from ins father about the time of liis mar- 
'riage two hundred and forty acres of land, and 
entered with energetic ardor into the cultivation 
of the soil. During the many years of a successful 
career he has variousl}' engaged in farming, milling, 
and the handling of general merchandise, and in 
18.55 was a prosperous merchant of Smithville. 
At the time of the war he owned fifteen slaves, 
which were then set free, and he also experienced 
financial reverses, due to the disturbed state of the 
countrj'. Some fifteen years ago he retired from 
the active work of life, and now resides upon a 
homestead of one hundred and sixty acres. 

In the early spring of 1849, Col. Wood joined 
the vast army of travelers bound for the Golden 
State. He was the first man in the county to de- 
cide on the trip and make preparations, but he 
soon had a large following. He crossed the plains 
with ox-teams, and was one hundred and thirt3'-two 
da^'s on the way. About one year from the time of 
departure, he returned home, having made a finan- 
cial success of his venture in California. Arriving 
within the. busy town of Placerville (then Hang- 
town) with but i^oO, he reached home with $12,000 
as the result of his year's labor. This mone}' was 
not gained by mining, but by skillful trading in 
stock and buying the gold dust of the miners. 
While in California he was not permanentlj' lo- 
cated in any one place, but traveled throughout 
the entire State. During this sojourn in the far 
West, Col. Wood renewed many pleasant friend- 
ships of early j'outli, and found in the Governor 
of California and other officers and dignitaries of 
the State old acquaintances whom he had known 
well as 3'oung men in Missouri. Through the in- 
tluence and introduction of these prominent citi- 
zens of California, who thoroughly appreciated the 
ability of our subject, he was offered the office of 
Marshal of the State, one of the most important 
and diflieull positions, and. :it that lime, one of the 



most remunerative, but he declined the honor 
without hesitation, having firml}' resolved to allow 
no consideration to keep him longer from his fam- 

ii.y- 

Col. Wood came home by water from the Pacific 
Coast in 1850, and it was not until fourteen years 
later, in 1864, that he again visited California. As 
before, he crossed the American Desert, and this time 
made a business of mining in Idaho Citv, Idaho, and 
was successful a second time in reaping a golden har- 
vest. Although the Indians were giving travelers 
in and about the Kocky Mountains much trouble, 
our subject recrossed the plains on his homeward 
way the following j'ear, and experienced man^' 
narrow escapes from danger and death at the hands 
of the hostile bands which ravaged the country. 
While upon the return journey, the Indians one 
night stole from the company with whom Col. 
Wood was traveling one hundred head of horses 
and mules, but he personally suffered no pecnniaiy 
loss. 

Fourteen children were born unto our subject 
and his estimable wife, but of this large family six 
died in childhood. Of tliose who lived to adult 
age, Sarah, deceased, wife of Thomas Ecton, was 
the eldest; James W. is a well-known millionaire 
of Kansas City; Susan was the wife of Capt. H. 
Clay Kerr, of Kansas City, and died leaving two 
children; Benjamin has been one of the leading 
business men of Kansas City since that dourishing 
metropolis was a village; Rosalind married Eleven 
L. Thatcher; Lewis J. is in business in Smithville. 
Col. Wood and his estimable wife are both mem- 
bers of the Christian Church and have for a long 
series of years been identified with the social and 
benevolent enterprises of this denomination. 

Fraternally, our subject is connected with the 
Masonic order and is one of the oldest ]\Iaster 
Masons of Cla)' County, having joined this ancient 
society in 1840. At one time he was a member of 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, but for 
some years has not been actively associated with 
that organization. During a residence of nearly 
three-score years in his present locality, he has 
been an important factor in the growth and pros- 
perity of the county, and an acknowledged leader 
in the ])roin()ti(>ii of Hit' best interests of the State. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



243 



His children and tlieir families in their several 
homes eujo}' a high position in both social and 
business circles. In the evening of his days, our 
subject can with satisfaction review his j-ears of 
busy usefulness and success, fully realising that in 
the confidence and esteem of the general public he 
has gained the reward due his unblemished career 
as a true American citizen. 






IP= 



ILAS C. ROBINSON is a prominent farmer 
^ and stockman of Ray County, located on 
i\l/j) section 10, Grape Grove Township, where 
he has a very fine tract of land. He is a 
native of Garrard County, Ky., and was born Oc- 
tober 24, 1832. His paternal grandfather removed 
from Virginia to Kentucky about 1811, and was 
one of the earliest settlers in Garrard County, of 
that State, his home being frequently visited by 
the Indians, who still were plentiful there. 

Michael Robinson, father of our subject, was 
born in Virginia in 1804, and was reared as a 
farmer in Kentuckj', where he resided until his 
death in 1861. He carried on his agricultural 
business on a large scale, and was an extensive 
farmer. He brought up his family in the faith of 
the Presbyterian Church. His wife's maiden name 
was Margaret Dunn. She is still a resident in 
Garrard County, of which she is a native, having 
reached the ripe old age of eighty-five years. Her 
father, Benjamin Dunn, was an earl}' settler in the 
State, going thither from Virginia. 

Silas C. Robinson was the second in order of 
birth of a familj' of eleven children, five sons and 
si-ic daughters, all of whom are still living in their 
native State with the exception of our subject and 
a brother, whose residence is in Burton Count}', 
Mo. The original of this sketch received small 
educational advantages. He lived with his father 
until twenty-one j-ears of age, and in the spring 
of 1854 came to Missouri and settled in Jackson 
County, where he resided for two or three years. 
In the fall of 1857, he visited Raj' County, and 
purchased part of his present farm, about one hun- 



dred and thirty acres. After visiting his old home 
in 1857, he returned to Ra^' County and began the 
work of improving his tract. The country was 
then entirely new, and the improvements on his 
farm have all been placed there by himself. He 
broke his laud with four yoke of oxen. From time 
to time he added to his original purchase until he 
is now the possessor of five hundred and sixt}' 
acres of choice land. 

Mr. Robinson was married June 17, 1861, to 
Miss Margaret Jane Bright, of Lincoln County, 
Ky. She came to Missouri with her brothers and 
sisters in the fall of 1860. She and her husband 
have welcomed to their household a family of 
seven children, who were named as follows: Lillie, 
William Franklin, John D., MoUie, Lula, Lottie 
and Charles. One of these, Mollie, is deceased. 
All have had fair educational advantages, and 
have been reared in the faith of the Christian 
Church. 

Mr. Robinson has one bodj' of three hundred 
and ninety acres of choice land, which is watered 
by a branch of Crab Apple Creek. He also has 
some fine springs and an excellent well. His pio- 
neer residence has been replaced by a good farm 
home, which has its complement of barns and out- 
houses, that are in keeping with the first-class order 
noticeable everywhere about the farm. He has an 
orchard of one hundred and twenty trees which 
he himself put out. He has handled considerable 
stock, dealing principally in Shorthorn cattle and 
Poland-China hogs. We congratulate our subject 
on the success which he has so richlv earned. 



^^ 



I. ADKINS, an enterprising agriculturist 
and successful stock-raiser, has been a life- 
.\\\ long resident of Clay County, and has for 
*^S) many years dwelt upon section 23, town- 
ship 51, range 32, Liberty Township. The parents 
of our subject were D. J. and Lizzie (Pence) Ad- 
kins, to whom were born five children: Madeline, 
E. v., our subject, Lizzie and Emma. The two 
latter are deceased. The father, a native Keutuok- 



244 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ian, was born in 1827, and after a life of useful- 
ness and honor passed away, mourned by all who 
knew him, in 1885. His wife was a native of 
Platte Countj', Mo., and died in early woman- 
hood, entering into rest in 1851. 

D. J. Adkins was a man of unusual business 
abilit}^, and was foremost in the prominent enter- 
prises of his locality. Wisely trained to habits of 
industry, his intelligent self-reliance gained him 
success. Arriving in Missouri in early manhood, 
he entered with ardor into the daily business of 
life, and became the owner of two thousand acres 
of valuable land, much of which he cultivated, 
reaping an abundant harvest, and at one time 
raising numbers of fine mules. He enjoyed the 
benefit of excellent educational advantages in his 
youth, and the more easily won his way upward 
until he became a business leader in his neighbor- 
hood. In 1868 he organized the Commercial Bank 
at Liberty, and remained the President of this 
flourishing financial institution up to the day of 
his death. He was also profitably engaged for 
many years in handling general merchandise, and 
as a store-keeper was widely known. 

Prospering in worldly affairs, D. .1. Adkins was 
a liberal giver, and ever ready to assist the unfor- 
tunate. In political affiliations, he was a strong 
Democrat, and, fraternally, was associated with the 
Free Masons, being a prominent member of Lib- 
erty Lodge No. 31. His father, the paternal 
grandfather of our subject, was a brave and influ- 
ential man, of undoubted business integrity and 
abihtJ^ He served his country faithfully' in the 
Mexican War and afterward presided with dignity 
and efficiency .as a judge, retaining his position 
ujion the Bench man}' 3'ears. 

Our subject was born .January 21. 1847, in Clay 
County, Mo. Improving his early advantages of 
instruction in the public schools, he afterward re- 
ceived the benefit of a two-years course of studj' 
in William .Jewell College, and when twenty-one 
years of age, was well-fitted to cope with the du- 
ties and responsibilities of life. The old home- 
stead upon which his grandfather once resided 
now belongs to Mr. Adkins, who cultivates four 
hundred and eighty-five .acres of excellent land, 
all now under a high state of improvement. Aside 



from the pursuit of general agriculture, he engages 
profitably in the breeding of Shorthorns and has 
upon the farm some of tiie finest cattle in the State. 
.June 27, 1869, Mr. Adkins was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Alice Wright, a daugiiter of 
Brookin and Mary (Yergan) Wright, and one in a 
family of six children. The ple.asant home of 
our subject was brightened by the birth of two 
children: Brookin, who was born in 1873, is now 
attending .school in Tennessee; Darwin, born in 
1878, died in 1879. Mrs. Adkins is a valued 
member of tlie Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 
and is active in the good works of that religious 
organization. Our subject, like his father, has at- 
tained to a high degree in Masoniy, and has long 
been i)rominentl3' connected with that fraternity. 
He is a Democrat and is always interested in local 
and National issues. As a citizen, he is an import- 
ant factor in the growth and upbuilding of the 
various leading interests of Clay County and Mis- 
souri. 



AVID W. IvELL. This well-known and 
) highly respected farmer of township 52, 
range 27, Ka}' Count}', has acquired raucli 
information by travel, and has also gained 
valuable experience by contact with the world. 
He was born in Madison County, 111., in 1844, the 
son of .John and Emily (Swett) Ivell. His father 
was a son of William and Nanc}' liell, and grand- 
son of Nimrod Kell. The grandfather of our sub- 
ject, William Kell, was born April 8, 1788. and his 
wife, February 5, 1795, the place of their nativity 
not being definitely known. The}' were married 
in Tennessee, and later in life removed to Madison 
County, 111., where they lived a number of years 
and finally died; she September 10, 1844, and he 
January 27, 1846. His trade was that of a tailor, 
and he also followed the occupation of a farmer. 
The father of our subject was born in Tennessee, 
June 31, 1820, and removed with his parents to 
Illinois in his youth. TTiere he grew to manhood, 
receiving a fairly good conunon-scliool education. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



245 



His father gave him a tract of land in Madison 

County, and he enjjaged in fanning for himself. 
lie was married February 11, 1841, to a daughter 
of David and Klizaheth (Wall) Swett, natives of 
New Hampshire and North Carolina, respectivelj'. 
After farming a few years, he crossed the plains in 
1852 with a large company in ox-wagons, Ave 
months being silent in the journey. Unlike many 
others, he did not go to the mines, but kept 
store for Capt. Wing, at Suisun. The trip proved 
quite successful linancially, and he returned in 
1854, well satisfied. At Upper Alton, 111., he era- 
barked in the stove and hardware business, and 
continued thus engaged for about a quarter of a 
century, when he removed to Ray County, Mo., 
and engaged in farming. lie now makes his home 
with iiis son, oursubject. Two children were born 
of his marriage: Nancy E., wife of George Wright, 
and our subject. The Masonic lodge claims him 
as one of its members, liis connection being with 
that order in Illinois. The death of his beloved 
wife, April 29, 1891, was a deep bereavement to 
him. 

The education of our subject was limited to the 
common schools of Illinois, and in 1863 he com- 
menced farming on his own account, continuing 
this calling one year. In 1865 he went overland 
to California, consuming five months in the jour- 
ney, during which time he endured many hard- 
ships. While in California he ran a hay press on 
a farm, receiving wages that were anything but 
liberal. His return journey was much more pleas- 
ant, as it was made by ocean steamer. Upon reach- 
ing Upper Alton, he entered the store of his father, 
with whom he remained about twelve months, and 
then came to Missouri with liis parents. After one 
year he went to Madison Count}', 111., and began 
farming. Thence a short time afterward he re- 
turned to Raj' County, Mo., and bought the farm 
upon which he now resides, consisting of two hun- 
dred and thirtj'-three acres. 

The maiden name of Mrs. Kell was Lou Clark. 
She was a daughter of Reuben and Emily Clark, 
and a native of Iowa. She became the mother of 
five children, two of whom died young. The liv- 
ing ones are: Edward C, Reuben L. and Nellie 
M. The faithful wife and mother died in Octo- 



ber, 1879, lamented by all who knew her. In poli- 
tics Mr. Kell is a strong Democrat, and faithfully 
and honestly supports the ticket of that part}'. He 
was chosen a delegate to the .Tudicial Convention 
of 1892, and has served in other positions of trust. 



> III I I 



eHARLES G. RUST, an enterprising and suc- 
cessful general agriculturist and prominent 
stock-raiser, making a specialty of blooded 
horses, is a native of Clay County, and is widely 
known as an energetic and progressive citizen. 
Ilis home for many years has been on section 16, 
township 53, range 30. Our subject is the son of 
Mace and Nancy (Kincadc) Rust, and is one in a 
family of eight children. The father was a native 
of Virginia, but early settled in Kentucky, from 
which State he emigrated to Missouri in 1842. 
He was a practical and experienced fanner, and 
became the owner of a valuable property of four 
hundred acres, where he pursued general agricul- 
ture, also bred good horses and raised a variety of 
stock. 

Mace Rust was politically a strong Democrat. 
He was a consistent member of the Presbyterian 
Church, and ever a promoter in the good work of 
that religious organization. His father-in-law was 
a man of prominence and held several county 
offices. The father of oursubject wassevent\'-two 
years of age at the time of his death, and was 
mourned by all of his old friends and neighbors, 
when, in 1864, he passed away. Charles G. Rust 
was born in Clay County, Mo., November 19, 1858. 
Having received the benefit of instruction in the 
schools of tlie neighborhood, and spending much of 
his youth in assisting in the work of his fatiier's 
farm, he grew to manhood a hard-working and in- 
dustrious man, well fitted to m.ake a home for the 
wife he married in 1880. The ladv of his choice 
was Miss Anna Green, of Clinton Count}', and is 
the mother of four bright and interesting children, 
two sons and two daughters. One child died in 
infancy. .7ohn H. is the eldest of the family, and 
was born May 29, 1881. The others are. Ruby G., 



246 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD. 



born December 10, 1883; Elizabeth, May 9, 1887; 
and Charles Richard on the 14th of December, 1892. 
The familj- resides upon the pleasant home farm 
of eiglity higlily cultivated acres. Mr. Rust, liiie 
his father, devotes much of his time to the raising 
of horses, but he also neglects nothing that will 
conduce to the success of the cultivation of the soil. 
Politically he is a strong Democrat, and always an 
interested observer of the conduct of local and 
national office. For one term he discharged the 
duties of a Constable with fidelity and efficiency, 
but is not an active politician in the usual signifi- 
cance of the term. lie and his wife are both mem- 
bers of the Presbyterian Church, and are among 
the promoters of its social and benevolent enter- 
prises. 

One of the brothers of Mr Rust was lulled 
during the first year of the war, the mournful 
event occurring in 1861. The young soldier, a 
cavalryman, was shot at the siege of Vicksburg. 
The family were in favor of the South, and this 
brave young life went out as a sacrifice to the 
cruelties of the Civil War. Mi-. Rust, as a native of 
Missouri, has witnessed wonderful progress and 
improvement in the last quarter of a century, and 
has in the year since he attained iiis manhood been 
an active factor in local growth and prosperity. 
He has an extended circle of acquaintances, and 
enjoys tho best wislies of a host of friends. 



-=^^>^^<m= 



-*, MLLIAM G. IIARWOOD, M.D. Possessing 
\/\/// ^ clear comprehension of the science of 
^^^ medicine in theory and practice, our sub- 
ject also has a sympathetic and appreciative nature, 
wiiicli causes him to put forth in every case his 
very best efforts for the alleviation of suffering, 
and for restoration to health. He is engaged in 
the practice of medicine in the village of Vibbard, 
Ray County. A native of Dover, La Faj'ette 
County, Mo., he was born May 13, 1856. His fa- 
ther, James D. Harwood, was born June 6, 1828, in 
Parkersburgh, in what is now West Virginia, wliere 
he was reared and educated. He married Ellen 



Rhodes, who lived but one year after the union. 
In 1848, he came to Missouri, and located first at 
Dover, and in 1852 married Bettie Carter, form- 
erly of Richmond, Va., who bore him five children, 
our subject and four daughters, all living. 

Dover remained the home of James D. Harwood 
for twenty-eight years, during wliich time he car- 
ried on tlie business of a general merchant. He 
passed awaj' March 23, 1890, having been stricken 
with pneumonia, which caused liis death after a 
sliort illness. His end was peaceful, his faith be- 
ing supreme in the promise of tlie Gospel. At the 
time of his demise he was an Elder in the Chris- 
tian Church, of which he had been a member for 
twenty-eight years. He was a charter member of 
the chureli at Dover, whicli was the first church of 
that denomination organized in the State of Mis- 
souri. He was a man of great moral worth, just 
and upright, and devoted to his chui'ch, in which he 
worked earnestly and tirelessly; a tender husband, 
a kind father, a benevolent and considerate man, 
honest and upriglit, his death was greatly mourned 
by all who knew him. His widow still survives. 

Our subject received instruction in the public 
scliools of Dover, and then read medicine with Dr. 
R. C. Carter, of Higginsville, Mo. After grad- 
uating from the college at Dover in 1879, in the 
same year he entered tlie Missouri Medical College 
at St. Louis, where he took the full three-years 
course, graduating in 1883. Tiien he went to Hig- 
ginsville, Mo., where he remained with his uncle 
for one year. At the expiration of this time lie 
came to Vibbard, where he has since resided. In 
the year 1885 he married Miss Emma D., daughter 
of Joseph S. Carlyle, an old settler of the county, 
by whom lie has had two children, viz: Carl Gaines 
and Willie Davis. Dr. and Mrs. Harwood arc 
members of the Christian Churcli, in which he is 
an Elder and a veiy active worker. He is a mem- 
ber of that ancient order, the Masons, and is 
reputed an active and zealous worker in it. He is 
somewhat of a politician, but not in any offensive 
sense, and is now filling the office of Coroner, be- 
ing in his fourth year. Dr. Harwood is a member 
of the Ray County Medical Society and the State 
Medical Society, taking mucli interest in the work 
of the latter. While in college he took a special 



PORTRAIT AND BIOCiKAPHKAL RECORD. 



247 



coui-se in the diseases of women and children, and 
also in surgciT and in the hospital. His skill and 
zeal have brought him an extensive practice, said 
to lie thi^ largest in the county of Ray. 



W?ILKERSON CORUM, an honored pioneer 
settler of Clay County, arrived in Missouri 
,, „ at six j'ears of age, and locating perma- 
nently within its borders in 1819, has since 1824, 
a ])eriod of nearly three-score years and ten, been 
a resident of his present home upon section 12, 
township 52, range 33, and is widely known as an 
earnest, industrious and intelligent citizen of high 
integrity of character. Our subject was born in 
Green Count}', Ky., January 3, 1813, and was the 
son of William and Barsheba (Bloyd) Corum. 
The father was a native of Virginia, and the 
mother was born in Somerset County, Md. The 
paternal grandparents were John and Nancy 
(Cookshin) Corum. John Corum was a native- 
born Englishman, and came to America and died 
in this countr3' before the struggles of the Revo- 
lutionary War. The paternal grandparents re- 
moved with their family to North Carolina at a 
very early day in the historj'of the United States, 
and there William Corum entered the Federal 
service as a teamster, and was a most eificient aid 
in those dark days. 

The paternal grandfather died in middle life, 
and left the support of the famih- of five children 
mostly to the care of the father of our subject, who 
was theeldest-boru. Earl}' in youth he embarked in 
business and was variously and successfully engaged 
as a general trader and teamster, following the lat- 
ter occupation for nine consecutive j'ears. While 
in North Carolina AVilliam Corum married, and in 
about 1804 emigrated to Green County, Ky., and 
bought land. While there he was drafted into 
service in the War of 1812, but never went upon 
the field of battle. He carefully reared a family 
of children, six in number, of whom Thomas S., 
deceased, was the eldest; John L. resides in Clay 



County, Mo.; Milton is also living in Clay Connty; 
Nancy, deceased, was the wife of Dennis Bog- 
gess; Wilkerson is our subject; Susan is the wife 
of Jackson Estes. 

In 1819 William Corum came with his family 
to Missouri, first locating in Cooper County, where 
he bought a large tract of land. In 1824 he es- 
tablished his home in Clay Count}', and entered 
from the Government the present farm of our 
subject, one hundred and sixty acres, afterward 
adding to his landed property three hundred acres 
more in different parts of the county. Politically 
this veteran of the Revolutionary War was a 
Jackson Democrat. In religious affiliation he was 
a member of the Primitive Baptist Church. He 
lived to a good old age, dying at the home of our 
subject. His wife survived him about four years. 

Wilkerson Corum attended school only six 
months in his life, but being a great reader of use- 
ful and instructive books, acquired a large stock 
of general information, and is more than ordin- 
arily well posted in the affairs of the day. He re- 
mained with his parents until their death. March 
24, 1836, he married Miss Ruth E. Young, who 
was bom in Kentucky in 1818, the daughter of 
Thomas and Abigail (Stroud) Young, likewise na- 
tives of Kentucky. Mrs. Young was born in 1798 
and died at the age of eighty-nine years. Mr. 
Young died in 1837. 

The pleasant home of Wilkerson Corum and his 
wife was gladdened with the presence of seven 
merry children who reached manhood and woman- 
hood. William T., the eldest, is now deceased; 
Lucinda is the wife of James C. Gunn, a coal op- 
erator of Higginsville, Mo., and has four children, 
Isabella, Price S., Edward and .Joseph; Harden R., 
a miner with his home in Denver, Colo., married 
Ida Doud and they have two children, Barnabel 
and Ida M.; Irene, the wife of J. M. Beech, re- 
sides .at Higginsville, Mo., and is the mother of 
five children, Anna B., James, Lansing, Lester and 
Lottie; Susan, deceased, w.as the fifth child of our 
subject; Elizabeth, the wife of Thomas Barnes, 
has seven children, William, George, D.aniel, 
Laura, Harry, Artie and Irene; Nathan, the 
youngest of the family, is unmarried. 

(.)ur subject began life by renting eighty acres 



248 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of his father's farm, and is liring upon the old 
homestead in the house which sheltered him when 
he was a lad, nearl}' two-thirds of a century- ago. 
Mr. Coriini is a member of the Primitive Baptist 
Church. Politically he is a Democrat. A faithful 
and elFicieut worker in the fields of life, he has 
garnered many precious sheaves of happy recol- 
lections in his journey by the way, and has a store 
of most interesting reminiscences of the early 
days. 






i3]i 



li^^ 



ICHAEL A. GROOM, a prosperous and 
extensive general agriculturist, and a suc- 
cessful stock-raiser, residing upon section 
3, township 52, range 32, Clay County, 
Mo., is widely known as an energetic and reliable 
citizen, liberal and progressive, and ever read}' to 
assist in local improvements and enterprise. Our 
subject was born upon his father's farm, two miles 
west of Liberty, in 1834. He is the son of Joseph 
and Nancy (Hutcliison) Groom, his father being a 
native of Virginia, but reared in Clark County, 
Ky., to which State Grandfather Groom had emi- 
grated from the Old Dominion in tlie latter part 
of tiie eighteenth century. Joseph Groom was the 
youngest son of his parents, and remained at home 
until the death of his mother, who survived her 
husband many years. In earl}' manhood, while 
residing in Clark County, Ky., he married the 
daughter of Col. Hutchison, a native Virginian, but 
an early pioneer of Kentucky, and a liero of Revo- 
lutionary f.ame, having fought with great gallantry 
in the War of Independence, and, as Colonel of his 
regiment, cheering his men on to victory. 

Some time between 1821 and 1824, Joseph 
(iroom emigrated with his wife and family to Clay 
Count}', Mo., and, journeying slowly by wagon, 
reached the desired destination with the small pe- 
cuniary capital of fifty cents, but rich in hope, 
energy and native resolution. By his thrift and 
intelligent industry he gradually accumulated val- 
uable property, and owned two hundred and 
eighty acres of highly improved land. At the 



time of the "Mormon War" in Missouri, this 
sturdy pioneer settler shouldered his gun, and 
ably defended his people and property for a few 
days. Ten children came into the happy home, 
and but two died young. The sons and daugh- 
ters were: Robert, Francis M., John S.; Mary, wife 
of Charles Woods; Michael A., our subject; Martha, 
wife of John Kincaid; Porter F.; and Belle, wife 
of John Pickett. The fatlier of our subject reached 
the good old age of ninety-two years, and was 
well preserved in mind and body up to the time 
of his death. 

Micliacl A., our subject, remained with liis par- 
ents until he had attained his majority, and re- 
ceived liis education in the old log schoolhouse, a 
prominent feature in the early history of Clay 
County. In 1861, the beginning of the Civil War, 
he entered the State Guard, under Gen. Price, 
and served in Col. Thompson's regiment, Capt. 
Groom's company. In 1862, he entered the reg- 
ular Confederate service, in the Trans-Missouri 
Department. He fought in many of the leading 
battles of the war, and remained in active ser- 
vice until the surrender, when he returned to his 
home and again resumed agricultural duties. No- 
vember 5, 1867, he was united in marriage with 
Miss Emma P., daughter of D. J. Adkins, of Clay 
County, but in 1882 lost the faithful wife and 
loving mother, who had borne him seven children, 
one of whom died young. Elma, the eldest, is 
the wife of Ed Watkins; Ruth is the wife of 
William Gordon; Darwean; Artie is the wife of 
AValter Pryor; Minnie and Lizzie. 

The present wife of Mr. Groom was Mrs. Amelia 
Collins, widow of the late Jesse B. Collins, of 
Clay County, and daughter of James M. Wat- 
kins. Mrs. Groom had two children by her first 
husband, Jesse B. and Martha J. Collins. Since 
her marriage with Mr. Groom she has become 
the mother of a little daughter, Louise. Our 
subject is a valued member of the Christian 
Church, and, politically, belongs to the Alliance 
party, but has always been a strong Democrat 
Financially, he has been greatly prospered, and, 
winning his way steadily upward, now owns 
a fine farm of three hundred acres, all under a 
high state of cultivation. He has further im- 




Blnjamiim B Gentry 



POKTRATT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



251 



proved liis homestead b\' building a magnificent 
brick house and an excellent barn and substan- 
tial outbuildings. A lifetime resident of the 
county, Mr. Groom has been from early years as- 
sociated with the growth and progress of his por- 
tion of the State, and, commanding the respect of 
the entire community, has a liost of sincere friends. 



l^+^[ 



KN.IAMIN GENTRY. The following 
biographical sketch of the well and favor- 
f"5)) i|J ably known farmer who was a citizen of 
Grape Grove Township, Kay County, but is 
now deceased, is a loving tribute to his many vir- 
tues by those that were nearest and dearest to him. 
Mr. Gentry was born in Boone County, Mo., 
March 20, 1828, and was a sou of David and Susan 
Gentry, the former a native of Madison County, 
Ky., whither our subject's grandfather had gone 
from Virginia at an early date. David Gentry 
removed to Missouri in the '20s and settled in 
Boone County when the country- was very new. 
He was an enterprising farmer there until his de- 
cease, which occurred in 1836. His brother, Maj. 
Gentry, was killed in the Seminole War. 

Benjamin Gentry was the youngest of the fam- 
ily of five sons and two daughters, all of whom are 
deceased. He was reared on a farm in his native 
county and came to Ray County in the spring of 
1850. The same year he crossed the plains to 
California, the overland journey consuming four 
months. He spent eighteen months engaged in 
mining for gold in that beautiful State on the 
Pacific Coast. He was reasonably successful in his 
efforts and when he returned, the home journey 
being made via the Isthmus, he purchased a tract 
of land in (irape Grove Township. 

After improving a farm of two hundred and 
sixty acres, the original of this sketch sold out his 
place, and in 1870 purchased two hundred and 
thirty-five acres on sections 4 and 5, which he oc- 
cupied as his place of residence until his demise, 
which occurred December 4, 1888. Tlie land he 
last ])urclias('(l was but partially improved, and lie 
12 



completed the work of cultivation and added the 
necessary buildings until he had the farm in first- 
class condition. He also made other purchases of 
land until he owned nine hundred and sixty iicres, 
which were in two farms. In connection with the 
development of the soil he handled considerable 
stock and fed a large number of cattle. 

Mr. Gentry was a thorough-going business man 
and was greatly respected in the community. He 
was a prominent Mason, and in religious matters 
believed in the doctrines of the Christian Church. 
He was twice married, first in 1847 to Miss Nar- 
cissa, daughter of John WoUard, an old pioneer. 
She died in 1858, having borne him four children, 
of whom two arc living, Susan F. and Mary C. 
Mr. Gentr3''s second marriage occurred about a 
year after the decease of his first wife, his bride 
being Miss Sarah McKinzie, of Mercer County ,Va., 
a daughter of Alexander and Melinda (Allen) Mc- 
Kinzie, both of whom died in their native State, 
Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Gentry became the parents 
of a large family of children. Their names are: 
Adelia A., Benjamin M., James S., Alice B., Jeffer- 
son D., John S., William E., Charles N. and Eflie 
M. Five of these are married and have homes of 
their own. Mrs. Gentry is a capable and noble 
woman and a devoted member of the Cliristi;in 
Church. She has continued to live on the home 
farm, in the cultivation of which she has been 
assisted by her sons. 



\fl AMES M. HYMER, a successful agriculturist 
I and stock-raiser, and a prominent and influ- 
^^ I ential citizen, residing in township 51, range 
^S^fy 32, section 23, Liberty Township, is one of 
the oldest settlers in Clay County, Mo. Born in 
October, 1824, our subject came with his par- 
ents to Missouri in 1832, when Clay County was 
little more than a wilderness. James M. Hy mcr is 
the son of Jacob and Sallie (Willis) Hymer, and is 
the second in a family of four children living. 
The father and mother were from Kentucky, where 
the six elder of llicir ten little ones were born 



252 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Settling in Missouri, the fatlier entered a large 
body of land from the frovernment and cultivated 
aliout four hundred acres. 

Jacob Ilymer was an active politician and a 
Democrat first and last. He filled many impotant 
positions of trust, and most acceptably occupied 
tlie offices of Assessor, Collector and Sheriff. Ener- 
getic and enterprising, lie was ever public-spirited 
and a liberal giver in behalf of local progress and 
improvement. He and his worthy wife were mem- 
bers of the old Baptist Church, and were among 
the chief supporters of tliat religious organization. 
The living children of this Missouri pioneer are 
Willis S., a farmer, born in 1821; our subject, who 
was next in order of birth; Minerva J., born in 

1831, and who resides in Cass County, Mo.; and 
William, born in 1827, a farmer and stock-raiser 
of Clay County, Mo. 

Our subject was but a little lad eight years of 
age when he arrived in Missouri, and in his 
adopted State he .acquired a rudimentary education 
in the primitive schools of the early days. Trained 
in all the duties of farming when young, he was 
soon able to do tlie work of a hired hand, and was 
well fitted to make his own way in the world. Mr. 
Ilymer owns a highly-improved farm of four iiun- 
dred acres and is one of the most extensive breed- 
ers of a good grade of cattle in this part of the 
county. February 19, 1852, our subject took unto 
himself a wife, ciioosing for a life partner Mrs. 
Nancy Rodgers, a most estimable lady, well known 
and higiily resi)ected. Mr. and Mr. Hymer are the 
parents of eight children, seven of whom are liv- 
in"'. Fannie E., born May 3, 1853, is the wife of 
Andrew Fritzler, a farmer; William T., born Decem- 
ber 18, 1854, is Deputy-Assessor of Clay County, 
Mo.; Sallie tlertie, born .September 20, 1861; 
Rhoda B.,born February 21, 182G, resides at home; 
Robert Lutiier, born November 20, 1867, is one of 
the home circle; Jacob Oscar, born November 9, 
1859; and James E., born June 30, 1870, is a school 
teacher. Mrs. Hymer was the daughter of David 
and Rachael Rogers and was born November 17, 

1832. She was a great worker in the cause of re- 
ligion, and was an old-time Baptist. 

In political affiliations, our subject h.as always 
been a Democrat and a strong supporter of the 



party whose principles were maintained by the 
illustrious Thomas Jefferson. Mr. Ilymer was at 
one time a member of a company of Home (Guards, 
sworn to protect the country. For nearly three- 
score 3'ears a resident of his present home, our 
subject has been an important factor in many of 
the enterprises and local interests of the county 
and the home neighborhood. He was at one time 
a very prominent worker in tlie temperance cause, 
and during his long and honorable career has ever 
used his influence in behalf of right, justice and 
reform. Known widely as an upright and useful 
citizen, Mr. Il3'raer is universally respected and 
esteemed. 



-"^ 



m 



WiOHN P. FINLEY is a well-known stock- 
dealer, located on section 1, Crooked River 
Township, Ray County. He here has a fine 
farm that bears the best of improvements. 
Personally, ]\Ir. Finley is noted as being a clever, 
whole-souled man, witii marked abilit}' in a busi- 
ness way. He is a Jiative of Fleming County', Ky., 
and was born September 23. 1823. He is a son of 
Samuel and Mary (Perden) Finley, the first a na- 
tive of Penns3'lvania and born in 1800, and the 
latter of Kentucky-. Maj. John Finley, our sub- 
ject's grandfather, served in the Revolutionary 
War and was commissioned as Major. He settled in 
Pennsj^vania, whence our subject's father went to 
Fleming County. Ky., where he died at the age of 
ninety-three years. Both he and his wife were 
Presbyterians. 

Samuel Finley w.as one of five children, there 
being three daughters and two sons. He became 
a farmer in Kentucky and was very successful. 
There were six children in the Finley family, of 
whom our subject is the eldest. He was reared on 
a farm and received a common-school education 
in the log schoolhouse of the day. After his fa- 
ther's death, he became the head of the family, 
remaining with his mother until twenty-three 
years of age, wiien he operated a farm for himself 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



253 



in Fleming County for two 3'ears. In November 
of 1850, lie came to Missouri and settled in Ray 
County. Since first coming to Crooked River 
Township, there has been a great change, and the 
development of the country would indicate to one 
who had not watched its natural evolution that it 
was attended with magic. The first home was a log 
house in the midst of the woods and about which 
the wild animals of the forest stra3'ed, peeping in 
upon the occupants with mild astonishment. In 
1857, Mr. Finley moved to Carroll County, but 
remained there only four years. Coming back to 
Ray County, he was not located entirely to his 
taste, and moved to Livingston County, where he 
ran a ferry-boat on the Grande River for a year. 
He then went back to Carroll County and made 
that the family home until 188.3, when he purchased 
his present farm in the northeast corner of the 
township. It is a fine and fertile tract that well 
repa3'.s his efforts in cultivation. 

Mr. Finle3''s first marriage was solemnized in 
1848, his bride being Miss Ann CoUoh. She died 
in 1852, leaving two children, Samuel and El- 
vira. The following year our subject married 
Mary Rimmer,of Tennessee. This union has been 
blessed b3' the advent of ten children, whose names 
are John W., James, Ida, David, Franklin, Fleming 
C, Elizabeth, Charles, Florence and Oeorge A. 
Mr. Finley takes pride in his adherence to the 
Demoerac3-. His farm comprises two hundred 
acres of land. Here he raises all kinds of stock 
and feeds a large number of cattle, also buys and 
ships large numbers. 



■^ AMES A. DUNCAN, an enterprising, lead- 
ing and prosperous agriculturist and suc- 
cessful stock-raiser, residing in Lawson, 
Polk Township, Ray County, ."Mo., is one of 
the prominent business men of this portion of the 
State, and is a stockholder and Director in the 
Commercial Bank at Lawson. He has been profit- 
ably engaged in various avocations .and, a native 
of Missouri, has been an eye-witness of the growth 



and progress of the State and has himself been an 
important factor in the upbuilding and develop- 
ment of various interests of his home neighbor- 
hood and the count3'. Our subject is one of a 
famil3r of children born unto Thomas and Mary 
(Hall) Duncan. 

Thomas Duncan, the father of our subject, w.as a 
native of Kentucky, and was born near Lexington. 
He came when he was but nine 3-ears of age with 
his parents to Missouri, arriving within the borders 
of the State in 1833. Reared amid pioneer scenes 
and privations, he grew to manhood a courageous 
and self-reliant citizen. Industrious and energetic, 
he accumulated property and became the owner of 
four hundred and twenty acres, upon which he 
sowed, planted and reaped a harvest year after 
year. He and his good wife, who died in 1858, 
when our subject was but six months old, were 
active members of the Christian Church. Thomas 
Duncan was a member of the Masonic fraternit3- 
in good and regular standing, was ever a kind 
friend and excellent citizen and was highly re- 
spected. 

Our subject was born in Cl.ay County, near 
Smitiiville, December 26, 1858, and in early life 
received a common-school education and was 
trained in the duties of agriculture. At twenty- 
one 3-ears of age, he began farming and stock- 
raising upon his own account, and also bought 
and shipped grain and live stock. For a time our 
subject engaged in the livery business, both in 
Lawson and in Kearne3', Cla3' Count3-. In 1883, 
Mr. Duncan was united in marriage with Miss 
Ellen Miller, a daughter of Andrew Miller, who at 
the time of Mrs. Duncan's birth, in 1858, resided 
in Ra3- Count3', near P^xcelsior Springs. Our sub- 
ject owns a pleasant home in Lawson and has pros- 
pered in the various businesses which have occu- 
pied his bus3' moments. An earnest and progress- 
ive man, he has been an active promoter of local 
improvement and has aided materially in the ad- 
vancement of the business interests of his native 
county. 

Mr. and Mrs. Duncan are valued members of 
the Christian Church, and are active in social and 
benevolent enterprises of tiiat religious organiza- 
tion. Fraternally, our subject is a Knight of 



254 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Pythias, and has a host of friends within the order. 
In political preference and belief, Mr. Duncan is a 
Democrat and is a firm advocate of the principles 
promoted and supported by that great statesman, 
Thomas Jefferson. A generous friend, kind neigh- 
bor, and a citizen possessing sterling integrity 
of character, our subject has deservedly won the 
confidence and esteem of the entire communit3' 
among whom he makes his home, and is widely 
known as an honorable, upright Christian gentle- 
man. 



DAUL WERTZ. Wise is that father who has 
) his son taught a trade, for that is a capital 
of itself. Our subject owes his success in 
' i life to the skill of his own hands, which 
gave him his start, and enabled him to thoroughly 
understand the work in which he engaged after 
he had laid aside his tools. A retired contractor 
and merchant of Richmond, Mo., he was born in 
Bedford County, Pa., near Bedford .S])rings, No- 
vember 23, 1830, being a son of Henry AVertz, a 
native of the same county- and State, whose father 
was Paul Wertz, of German descent. 

The mother of our subject was Sarah (Abraham) 
Wertz, who died when Paul was but eight j-ears of 
age. The boyhood of the latter was passed in 
Bedford County, where he worked on the farm 
and attended school until his twentieth year. He 
tlien learned the carpenter's trade at Combertain, 
where he remained two years; he then spent six 
months in Indiana, after which he was in Urbana, 
111., doing contracting and building for eiglit 
months. Davenport, Iowa, became his next stop- 
ping place throughout a summer, and finally, in 
the spring of 1856, he came to Richmond, Mo., 
where he followed contracting and building until 
1872. At this time he formed a partnership with 
James P. Kiger, under the firm name of Kiger A 
Wertz, and conducted a general store until 1886, 
when he sold out to his partner and retired from 
active business. 

Mr. Wertz was married to bis first wife, Miss 



Almedia F. Parker, October 4, 1860, but she died 
in February, 1870. In the year 1874 he married 
Miss Pernety J., daughter of John 11. and Mary 
Ann McGee. Her parents came from Kentucky, 
her father being a native of Tennessee, and her 
mother of Winchester, Ky. Her maternal grand- 
father was William B. Martin, who came 6rom 
Kentucky to Ray County, Mo. Her paternal 
grandmother was Miss Melinda Vallandgiham 
before marriage. INIr. and Mrs. Wertz are mem- 
bers of the Christian Church, in which body they 
are much respected for their consistent and up- 
right living. Mr. Wertz is a Democrat, firm in 
the belief that the interests of the country are 
best subserved when that party is in power. 

Our subject has most unpleasant recollections of 
the terrible cyclone of 1878, as his home stood in 
the center of the path of the storm, which carried 
away a portion of the house and some of the fur- 
niture. Mrs. Wertz was picked up and borne 
across the street, where she was found in a nearly' 
unconscious condition. Although the losses were 
very considerable, Mr. Wertz, with characteristic 
promptitude, soon had all damages repaired and 
the Jost furniture leplaced, so that the home pre- 
sented a nicer appearance than ever. Still, he has 
no desire to go through a similar experience,, the 
horrors of such a calamity being utterly beyond 
description. 



♦^•{•^* 



ON. DkAVITT CLINTON ALLEN, of Lib- 
erty, was born in Clay County, Mo., No- 
vember 11, 1835, and, with the exception 
of a few brief intervals, has passed his 
life in that county. His family is of English- Welsh 
extraction, its first rejjresentatives having settled 
in America during the early part of the last cen- 
turj', and his parents were people of education and 
refinement. His father. Col. Shubael Allen, was 
a native of Orange County, N. Y., whence he 
emigrated to Kentucky in 181(5, and tiience to 
Missouri one year later, and finally settled in Clay 



K)RTRAIT AND BIOGKAPHICAL RECORD. 



255 



County ill 1820. The mother of our subject bore 
the maideu name of Dinali Ayres Trigg and was 
born in Estill Countj', Ky. Her father, (Jen. 
Stephen Trigg, emigrated from Bedford County, 
Va., to Kentuek}' near the close of the last eenturj-, 
and then proceeded to Howard County, Mo., in 
1818. 

When our subject was live years old his father 
died, and he was tliereafter entirely' under the influ- 
ence and training ot his mother, a woman of excel- 
lent judgment, fine literary taste, cheerful disposi- 
tion, the most delicate sentiments of honor and in- 
tegrity,and one in every way fitted for the discharge 
of the duties devolving upon her. In tempera- 
ment our subject is more like his father, but his 
character was moulded by his mother, and to her 
encouragement and advice he attributes mainly 
his achievements in life. By mental constitu- 
tion he is a student and lover of books, and his 
taste for study was strengthened by example. 
His historical and miscellaneous reading began at 
eleven years of age, and has been pursued with 
S3'Stem and regularitj-. Before the completion of 
his thirteenth year, among other works he had 
read all of Scott's novels. 

In 1850, having previously received the bene- 
fit of excellent private schools, held, however, at 
irregular intervals, our subject entered William 
Jewell College, and was graduated in 1855 with tlie 
first honors in the classics and belles lettres. His 
grade in mathematics was somewhat lower. In col- 
lege his tastes inclined toward mathematics origin- 
all}', but, as his acquaintance with the classics in- 
creased, his fondness for mathematics became less 
strong. Having completed his collegiate course, he 
accepted the position of Princi[)al of the Prepara- 
tory Department in the Masonic College, at Lex- 
ington, i\[o., which he filled for a year to the entire 
satisfaction of tiie curators and patrons of that 
institution. He counts the incidents of his 
stay at Lexington as among the most agreeable 
in his life. Society there was at the height of its 
brilliance and charm. The people, as ever, were 
hospitable and courteous, and he bears with him 
only memories of kindness and encouragement re- 
ceived from them. His previous life had been one 
of study and seclusion, and his experiences of so- 



ciety and the world were slight. Of the many 
persons there to whom he feels indebted for kind 
offices, he especially remembers Charles R. More- 
head, Sr. (now deceased), and Mrs. William H. 
Russell. 

During the year succeeding his connection with 
the Masonic College Mr. Allen devoted himself 
to those historical and special studies (suggested 
to him by his friend. Col. Alex W. Doniphan) 
which are considered b}' legal gentlemen as a 
proper introduction to the comprehensive studj- 
of law, whicli he had chosen while at college as 
the profession of his life. From the summer of 
1858 until May, 1860, he pursued his legal studies 
in the office of the late Richard Rees, Esq., in 
Leavenworth, Kan. Occasionally during that pe- 
riod he assisted Mr. Rees in the trial of cases In 
order to acquire familiarit}' with the procedure in 
the courts. He recognizes his obligation to the 
advice and suggestions of Mr. Rees as being very 
great, particularly in the specialties of pleading, 
conveyancing, and the drafting of orders, judg- 
ments and decrees. 

In May, 1860, ]\Ir. Allen returned to his home 
in Liberty, Mo., and began the practice of law. 
Since then he has devoted himself exclusivelj' to 
the work of his profession. In November, 1860, 
he was elected Circuit Attorney of the Fifth Ju- 
dicial Circuit of Missouri, composed of the coun- 
ties of Cla)-, Clinton, Caldwell, Raj- and Carroll. 
He discharged the duties of that office with fidel- 
ity and promptness until December 17, 1861, 
when, under the operation of an ordinance of the 
Missouri Convention of that year, prescribing an 
oath testing the loyalty of officers, it became va- 
cant in conse(iuence of his refusal to take the oath. 

May 18, 1864, Mr. Allen married Miss Emily 
E. Settle, a native of Culpeper Countj-, Va., who, 
however, at the time of her marriage resided in 
Ray County, Mo. Her father, Hiram P. Settle, 
Esq., was a prominent resident of that county. 
Mr. and Mrs. Allen are the parents of three chil- 
dren: Lee, Juliet R. and Perry S. The family 
residence is in Liberty. 

During the years 1866-67 Mr. Allen was Gen- 
eral Attorney of the Kansas City & Cameron 
Railway Company, now known as tlie Kansas City 



256 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Branch of the Hannibal <fe St. Joseph Raih'oad, and 
in tliat position labored assiduously with others 
to secure its early completion. In January, 1875, 
he was elected without opposition to represent, in 
connection with the Hon. E. H. Norton, the Third 
Senatorial District of Missouri, composed of the 
counties of Clay, Clinton and Platte, in the Con- 
stitutional Convention called to meet May 5, 1875, 
and assisted in framing the present organic law 
of the Slate. In that body, composed of many 
of the ablest and most learned men of Missouri, 
he bore himself with ability and won the respect 
and confidence of its members. At its organiza- 
tion lie was appointed a member of the Commit- 
tees on Education and the Legislative Depart- 
ment, and was esteemed in them an indefatigable 
and intelligent worker. 

Mr. Allen has attained a higli and honorable 
position at the Bar. He deals with the law as a 
science and sees the logical connection of its prin- 
ciples. He surveys the fields of legal lore with 
the clear, calm vision of a jurist. He is devoted 
to our system of jurisprudence, because it con- 
tains the crystallized thoughts of the best minds of 
ages and countries. He is noted for the power of 
his faculty for analysis, the quickness of his per- 
ception of the most remote analogies, the fineness 
and delicacy of his distinctions, and tiie rapiditj- 
of ills detection of inconsistencies in argument. 
In forensic conflicts he brings into requisition the 
best materials of law and fact. His positions are 
alwaj^s clear, logical and concise. His voice, 
though not strong, is distinct and penetrating, 
and his rhetoric faultless. When tiie occasion de- 
mands it, he ascends by easy gradation from the 
smooth, graceful conversational style suited to the 
courts, to a higher plane of oratory. Fired by the 
inspiration of the theme, he irradiates the case 
with brilliant flashes of eloquence that electrify the 
audience. His manner is earnest, and his ideas 
form in quick, unbroken succession. But his great 
power as a speaker is the elevation of his senti- 
ments and his rich and sparkling thoughts. Ring- 
ing tones, electric fires, and aptly chosen words 
merely form their draper}'. He is a cultured, 
scholarly man. His stjle, both in speaking and 
writing, is peculiarly his own. He is an inde- 



pendent thinker, and derives his information, when 
practicable, from original sources. In all things 
he is systematic and exact, and counts as worth- 
less all knowledge that is not accurate. 

During the vacations of the courts Mr. Allen 
does not remain idle, but continues in his office 
engaged in work or investigation. He deals with 
his clients with the utmost candor. Among his 
distinguishing characteristics is his fidelit}' to his 
friends. He possesses a high sense of honor, and 
is bold and unyielding in the defense of right. 
He devotes his periods of leisure to literary read- 
ing — historical, philosophical, critical and poetical 
— but never allows it to infringe upon his pro- 
fessional stud}' or work. He fully recognizes that 
truth so often urged by the sages of the law, 
that, of all men, the reading and thoughts of law- 
yers sliould be the most extended. Systematic 
and careful reading in the higher works of litera- 
ture — historical, philosophical, critical and poet- 
ical — gives breadth, freshness and comprehensive 
grasp to the mind, variety and richness to the 
thought, and a clearer perception of the motives 
of men and the principles of things, indeed of the 
very spirit of laws. Nature has given us both 
reason and fancy , and they are meant for use. 
Hence he argues that the mind should both reason 
and bloom. Besides, a cultured fanc_y guided by 
a severe taste is a source of invention in argu- 
ment. He occasionally writes, but only as a mat- 
ter of amusement or for the gratification of friends. 
His style in writing is clear, logical, chaste and 
impassioned. His thoughts are expressed with 
force and sententiousness; his fancy is delicate 
and subtle, and usuall}' pervades his writing. 

Mr. Allen is a charming conversationalist. His 
wide range of reading, habits of analysis and ob- 
servation, intuitive knowledge of the motives of 
men and women, his fine fancy, rapid play of 
thought, and quick apprehension, combine, with 
his genial good humor and innate charity, to 
make him an agreeable and most brilliant member 
of societ}', and to render his triumphs in the salon 
equal to those at the Bar. He is, both as the re- 
sult of thought and observation, a stanch and en- 
thusiastic friend of popular education, and is 
keenly alive to the advantages to be derived from 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



257 



an increase of facilities for university and scien- 
tific training for the young, During the eleven 
years prior to the summer of 1881 he was one of 
the Trustees of William Jewell College, and dur- 
ing the four and one-half 3'ears succeeding Janu- 
ary, 1885, he was a Curator of the l;niversity of 
Jlissouri, and earnestly co-operated with his asso- 
ciates in the promotion of the interests of these 
respective institutions. Probably to no one in 
the State is William Jewell College more indebted 
for its present high state of efficiency. 

Although not a member of any church, Mr. 
Allen entertains a high respect for religion, and 
conceives that reverence for it among the people 
is the life and soul of healthful, well-ordered so- 
ciety. He is public-spirited and ready at all times 
to aid and encourage those movements which tend 
to increase the material happiness and promote 
the culture of his community. His highest con- 
ception of the due execution of a man's life 
work is the faithful performance of duty. In 
politics, he is a firm, consistent Jeffersonian Dem- 
ocrat. 



? I ' I ' — 1 ' I 



JOHN CROWLEY, the energetic and enter- 
prising Mce-President of the Hank at Law- 
son, and widely known as one of the lead- 
^;^,^ ing and representative business men of 
Polk Township, Ray County, Mo., has prosper- 
ously followed various avocations, and through 
excellent business judgment has achieved success, 
and is now numbered among the extensive land- 
holders of the county. Industrious, hardworking, 
and withal possessed of sterling integrity of char- 
acter, our subject commands the esteem of a host 
of true friends. His parents, John and Sarah 
(Mayo) Crowley, were married in 1812, and in 
the year 1816 journe\'ed from East Tennessee to 
the struggling Territory- of Missouri, and, locat- 
ing within its borders, founded here a home for 
their descendants. 

The father and mother of t)ur subject were 
blessed by the birth of a large family of chil- 



dren, and of the eleven sjons and daughters wlio 
once clustered about the family table, but five 
now survive: Sarah, John, Thomas, Eliza and 
Millie M., all in their various homes and localities 
useful and honored citizens. Their father was a 
man of undoubted ability and well fitted to cope 
with the dangers and privations of pioneer life. 
Active, intelligent and progressive, he steadily 
won his way upward, and in time accumulated 
twenty-three hundred acres of valuable land, all 
of it being susceptible of high cultivation. The 
main business of Father Crowley's life was farm- 
ing and stock-raising, and, well understanding the 
duties of agriculture, he achieved more than ordi- 
nary success in the tilling of the soil. In polit- 
ical affiliation he was a pronounced Democrat, 
firmly believing in the principles of the party 
founded and sustained by the immortal Thomas 
Jefferson. His wife was a consistent member of 
the Baptist Church, and both of these worthy 
pioneers are yet well remembered as kind and 
generous friends and neighbors. Dying they be- 
queathed to their children the memory of their" 
man}' virtues, and left to them as a priceless in- 
heritance the love of country which has ever dis- 
tinguished their conduct as citizens. 

Our subject attained mature age in the IMissouri 
home, and, early trained in habits of self-reliance, 
grew up an energetic, capable and earnest man, 
ready for the battle of life. In search of both 
adventure and profit, he, in 1853, drove a herd of 
cattle to California, when the plains were fre- 
quently swept across by bands of hostile Indians. 
Returning again to Missouri, Mr. Crowley was, in 
1858, united in marriage with Miss Ann Fuller, 
who became the mother of nine children, and in 
1881 passed away, lamented bj- a large circle of 
friends and her immediate family. In 1883 our 
subject married the second time, his present wife 
having been Mrs. Carrie S. Pigeon, a daughter of 
Andrew and Mary Fuller, well-known residents 
of the State. Mr. and Mrs. Crowley are members 
of the Southern Methodist Episcopal Church, and 
are among the valued and influential workers in 
that religious organization, and are ever foremost 
in the i)romotion of social and benevolent enter- 
prise. 



258 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



At one time our subject gave much time and 
attention to the breeding of fine cattle, but is now 
engaged in general agriculture and stock-raising. 
Mr. Crowley owns one thousand acres of excellent 
land, much of it liiglil3' improved. In 1867 he for 
the first time engaged in the banking business, 
making his venture in Richmond, Mo., later en- 
tering into a similar financial enterprise in Law- 
son, and, aside from the fact that he is Vice-presi- 
dent of the bank, he is also the mainstay, executive 
manager and princii^al adviser as regards the 
method and handling of the daily business trans- 
acted. Fraternally', Mr. Crowley is a Free Mason 
and a member of Bee Ilive Lodge No. 393, at Law- 
son. Years have passed since our subject began 
life in the border land of the Southwest, and as 
the years have come and gone he has been more 
and more closely identified with the growth and 
progress of liis early home, and, an ardent be- 
liever in advancement and reform, h.as been an 
important factor in the upbuilding and develop- 
ment of local interests and improvement. Mr. 
Crowley is no politician, but he is a Democrat, 
and, in common with all good citizens, ever 
interested in the local and national affairs of the 
daj', and believes that sooner or later the prin- 
ciples of right and justice must universally pre- 
vail. 



^TK'DGE NILES ESREY. There is a certain 
picturesqueness about the nomadic habits of 
Americans, especially during the last cen- 
tury, for in connection with the desired 
change is the aspiration to open up to the world 
untried paradises. In England families are con- 
nected in history with certain localities for cen- 
turies, but in the States a settlement of a few years 
in a locality constitutes one an " old citizen." The 
Esrey family have perhaps as sm-e a claim to old 
citizenship as any in Missouri, for a half-century 
has elapsed since they came to take possession of 
the land. 

It was our subject's father who first migrated to 
Illinois from Me.ide County, K\'. lie was the Hon. 



Jesse Esrey and was born in 1800, a son of John 
Esrey, a Pennsylvanian, who was born July 5, 
1744, and was a stanch old patriot of English de- 
scent. The representative of the present genera- 
tion whose history we shall consider, Judge Niles 
Esrey, was born in Clark County, 111., June 25, 
1835. 

Grandfather Esrey made settlement in Ken- 
tuck}' at an early day. In 1776 he was married 
to Miss Hester Clark, a native of Pennsylvania 
and born June 5, 1758. The family later moved 
to Clark County, 111., where the old gentleman's 
decease occurred. It is a singular fact, that 
although one hundred and fifty 3'ears have elapsed 
since the birth of Grandfather Esrey, representa- 
tives of the three generations are still living. 

Jesse Esrey was reared as a farmer and was appar- 
ently of an inquiring turn of mind, for he wanted 
to sp}' out the best places in this goodly land, and 
with that in view first made a prospecting tour in 
Missouri in 1837. In 1840 he purchased a farm 
in Ci'ooked River Township, Ray County. He 
built a log house and lived in familiar companion- 
ship with the inhabitants of the forest and in true 
pioneer style. The thickly timbered places literally 
swarmed with deer .and even larger game. While 
living in Illinois our subject's father served in the 
Legislature in 1832 and 1833, and .again in Missouri 
in 1852 and 1853, and was a Justice of the Peace 
from the time he was twenty-one j'ears of age. He 
was a man who naturally took the lead and whose 
opinions were law to others, and was in religious 
inclinations a Methodist. 

She who guided the early steps of our subject 
was in her maidenhood Miss Hannah Foster, a 
native of Kentucky and of Irish-German descent. 
She was a highly esteemed matron until the ripe 
old age of eighty, and reared nine children, of 
whom our subject was the eighth in order of birth 
and one of five who are still living. Judge P^srey 
acquired the rudiments of his education in the 
pioneer schoolhouse which h.as been described many 
times within these p.ages. He remained on the 
homestead and took care of his mother until 1857. 

The first great change in our subject's life, was 
his marriage, which occurred December 24, 1857, 
when he was united to Missouri A. Stratton, of 



V"' 



i/8^' 



■X,. 



m^ ^'^ 




c/^M^^ i/U^^/^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



261 



Ray County, this State. She is a daughter of 
Daniel and Elizabeth Stratton, and one of a large 
family of cliildren. Her father died at the age of 
seventy-eight years, having reared his family in 
the faith of the Methodist Church. Mrs. Esrey is 
an amiable and capable woman, whose many good 
qualities well justify the confidence her Jiusband 
has in her. Judge Esrey has a fine farm compris- 
ing four hundred and twenty-six acres of land, 
which lies so that, kissed by the sun and made fer- 
tile by the waters, it is one of the best tracts of th is 
locality. He is a stockholder. Director and Pres- 
ident of the bank at Hardin, but gives his atten- 
tion chiefly, however, to his farming and stock- 
raisina. 



(^^\ H/rON CORUM, an energetic and success- 
ful agriculturist, and highly respected 
citizen of Clay County, has steadfastly 
won his upward way unaided, and now 
owns his valuable homestead, located upon section 
12, township 52, range 33, which from wild prauie 
land he has brought under a high state of cultiva- 
tion. Our subject was born in Green County, Ky., 
in 1810, and was the son of W. C. and Barsheba 
(Bloj'ed) Cornm, natives respectiveh' of Virginia 
and Somerset County, Md. W. C. Corum was the 
son of John and Nancy (Cookshin) Corum, the 
paternal grandfather being a native of England, 
who emigrated to America before the Revolution- 
ary War. 

The father of our subject removed to Kentucky 
in about 1804, and purchased land whereon to en- 
gage in the occupation of his life. In 1819 he 
came to Missouri with his family, and settled in 
Cooper County, where he entered land from the 
Government, and lived six years. ' Later he lo- 
cated in Claj' County, where he also entered Gov- 
ernment land, and made a home for his family 
upon a portion of the farm where our subject now 
resides. This pioneer citizen was a member of the 
Primitive Baptist Church. Politicalh-, he was a 
Democrat. He died at the age of eighty-six years. 



Arriving in Missouri in the very earh' days, Mil- 
ton Corum had but the most primitive advantages 
for an education. He received about two years' 
instruction in the old log schoolhouse with jjunch- 
eon floor, split logs for seats, a slab on one side 
for a writing-desk, and a log cut out for windows, 
and with mud and stick chimney. Having a taste 
for reading books containing valuable information, 
our subject has educated himself in matters of 
vital importance, and self-reliantly gained a stock 
of general knowledge, useful and higiily instruc- 
tive. 

When Mr. Corum and his good wife were chil- 
dren, they were obliged to spin flax and wool and 
assist in making the clothing. Among other pio- 
neer experiences, Mr. Corum was obliged, when he 
first came to Missouri, to travel sixteen miles to 
the nearest mill, then run by horse-jjower. Our 
subject was one of six children who gathered in 
the home of his father and mother so many years 
ago, as follows: Thomas, John Kearney, Milton; 
Nancy, Mrs. Dennis H. Boggess, deceased; Wil- 
kerson; and Susan, wife of Jackson Pistes. In 1837 
our subject married Miss Margaret T. Young, who 
was born in 1819, and is a daughter of Thomas 
and Abigail (Stroud) Young, all natives of Ken- 
tucky. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Corum have been bom 
ten children, one of whom died in infancy, the 
others surviving to become worthy and upright 
citizens. They are: John; Nancy A., wife of John 
M.Moore; Mary E., wife of Chrissman Johnson; 
Thomas, deceased; Alice J., who married William 
Pancake; Lucy, wife of William J. Wilkerson; 
Samuel; Stephen and Robert, deceased; and Sa- 
mantha M., Mrs. D. Best. 

At the time of our subject's marriage he re- 
ceived as a gift from his fatlicr eighty acres of 
wild prairie land, and the home prepared for his 
bride was sixteen feet square, and rude in con- 
struction. Mr. Corum had previously worked by 
the day and month, and being an expert cradler, 
profitably continued his outside work in the har- 
vest season for many years, while at the same time 
he judiciously managed his farm. He now owns 
two hundred acres of finely improved land, which 
annually yields an ainindant harvest, and thus re- 
wards the jjatient cultivation long continued. In 



262 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



political affiliation Mr. Corum is, as was liis fatlier 
before liim, an earnest Democrat, and interested in 
local and national issues, lie and his wife are 
members of the Christian Church, .ind are liberal 
supporters of that religious organization, and ever 
ready to assist in worth}' social, benevolent or re- 
ligious enterprises. Long-time residents of the 
county, the}' enjoy the confidence and esteem of a 
large circle of friends. 



\^^ 



UDGE WILLIAM J. FRANCIS, a man of 

higii ability and sterling integrity of char- 
acter and an honored veteran of the Mexi- 
can War, bravely engaging in the service 
of the Government when a mere boy, has for 
many years been numbered among the prominent 
and successful agriculturists of Clay County, Mo., 
and now resides upon his valuable homestead, lo- 
cated on section 2, township 52. range 32, and is 
well known as an energetic, resolute and indus- 
trious citizen. Our subject was born in 1825, in 
Jjincoln County, Ky., and is the son of Pearl and 
Harriet (Taylor) Francis, who were born in the 
years 1799 and 1801, respectively. The paternal 
grandparents were Henry F. and Elizabeth (Pearl) 
Francis. Grandfather Francis was supposedly 
born in Virginia and reared in Kentucky. He 
was a farmer by occupation, and died in Little 
Roc)f, Ark., where he went about 1828. Pearl 
Francis was one of seven children, and remained 
upon the old Kentucky homestead throughout his 
boyhood, and attended the common schools of 
those early days. At nineteen years of age he 
married, and engaged in farming. Arriving in 
Missouri in 1828 with but very limited means, he 
located in Gasconade County, and purchased Gov- 
ernment land. Later removing to Cole County, 
he owned a homestead of two hundred acres 
which was his home when, in 1850, on his way to 
California, he died of cholera at Ft. Laramie. He 
was a man of integrity and ability, and served as 
constable for many years in Cole County. 

Tlie mother of our subject survived until 186.3, 



and married a second time. The children of her 
first union were: Lumsford, deceased, who was 
with his father at the time of his death; Granville, 
deceased; Henry, who accompanied his father on 
the fatal journey, and died and was buried in the 
same grave; our subject, William .7., who is next 
in order of birth; Amanda, dece.ased; Sophia, wife 
of Charles Peck; Ebenezer, who died in California; 
T. Morgan, who resides in California; Mary F., 
the wife of William .lackson, of California; Ade- 
line, the wife of Robert Jackson, of Putnam 
County, Mo.; Robert, who lives in Arkansas; and 
Pe.arl, deceased. The stepfather of these children 
was a well-known citizen, James Burns. 

Judge Francis enlisted as a soldier at twenty 
years of age, engaging in the Mexican War in 
Company A, Missouri Infantry. He went out 
under Gen. Doniphan, but served most of the 
time under Gen. Price, and was also with the com- 
mand of Gen. Kearny for a brief period, and 
fought in several battles of that historical cam- 
paign. In 1847, returning again to his home, he 
was for two years variously occupied, b\il during 
this time attended school. 

In 1849, our subject in company with many 
others crossed the plains to California, journeying 
by ox-teams, and was four and a-ha!f months on 
the way. He mined on the Yuba River, near 
where Marysville now stands, and was quite suc- 
cessful in this venture. He continued mining op- 
erations one winter and spring, and then began 
trading at different posts, and found this profita- 
ble for the time being. In 1850, aboard a sail- 
ing-vessel, he crossed at Panama, and proceeded 
upon his homeward way by steamer to New York, 
and from there journeyed via Philadelphia to 
Baltimore, and then to the Monongahela River 
and Ohio to Cairo, thence by boat to St. Louis, 
and from that city by boat to his destination. In 
a short time Judge Francis bought a farm near 
Jefferson City, and in 1852 married Miss Jlartha 
Waller, a daughter of Granville and ^'irginia 
Waller. Unto our subject and his estimable wife 
were born six children. The sons and daughters 
who brought sunshine into the home were: Will- 
iam W.; Louisa, wife of James Collier, of Ft. 
Worth, Tex.; Mary, wife of French Boggess; Leona, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



263 



wife of Frank Braly; Sally, wife of Price Bog- 
gess; and Emmet L. The mother of these brothers 
and sisters died in 1874, and in 1879 Judge Fran- 
cis was united in marriage with IMiss Abbie Eeton, 
daughter of John and Elizabeth (Brooks) Ecton. 
Mrs. Francis is the mother of one child, a daugli- 
ter, Brooksie. Our subject owns one hundred and 
eighty acres of land purchased in 1866, and his 
wife also possesses one hundred and eighty acres 
of excellent farming property'. Judge Francis 
and his wife are valued members of the Baptist 
and Christian Churciies respectively and are always 
foremost in the good works of these religious de- 
nominations. Politically our subject is an active 
Democrat, and, enjoying the confidence of his 
party, was elected to his present honored position 
as Count}^ Jndge November 8, 1892, and since 
ably discharging the duties of his office has proven 
himself most thoroughly well qualified to preside 
upon the judicial bench witli dignity, efficiency 
and honor. 



ii<'?">G 



ON. JAMES EDWIN LINCOLN was born 
near Libert}', Mo., September 27, 1840, and 
is an honored member of a family whose 
representatives have been intimately con- 
nected with the grandest achievements in our 
nation's histor3\ His grandfather, Thomas Lin- 
coln, was a native of Rockingham County, Va., 
and a brother of Abraham Lincoln, the grand- 
father of the late lamented President of the 
United Stales. 

The father of our subject, George Lincoln, was 
born in Fayette County, Ky., April 15, 1792, and 
followed the trade of blacksmith and miller, also 
engaged in farming operations. In December, 
1822, he removed with his family to Missouri and 
entered a tract of land near Libert^', where he 
made his home until shortly before his death. A 
volunteer soldier in the War of 1812, he partici- 
pated in the battle of the River Raisin and m^n^' 
other engagements. Twice he was taken prisoner 
and also suffered the hardships of the memorable 



Canada campaign. During his residence in Claj* 
County, he erected one of its first gristmills, and 
as he was industrious and prudent, was almost in- 
variably successful in his undertakings. 

His health failing in the spring of 1847, George 
Lincoln made a trip to the Rocky Mountains, 
hoping to be benefited thereby'. On his attempt 
to return he could get no further than Council 
Bluffs, Iowa, where he died April 28, 1848, leaving 
his widow with thirteen children, namely: John, 
Robert, Gatcwood, William, Lemuel S., George T., 
Charles, James Edwin, Ann, Fannie, Cordelia, 
Lucy and Julia. The mother of our subject was 
Julia Ann, daughter of Peter Gatewood, a well- 
known farmer and stock-raiser of Fayette Count}', 
Ky., many of whose horses became celebrated on 
the turf. After the death of her husband, Mrs. 
Lincoln remained on the homestead and managed 
the aflfairs of the estate with rare business judg- 
ment. She reared her large family with a solici- 
tude that insured success and gave to the countr}' 
some of its best citizens. All of her sons make 
their home in Missouri, with the exception of 
George T., who resides in Benton ville. Ark. 

At the time of her death, September 5, 1892, 
Mrs. Lincoln was perhaps the only living resident 
of Clay County who settled there as the head of a 
family as early as 1822. She left surviving hev 
one hundred lineal descendants, scattered in the 
various walks of life throughout the great West 
from the British possessions to the Gulf of Mexico. 
Of this large family of which she was the head, 
eight are her children, forty-six grand-children 
and forty-six great-grandchildren. Her daugh- 
ters are all married. Ann T., formerly the wife of 
John A. Beauchamp, died in Clay County in 1853; 
Fannie is the widow of Isaac N. Hockaday, who 
died at Plattsburg, Mo., in April, 1874; Cordelia, 
who died in 1858, was the wife of Col. John Lee 
Howard, of Mason County, Ky.; Lucy Gatewood 
Lincoln married Thomas K. Bradlej-, a merchant, 
formerly of Liberty, but now with his family re- 
siding in Nebraska City; Julia is now the wife of 
Hon. John M. McMichael, who at one time was ed- 
itor of the Plattsburg Lever. 

James Edwin Lincoln was educated in the pri- 
vate schools of Libert}-, most of the time under 



264 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



his favorite tutor, Dr. Tliomas S. Dabney. In 
1860 lie graduated from William Jewell College of 
Liberty. Two years later he completed the course 
of study in the Law University at Louisville, Ky., 
and after graduating at that institution he re- 
turned to Liberty, where he opened an office for 
the practice of his pi-ofession. Owing to the bit- 
terness engendered by the Civil War then in 
pi-ogress, civil proceedings were superseded by 
militar3' authorit}', and consequentlj' all law was 
suspended, and Mr. Lincoln went to Colorado and 
Montana, where he engaged in trading. In 1864 
he returned to his home and in the following 
year resumed his practice, by entering into part- 
nership with Col. II. L. Routt. To this gentleman 
Mr. Lincoln expresses himself as greatl}' indebted 
for valuable aid in obtaining knowledge in the 
practice of law, adding, "for no man is more grate- 
fully remembered than he who lends a helping 
hand to a j'oung lawyer struggling for a recogni- 
tion at the Bar; and to Col. Routt most of the 
younger members of the Liberty Bar are under 
lasting obligations for his kindness and assistance 
at a time when they most needed it." 

The partnership with Col. Routt was dissolved 
in the fall of 1867, when Mr. Lincoln formed a 
connection with Col. W. H. Woodson, which con- 
tinued until January, 1873. Since that year he has 
conducted his jn-actice alone. As an attorney he 
has had charge of many of the most important 
and complicated cases that have been before the 
courts of Missouri, some of which involved large 
amounts of property and lasted as long as ten 
years. In almost all these cases he has been suc- 
cessful and his practice has increased to a flattering 
degree, until now it absorbs his constant and un- 
divided attention. 

December 7, 186.5, Mr. Lincoln married Miss 
Margaret Pixlee Bird, of Liberty. Her father, 
Greenup Bird, Sr., now deceased, was one of the 
sterling Christian men of the State and for over 
forty years was a prominent business man of Lib- 
erty, where he was highly esteemed. His wife, 
Catherine (Pixlee) Bird, was the daughter of Will- 
iam Pixlee, one of the pioneers of Clay Countj-, 
and a man of high standing in his community. 
Mr. and Mrs. Linculn have been the parents of five 



children, three of whom are now living: Katherine 
Bird, born in 1873; Gatewood Saunders, born in 
187.5, and J. Edwin, whose birth occurred in 1878. 
The eldest and 3'oungest, Loraand Charles Prince- 
ton, are deceased. 

Politicalh' Mr. JJncoln is a Democrat and is 
prominent in the public affairs of Liberty and 
Clay County. In 1871 he was elected City At- 
torney of Liberty, and in the fall of 1872 Prose- 
cuting Attorney for Cla}' County, serving two 
years, after which he decline<i re-election. In 
1876 he was chosen to represent his county in the 
Twenty-ninth General Assembly of the Missouri 
Legislature. This being the first session under the 
new Constitution was one of the most important 
in the histoiy of the State, as it involved a gen- 
eral change in existing laws and the enactment of 
many new ones. Mr. Lincoln took an active part 
in all the proceedings, serving on several commit- 
tees, and was chairman of the special committee 
appointed to amend and conform the laws to the 
new Constitution. The Journal of the House 
furnishes ample evidence of his work as chairman 
of that committee. 

In 1878 Mr. Lincoln was elected Probate Judge 
of Clay County and in 1882 was re-elected with- 
out opposition. In 1884 he resigned as Probate 
Judge and Curate of the State University, which 
office he held by appointment from the Governor 
He then removed to Colorado and established a 
bank at Buena Vista, the firm name being Lincoln, 
Hockaday A Co. His health failing, he sold out 
his business and returned to Liberty, where he 
resumed the practice of law. 

All educational enterprises find in Mr. Lincoln 
a firm friend and he has done all in his power to 
foster schools and colleges, believing that the fu- 
ture interests of our country depend upon the edu- 
cation of the children. He is also an unfaltering 
friend of the temperance movement, and in rehg- 
ious connections is a member of the Christian 
Church, which he joined in his eighteenth year 
while at college. Since 1862 he has been a mem- 
ber of Liberty Lodge No. 31, F. & A. M.,and sub- 
sequently joined Chapter No. 3, and since 1873 
has been identified with the Liberty Commandery 
No. 6, K. T., in all of which lodges he has filled 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



265 



different official positions. For a quarter of a cen- 
tury' or more he lias Iteen identified with the his- 
tory- of Clay County as one of its most prominent 
and popular citizens, and is connected with the 
Bar of the State as one of its keenest intellects and 
most successful representatives. 



^Mil-^-i^li^ 



II. DOLUS, a piosperous general agriculturist 
and successful stock-raiser, owning a valuable 
Ik, farm, located upon section 20, township 53, 
range 30, Claj- County, Mo., is an energetic, up- 
right and higlih' respected citizen and well known 
in this portion of the State, and also in and about 
Kansas City, near which thriving town our subject 
lived for some time. He was born in the year 
1853, and is the sou of George W. and Louise 
(Majors) Dollis, who were blessed with a family 
of nine children, two daughters and seven sons. 
The brothers and sisters were Susan, Sarah Ellen, 
William, James, I. H. (our subject), George, Rufus, 
John and Edward. Those deceased were Susan, 
James, Rufus and John. Those living are all oc- 
cupying positions commanding respect and honor. 

The beloved wife and mother, Louisa (Majors) 
Dollis, died in 1876, after a life of usefulness aud 
unselfish devotion to her bereaved family. In 
1879, Mr. Dollis was united in marriage with Mrs. 
Fannie (Soper) Shaver, and she is yet surviving. 
George "\V. Dollis is a native of Mason County, 
Ky., and was born in the 3ear 1816. From early 
boj'hood energetic and enterprising, he began the 
daily toil of life when but a little lad, and re- 
ceived only a primarj- education in the little sub- 
scription schools of his early home. In 1840, he 
removed from Kentucky to Missouri, and located 
in Clay County. A lifelong farmer, he devoted 
the extensive acreage of his landed property to the 
purposes of general agriculture and stock-raising. 

Until seventy -six years of age, the father of our 
subject was an active worker, always industri- 
ous, and could hold his own side by side with 
young and sturdy men. Bringing his fine farm of 
six hundred and fifteen acres under cultivation, 



he has also been an important factor in the de- 
velopment of various prominent interests of his 
county. Both George W. Dollis and his excellent 
wife are members of the Christian Church and are 
ever ready to aid in the good work of that relig- 
ious denomination. Mr. Dollis is in political belief 
a Democrat, and is always interested in the local 
and national management of affairs, and is widely 
known as a man of integrity and honor. 

Our subject was born in 1853, and was reared 
and educated in the neighboring school and upon 
the homestead of his parents. Arrived at man's 
estate, and well fitted to begin life for himself, 
having had a practical training upon his father's 
farm, and being thoroughly at home in all the de- 
tails of agricultural life, he married in 1887 Miss 
Rosalie Brawuer, and removed to Kansas, which 
he then made his home for four years, spending 
this time in the cultivation of one hundred and 
twenty acres of valuable land, fifteen miles from 
Kansas City, which farming property he still owns. 
Fraternally, Mr. I. II. Dollis is a member of the 
Alliance, and is in political affiliation, as was his 
father before him, an ardent Democrat. Mr. and 
Mrs. Dollis are both active aud valued members of 
the Christian Church, and within aud without that 
religious organization have a large circle of friends 
and acquaintance, and, ever ready to aid others 
less fortunate than themselves, are hospitable and 
generous Christian people, worthy of the respect 
entertained for them by all who have the pleasure 
of their acquaintance. 



\Tr^OBERT BRECKENRIlXiE, an energetic, 
LLsij successful and representative general far- 
A \\\ mer and stock-raiser, has been intimately 
^^ associated with the local progress and ad- 
vancement of Clay County, Mo., for more than 
three-score years, and, a man of worth and intelli- 
gence, commands the esteem and confidence of a 
large circle of friends and acquaintance. Our sub- 
ject was born in Bourbon County, Ky., in 182.'), 



266 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and was the son of Edlj'n and Eleanor (Duncan) 
Brecken ridge, earl)' and honored pioneer settlers 
of Missouri. Robert Brecken ridge was but four 
3'ears of age when bis parents brought him to their 
new home in Clay County. Here he received a 
primary education in the primitive schools of the 
neigiiborhood. lie remained with his parents un- 
til he had attained manhood, and when about the 
age of twenty-one, entered the ITnited States ser- 
vice as a teamster during the Mexican War, and 
went to Santa Fe, N. M., being absent six months, 
returning overland in 1847. 

In common with our self-made men who are the 
backbone and sinew of this great republic, our sub- 
ject Itegan life at the foot of the ladder, and 
climbed steadily upward. In 1853, he bought 
eighty acres of wild land, which he has brought up 
to a high state of cultivation, and has added to 
his homestead one hundred acres more, which 
land is cleared and now mostly in pasture. The 
first home built was a very inferior log house, but 
a commodious and attractive structure has replaced 
the residence of early daj'S. The occupation of 
Mr. Breckenridge's life has been general farming 
and stock-raising, but in one year after his mar- 
riage, which occurred in 1849, allured by the mar- 
velous stories of California's glittering treasure, 
he bade a farewell to his home and wife and with 
a brother and a friend crossed the plains in 1850, 
and was alisent sixteen months, making the over- 
land trip in about seventy-five days. His success 
was not sufficient to keep him longer from his 
pleasant home, and having worked in the mines 
and around Hangtown he returned by water, via 
New Orleans, crossing the Isthmus. 

Once more upon the farm, Mr. Breckenridge re- 
turned to the labor of agricultural life. His es- 
timalile wife was Miss Elizabeth Young, a daugh- 
ter of Thomas and Abigail (Strode) Young, well 
known to a large circle of friends. Our subject 
and his wife have the following children, all highly 
respected citizens, and at home or not far sepa- 
rated from their parents. Matthew, the eldest, is lo- 
cated in Higginsville, Mo.; Alexander is at home; 
George lives in Clay County; Araminta is the eld- 
est daughter; Lou is Mrs. Erwin, of Macon Cit^'; 
Vida C. and William C. are at lionie. Mr. Breck- 



enridge is a member of the Christian Church, and 
his family are among the valued workers of that 
religious organization. Politically, our subject is 
a Democrat, and interested in all that pertains to 
the wise management of local and national affairs, 
and useful, industrious and public-spirited, he is 
among the important factors in the progress and 
advancement of his State and county. 



EV. WILLIAM R. ROTIIWELL, professor 
of Theology- and Moral Philosophy in Will- 
iam Jewell College, at Liberty, is a promi- 
^'^ nent representative of the old and re- 
spected family of Rothwells, of Callaway County, 
Mo., but originally of Virginia. An extended 
notice of the family appears in the historj' of Cal- 
laway County, also in the histories of Randolph 
County, where Hon. Gideon F. Rothwell resides, 
and of Audrain County, of which Dr. Thomas P. 
Rothwell is a resident. From the " United States 
Biographical Dictionary" (Missouri Volume) we re- 
produce the following sketch of the Rev. Dr. Roth- 
well's life: 

William R. Rothwell was born in Garrard County, 
Ky., Septeml)er 2, 1831. His parents, John Roth- 
well, M. D., and China (Renfro) Rothwell, daugh- 
ter of Dr. William Renfro, of Garrard County, K}-., 
were of Virginian birth and English descent. 
They had six children, three sons and three daugh- 
ters. In 1831, soon after the birth of the subject 
of this sketch, they removed to Callaway Count}', 
Mo. From early childhood William was studious 
and gave great promi.se of becoming an eminent 
scholar. He attended the common schools of the 
county in which his father resided, and with the 
help of two sessions at academies, was prepared in 
1851 to enter the Missouri LTniversity, from which 
he was graduated with the degree of Master of 
Arts, Jul>' 4, 1854, taking the first honor in a class 
of ten. 

At the time of his graduation, our subject had 
decided upon the medical profession, but his plans 
were changed by his being, in the same year, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



267 



elected principal of VAm Ridge Academj', Howard 
County, Mo., where lie received a very encourafr- 
ing salary, and, being stimulated by success, he re- 
mained for two and one-half 3'ears, when he was 
elected the first President of the Baptist Female 
College, at Columbia, iMo. (now known as Stepiiens 
College). After a year of service there he was 
elected to succeed Rev. William Tiiompson,LL. I)., 
as President of Mt. Pleasant College, Huntsville, 
Mo., which position he held with great success for 
twelve j-ears. 

In 18.53 oui- subject was converted under the 
preaching of Rev. Tyre C. Harris, of Columbia, 
Mo., and seven years later he was ordained to the 
ministry, and was successively pastor of tlie Baptist 
Churches at Huntsville and Ke^'tesville, JIo. Dur- 
ing the years 1871-72 he was Corresponding Sec- 
retary of the Baptist Oeneral Association of Mis- 
souri, in which position he acquitted himself with 
marlied ability. His letters and communications 
while serving in that capacity are noted as being 
among the most graceful and forcible that have 
emanated in the interest of that body. In 1872 
tie was elected Professor of Theology and Moral 
Philosophj' iu William .Tewell College, which posi- 
tion he still holds (1893). He was also acting 
President of the college from 1873 to 1883. In 
1874 his Alma Mater, the University of Missouri, 
in honorable recognition of his distinction as a 
man of letters, conferred upon him the dignity of 
Doctor of Divinity. Every moment of his time 
since graduating has been one of intellectual ac- 
tivity and usefulness. 

The marriage of Prof. Rotluvell in 185.5 united 
him with Miss Louisa, daughter of Allen Hughes, 
of Howard County. Mo. In 1860 Mrs. Rothwell 
died, leaving one son, John Hughes, who is a 
graduate of William Jewell College, and of Belle- 
vue Hospital Medical College, of New York, and 
is a succes.sful physician of Liberty. In 1863 Prof. 
Rothwell married Miss Fannie A., daughter of Y. 
K. Pitts, of rxlasgow. Mo., and they are the par- 
ents of one son, Younger Pitts, who, having grad- 
uated from William Jewell College, is now pursu- 
ing his studies in Germany. 

Perhaps in few homes of tiic State could be 
found a more comidete library than that of I'rof. 



Rothwell. He has spared neither time nor ex- 
pense in adding to it the standard works on theo- 
logy and moral philosophy, besides valuable en- 
cyclopedias. His taste for literature and his de- 
sire for improvement have drawn around him 
friends of high social standing. He is in perfect 
sympathy with the Baptist workers throughout the 
State, who frequently enjoy the hospitalities of his 
beautiful home. He has been a frequent contribu- 
tor to both religious and secular periodicals. An 
" Address on Christian Education," published by 
the Missouri Baptist Historical Society in 1888, 
had a very extensive reading. He is the author 
of a treatise on "The New Testament Church 
Order," and of a volume of letters on >' Reading 
the Scriptures." 

Politically, Prof. Rothwell is a Democrat, always 
voting, but not otherwise taking any great inter- 
est in politics. Six feet in height and erect, his 
personal appearance is verj' commanding. Pos- 
sessing an easy dignity and genial manners, he is 
naturally very popular among both the students 
of the college and his fellow-citizens. His sense 
of duty impels him to the front whenever princi- 
ple or honor calls. He is a ripe scholar of elegant 
culture, in the prime of his mental vigor, and a 
man of liberal and expansive views. Perhaps no 
one in the State stands higher in the love and 
confidence of his denomination of Christians 
than he. 



^N— -f^i^^--"- 



-^ 



l^\ ICHAEL CA^'ANAl•GH, an energetic and 
I \\\ enterprising agriculturist and highly re- 
I IK spected citizen, now residing upon section 
* 6, township 52, range 32, Clay County, 

Mo., has brought his valuable homestead of one 
hundred and twenty acres up to a high state of 
cultivation, until the fertile soil of the once wild 
land and heavil}' timbered wilderness yields him 
an abundant harvest of golden grain and fruit. 
Our subject was born "in County Wexford, Ireland, 
in 1826, and was the son of Patrick and Bridget 
(Koach) Cavanaugli. The parents were both ua- 



268 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAnilCAL RECORD. 



tives of the Emerald Isle, the father liaving been 
born in the Old Country in 1790, and llie mother 
in 1795. The paternal grandfather, Matthew 
Cavanaugh, also born in Ireland, was well known 
as a man of sterling integrity of character. In 
the early part of Patrick Cavanaugh 's life, he 
owned a small tract of hnid, but he derived the 
support for iiimself and family from his work as a 
laborer on a farm, or in public work. 

The father and mother of our subject were mem- 
bers of the Roman Catliolic Church, and reared 
their children in the faith of their forefathers. 
Their entire family of six sons and one daughter 
emigrated to the United States, and have for 
many years been numbered among the useful and 
law-abiding citizens of our great country. The 
brothers and sister were Matthew; Michael; Mary, 
the wife of William McPatten; James, deceased; 
John, deceased; Phillip and Patrick. Our sub- 
ject began to make his own way in the world 
at eight j'ears of age, and had therefore literally 
no opportunities for even a primary education. A 
briglit little lad, he worked eight weary years for 
one man, receiving but thirty-two shillings per 
year. He then spent about two years in various 
kinds of employment, and finally determined to 
try his fortunes beyond the sea. Having carefully 
hoarded enough money to bring him to America, 
he crossed the broad Atlantic, and, landing in 
(Quebec, soon found his way to Vermont, where he 
remained only a month, when he removed to New 
York State and there finding work was busil}' em- 
ployed for three years. 

Inducements having been offered to him, our 
subject next journeyed to Indiana, which State he 
made his home for twelve years, his employment 
most of the time being day labor. Thrifty, 
prudent and hard-working, Mr. Cavanaugh saved 
up several hundred dollars and settled in Kansas, 
where through unprofitable investments he lost 
all his hard-earned money. With unabated energy 
and honest resolution, he set himself to work 
again, and coming to Clay County, Mo., was soon 
enabled to purchase his present homestead, to the 
improvement of which he has devoted himself 
with excellent results. Soon after reaching the 
United States, our subject and ou(^ of his brotliers 



sent for their parents and younger members of the 
family, and ere long parents and children were re- 
united in "the land of the free." The father and 
mother enjoyed a pleasant home in Clay County, 
and here died a few years age. Our subject was 
married in New York, in 1853, to Miss Ellen Brean, 
who has been the motlier of several children, of 
whom but three survive. John is the eldest of the 
family. Michael C. is the father's namesake, and 
the second son. Elizabeth, the wife of James Fay, 
is the only surviving daughter. Mr. Cavanaugh 
rejoices in the birth of ten bright and promising 
grandchildren, who, preserving the family name, 
will take their place among the well-educated and 
honored citizens of the United States. In political 
affiliations, our subject is a Democrat, and ever in- 
terested in local and national issues. An intelli- 
gent, liberal and upright citizen, a kind friend 
and good neighbor, Mr. Cavanaugli has the good- 
will and best wishes of a large circle of old-time 
acquaintances, who thoroughly appreciate iiis ster- 
ling integrity of character. 



4'=zi:*=* 



j^^ ALVIN IIAUSER, a retired lumber merchant 
of Richmond, Mo., was born in Fishing 
i/J River Township, Ray County, Mo., March 
26, 1841, the eldest son of Thomas and Susan H. 
(Ilindman) Ilauser, the father being a native of 
North Carolina, and the mother of Tennessee. The 
latter was a daughter of William Hindman, who 
was of French and German descent. Her mar- 
riage took place in Clay Count}', Mo., whither 
she had come with her parents in 1839. 

Mr. and Mrs. Ilauser, Sr., settled near Missouri 
City, in Clay County, and after some 3ears' resi- 
dence there removed to Fishing River Township, 
where the father carried on general farming until 
his death, April 14, 18»1. He was born in 1809. 
The mother died October 1,1892, aged seventy 
years. Our subject passed his j'outh upon the 
farm, attending the public schools, and later, after 
one year in the Lewis Institute, in Clay County, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD. 



269 



tauglit school, t'ontiiuiiiig in the profession for 
ten years. lu the spring of 1878 he went into the 
lumber ancl implement trade, the name of the 
firm being Jackson, Patton ife Ilauser, and it con- 
tinued to do a large and successful business for 
twelve years. At the expiration of that time Mr. 
Ilauser and ISIr. Patton sold their interest to W. 
H. .lackson. after which our subject devoted his 
entire time to the management of his property. 

Calvin Hauser, our subject, was married four 
times, his second wife being Rhodic .Jackson, who 
had born to her one son, Orville K. His i)resent 
wife was Miss Addie Smith, daughter of John 
II. Smith, of Richmond, Mo., by whom he has one 
daughter, Deborah L. In politics our subject is 
verj' conservative, reaching conclusions after ma- 
ture deliberation, and declining to be held down 
b3- any rule prescribed by others. He is a mem- 
ber of Harmony Lodge, A. F. & A. M., at Vibbard. 
His membershi|) is in the Christian Union Church 
and his wife holds hers in the Methodist Episcopal 
Church South. He has a very attractive new 
frame residence on North Main .Street, with pleasing 
surroundings of grove and lawn, where amid com- 
forts and luxuries he can look back on a life spent 
with profit, it having brought him more than a 
sutKcieucy against the conventional "rainy day," 
however long its continuance. 



<«l IMLLI AM A. THOMASON, a successful gen- 
^i\ '* eral agriculturist and well-known and 



¥ 



highly respected citizen, residing on sec- 
tion 6, township 52, range 32, Clay County, Mo., 
is intelligent, energetic and enterprising, and 
nearly two-score of years ago made his home upon 
the one hundred and twenty acres then unbroken 
prairie land, but which now, yielding to a high 
state of improvement, annually returns our subject 
an excellent income. Mr. Thomason was born in 
Scott County, Ky., September i, 1830. He was the 
son of Nelson and .Sarah (Thomps<jn) Thomason. 
Nelson Thomason was a native Virginian and was 
born about 1800; he was a farmer by occupation 
and went to Kentucky with his parents in hisyoulli. 

13 



Notwithstanding his youth he served in the War 
of 1812, entering in 1813. He was but seventeen 
years of age when his father died, and immediately 
took charge of the farm, managing the homestead 
until his marriage some years later. Prospering, 
he became an extensive land-holder, also owning 
about thirty slaves, who were liberated by the 
Civil War. 

Our subject had but limited advantages for 
gaining book knowledge, but obtained a primary 
education in the district schools of his home neigh- 
borhood in Kentuckv'. At the age of twent^'-one 
j'ears William Thomason w.as united in marriage 
with iMiss Frances Moore, a daughter of John and 
Sarah A. (Wills) Moore. JMrs. Thomason was born 
in Scott County, Ky., in 1835, and there was 
reared and educated. Her parents were both na- 
tives of the same county, the father being born 
in 1802, and the mother, his junior by nine years, 
in 1811. Mr. Moore was in early life an overseer 
of a large cotton plantation in the State of Missis- 
sippi, where he superintended the culture and 
picking of the valuable crop for a term of nine 
years. At the expiration of this time he returned 
to Scott Count}-, Ky., where he married and re- 
mained the greater part of his life. The very last 
days of his useful and honored career were spent 
in Claj' County, Mo., he there passing away at the 
good old age of eiglit\' j-eais. 

The pleasant home of Mr. and Mrs. Thomason 
has been blessed by the birth of nine children. 
Of the sons and daughters who once gathered 
around the family' hearth, but one died in infancy; 
the others, surviving the perils of childhood, lived 
to mature years. The brothers and sisters whose 
names are chronicled are Lucy E. and Robert L., 
deceased; Sarah, wife of John Moore; Marj', wife 
of Merritt Council ; John; Eveline, wife of D. D. 
McDowell; Samuel M. and Matilda. All the sur- 
viving children" of our subject are occupying po- 
sitions of usefulness and honor and enjoy the 
confidence and esteem of a large circle of friends. 
It was in 1854 that Mr. Thomason and his family 
first came to Clay County and located upon their 
present homestead. Many seasons have passed, 
and in the changes of the years our subject has 
bcfi) intimately associated with the best interests 



270 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of his neighborhood and county. He and his es- 
timable wife are valued members of the Cliristian 
Cliurcli and are among the liberal supporters of 
tiiat denomination. In political affiliations, Mr. 
Thomason is a Democrat and an earnest advocate 
of the party. Liberal-minded and just in business 
dealings and a man of undoubted integrity of 
character, he worthily ranks among the substantial 
citizens of the county. 



^^-=^=^>^^<^ 



(i^^HOMAS LIGGETT, a prominent and suc- 
((('^^ cessful agriculturist of Q\sxy County, Mo., 
^V^^ is a native of the State, and possesses a 
most entertaining and valuable store of remi- 
niscences of the early pioneer days. His personal 
experiences not only in Missouri but in the Far 
West, more than two-score years ago, are vividly 
interesting and graphic in description of scenes of 
frontier life, which have long since yielded place 
to more advanced civilization. 

Our subject was born in Howard County, Mo., 
July 26, 1826, and was a son of Thomas and Eliza- 
beth (Lemons) Liggett. The father was born in 
Wythe County, Va., and the mother in Orange 
County. N. C. The paternal gr.andfather, John 
Liggett, was a native of the Old Dominion, but 
was of immediate Irish descent. He was an ear- 
nest and energetic man, and aside from the prosper- 
ous pursuit of agriculture, ran a gristmill on John's 
Creek. Thomas Liggett, Sr., was born on his fa- 
ther's farm, and also devoted himself to the peace- 
ful avocation of a tiller of the soil. While yet a 
young and unmarried man, he entered tiie service 
of the Government in the War of 1812, and was 
in the army 6f Gen. Jackson, and in the command 
of Capt. Brown. When at Natchez, Miss., he ex- 
perienced the horrors of being in the midst of an 
epidemic of j'ellow fever. After the war ended, 
the father of our subject returned home, and again 
resumed farming duties. 

Thomas Liggett, Sr., was first married in Vir- 
ginia, and unto him and his wife were born seven 
children, who, with their motlier, long since entered 



into rest. A second marriage gave to the father an- 
other son, Enoch Liggett, now a very wealthy citi- 
zen of Gentry County, Mo. The second wife died 
in about 1814, and almost immediately afterward 
Father Liggett removed to Missouri, and, having 
located in Howard County, there married the 
mother of our subject, who was the daughter of 
Jacob Lemons, a veteran hero of the Revolutionary 
War. Grandfather Lemons, who was a native of 
Ireland, was a brave and fearless man, and ear- 
nestly desiring to assist in establishing the freedom 
of the Colonies, served courageously under Wash- 
ington, and unraurmuringly shared the sufferings 
and privations of those troublous days. Much 
of the time without shoes, his feet bare and bleed- 
ing, he marched through tempests, steadily for- 
ward to victory, the blood-stained snow only re- 
vealing the story of the soldiers' humble heroism. 
When Grandfather Lemons first came to America, 
he made his home in Hillsborough, N. C, where he 
reared his family of two sons and two daughters. 
He was not greatly prospered in worldly .iffairs, 
and much of his life was spent in a struggle with 
poverty. The sons never left North Carolina, but 
the daughters came to Missouri, making the weari- 
some journey with a team, and walking nearly all 
the wa}'. 

Unto the father and mother of our subject were 
born eight children, of whom Thomas was the eld- 
est. Amanda, deceased, was the first daughter, 
and became the wife of Alex Steward. America 
married James Galloway. .Tames, tiie second son, 
is deceased. Emmeline, deceased, was Mrs. Gar- 
rett. Ilettie is dead. Minerva has been twice 
married — first to W.ashington Munkus, afterward 
to Lemuel Ferrell; she is now deceased. Frank 
was the youngest of the family. For a number of 
years the father farmed in the rich bottom lands 
of Howard Count3% Mo., and then removed to 
Clay County, where he bought four hundred and 
forty acres of timber .and prairie land. Here he 
remained, enjoying the respect and good wishes of 
all his friends and neighbors, until his death at the 
age of seventj^-three 3'ears. He was politically a 
Jacksonian Democrat, and had been for many years 
a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. Our 
subject received his education in the little log 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



271 



schoolliouse of his home neighborhood. A ruder 
structure can scarcely be conceived, with its punch- 
eon floor, split logs for seats, and one slab across a 
side of tlie room for a writing-desk. The huge fire- 
place and a chimney of sticks and stones were al- 
most as essential to comfort as the window fash- 
ioned by cutting through a log. Such was the 
pioneer temple of learning where the farmer boys 
and girls gleaned the rudiments of a primary edu- 
cation, and from which, advancing steadily up- 
ward, many have in later years won high honors 
and renown. For some time after attaining his 
majority, Mr. Liggett had charge of his father's 
farm, and in starting out in life for himself, made 
a trip to New Mexico for the Government. The 
outfit of twenty-five wagons was em[ilo}'ed in 
hauling provisions and general supplies. As game 
was abundant, our subject found frequent use for 
his rifle, and in one night shot three buffaloes by 
moonlight. 

In 18^0, Mr. Liggett crossed tlie plains to Cali- 
fornia, and starting with four wagons on the 1st 
of May, reached Hangtown, or Placer ville, as it is 
now called, the second day of September. The ex- 
posure of the long journej' had affected our sub- 
ject unfavorably-, and from the time of his arrival 
in the Golden State up to the date of his depart- 
ure for home, a few months later, he was never 
well, and consequent!^' never engaged in the min- 
ing operations to which he had looked forward so 
hopefully. Returning to Clay County by water, 
he was four months at sea, and experienced the 
violence of a fearful storm, which swept the Gulf 
f>f INIexico. In spite of the rough passage home, 
l\Ir. Liggett improved constantly in health while 
on shipboard, and leaving Sacramento with but a 
weight of one hundred and thirty-five pounds, 
gained so much in avoirdupois, that when he 
landed he weighed one hundred and eiglity-five 
pounds. February 2, 1851, our subject was again 
among familiar scenes, and warmly welcomed home 
by the companions of his Ixjyhood. In tlie fol- 
lowing August he was married to Miss Nancy 
Angeline Galloway, daughter of .Joseph and Sarah 
(Howdeshell) Gallowa^', well-known residents of 
Missouri. Into the pleasant home of Mr. and i\Irs. 
Liggett came fifteen children, two of wlioiu died 



in infancy. The thirteen sisters and brothers who 
survived to adult age were: Sarah J., who married 
Henry Ba3'ers; John T.; William; Louisa, the wife 
of Lawrence Bayers; Mollie, married to George 
Frix; Irena, Robert, Stephen and David, deceased; 
Frank, Lucy, Mattie and Nannie. During No- 
vember, 188(5, Mr. Liggett was terribly bereaved, 
losing within a few weeks both wife and four 
children. 

After the marriage of our subject, his father 
gave him eighty acres of unimproved land, where 
he now lives. The eighty acres long since yielded 
to a high state of cultivation, and the homestead 
has extended its area to one hundred and sixty- 
five acres of fine land, all improved. Beginning 
life literally without capital, Mr. Liggett has well 
provided for his family and achieved a comfort- 
able competence for his declining years. In politi- 
cal belief, he is a strong Democrat, and in religious 
affiliation, is a devoted member of tbe Missionary 
Baptist Church. As an earnest, hard-working citi- 
zen, of undoubted integrity of character, and an 
honored and representative pioneer, our subject is 
widely known, and thoroughly enjoys the esteem 
and confidence of the general public. 



,OBKKT L. IlAMIj;rON, M. D.. is a very 
promising 3'oung physician of Richmond, 
Mo., and occupies a neat residence in the 
g) southern part of the city. He was born at 
Elkhorn, Ray County, Mo., May 6, 1866, and is 
the only son of Walter C. and Lucretia (Shackel- 
ford) Hamilton. The father of our subject is a 
native of Kentucky, and the mother of C'la}' 
County, Mo., the latter being a daughter of Ry- 
land Shackelford, a native of Kentucky, but an 
earl)' settler of Bay County. 

The father of our subject is j'el living on the 
old farm near Klkhorn, which he settled in 1833, 
doing a general farming and stock-raising busi- 
ness. The mother also is living and in the enjoy- 
ment of excellent health. The grandfather of Or, 



272 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Hamilton was Judge Thomas Hamilton, an early 
settler, who came heie from Kentucky and was a 
very popular and widely known citizen. 

Dr. Robert L. Hamilton passed his youtli on the 
farm, attending the public schools of the district, 
but subsequently took a business course at Stan- 
berry, Mo. After this he read medicine with ids 
vinele. Dr. II. 1>. Hamilton, and then entered the 
Missouri Medical College at St. Louis. He subse- 
([uently attended the Marion Simms College of 
Medicine at St. Louis, graduating in March, 1891. 
He then returned to Richmond and began the 
l)ractice of medicine, in which he has succeeded re- 
markably well, and is fast gaining the coufidence 
of the public, and is devoting himself earnestly' to 
his work. 

Dr. Hamilton was married December 30, 1891, 
to Miss Lena Taylor, of Orrick, Ray County, of 
which county she is a native. She is a daughter 
of M. G. Taj'lor, a general merchant at Orrick. 
Our subject is a member of the Ancient Free ct 
Accepted Masons, also of the Chapter; a Royal 
Aich Mason, and of Turner Lodge No. 177, K. of P. 
In politics, he is a Democrat, and supjiorts that 
party with an earnestness born of honest convic- 
tion. Dr. Hamilton has the advantage of an ex- 
cellent literary as well as professional training, 
and with a wide-extended circle of acquaintance 
and very prominent family- connections, together 
with studious habits and enthusiasm for his pro- 
fession, his future outlook is most promising. His 
friends believe in him and it is safe to predict that 
he will take his place and hold it among the lead- 
ing physicians of the State of Missouri. 



♦^^ ^ l@^@l ^ 1^^^*- 



^ll? UKE I). PRIEST. Love of tlie farm and 
I /©I a consciousness of the independence of 
il_^^v.. that life are marked characteristics of 
our subject, who now resides at Richmond, Mo., 
and though retired from the active duties of 
the agriculturist, is yet proud and fond of the far- 
mer's occupation. lie was born near Mt. Sterling, 
]\Iontgomery County, Ky., May 15, 1819, his fa- 



ther, Elias Priest, being a native of Virginia, who 
removed to Kentucky when but one jear old, with 
Ills father, Cieorge Priest. 

The father of our subject was born in 1790, 
grew up to manhood in Kentucky, and married 
there. Later he came to Ray County, Mo., and 
located on a farm, which he made his home for a 
number of years, tlien removed to the southwest 
corner of Richmond Township, where he died in 
1848. His wife, who survived him and died in 
1852, was a daughter of Samuel Ringo, a native 
of Virginia, wiio settled in Ken tuck}-, but in 1820 
came to Missouri, settling first in Howard and 
then in Ray County. Luke D. Priest, the third 
son of ten ciiildren, passed his youth in his native 
count}', alternating between farm work and school 
duties until he was seventeen, when he accompanied 
his parents to Ra}' County and remained with them 
until he was of age. 

Upon attaining his majority, Mr. Priest began 
life on his own account, farming and raising stock 
of high grade upon his farm of two hundred and 
forty-two acres, located in the soutiiwest part of 
Richmond Township. It is well improved with a 
good dwelling, barns, stables, etc., and for this place 
his attachment is strong, as here was the scene of 
his most protracted labor and his main success. 
His first start was with limited means, and his ac- 
cumulations have come through his own exertions. 
In 1891 he removed to Richmond, and has since 
that time given his attention to looking after his 
general affairs. In the same year he built a sub- 
stantial brick residence, which will compare favor- 
ably with that of any of his neighbors. 

Our subject was married in 1841 to Miss Sarali J., 
a daughter of Noble Goe, an early settler of Ray 
County. She was born in St. Charles County, Mo., 
but was reared for the most part in Ray County, 
where she received her education. She died in 
1883, having been the mother of twelve children, 
six of whom are living, namely: Margaret, wife of 
E. W. Kemper; Sarah, married to II. H. Ilolloway; 
Catlett S.; Luke M.; ^'il■ginia A., wife of Albert 
Quails; and George M. William D. was married, 
but is now deceased; and Charles died after his 
marriage. Mr. Priest again married, his choice 
falling on Mrs. Susanna V, Webb, tlie ceremony tak- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



273 



ing place in December, 1890, but she died ten days 
afterward. Mr. Priest is a Democrat in politics, 
and his fellow-citizens have often called upon him 
to hold oflice. lie has served as .Justice of the 
Peace for ten years, has been a School Director and 
has served as Public Administrator two terms of 
two years each. 



e^+^ 



^ AMES A. DAVIS, the popular and efficient 
C'ashier of the Exchange Bank of Rich- 
mond. Mo., is widely known as a genial, 
' enterprising and upright citizen, and is a 
native of the State. He was born near Richmond, 
November 27, 1837. His father, Dr. Nathaniel 
Davis, a native Tennesseean, was a skillful and 
prosperous physician, and was born July 31, 1807. 
Dr. Davis enjoj'ed the advantages of an extended 
education, and was a cultured and refined gentle- 
man. He came to Richmond in 1835, and died 
here in 1884, at the age of seventy-four years. His 
father was Daniel Davis, who was of Scotch de- 
scent. The mother of our subject was Mariah Al- 
len, a native of Virginia, and a daughter of Sam- 
uel Allen. She came to Ray County in very earl}' 
times and lived many .>ears adjacent to Richmond, 
and passed away in 1883, dying in her seventy- 
liftli year. 

James A. Davis was the eldest child in a family 
of two brothers and two sisters. He attended the 
common schools of his home neighborhood, and 
assisted upon the farm, and at eighteen years of 
age began life for himself, clerking in the dry- 
goods store of M. F. McDonald, of Richmond, and 
remained in this line of employment for two 
years. Our subject next bought an interest in a 
store with (ieorge W. Mason, and successfull}' con- 
ducted the same for four years; then selling out 
the business, he engaged in farming and stock- 
raising, continuing in agricultural duties from 
1869 to 1872. Mr. Davis then became a Deputy 
Collector under Thomas B. Fowler, and also served 
as Deputy under Allen Fowler, remaining with 
the latter in this capacity for four years. In 1879 



he was elected County Collector and bj' re-elec- 
tion filled the oflice eight years, making in all 
about fourteen years in that office, six years as 
Deputy and eight yeais as Collector. Mr. Davis 
retired from the cares of official life to acceiit his 
l)resent position as Cashier in the Exchange Bank, 
where his services are in constant demand and he 
is one of the valued and trusted members of tliis 
banking house. 

In 1861, Mr. Davis was united in marriage with 
Miss Mary Triplett, of Richmond, Va., daughter 
of Pennie Triplett, and a native of the Old Do- 
minion. Mr. Davis and wife had one daughter, 
Carrie, who married J. F. Clark, who is a farmer 
of Ray County. Mrs. Davis died in August, 1862. 
Our subject married his present wife in May, 1865. 
She was Miss AUie M. Hughes, of Howard County, 
Mo. This lady is a niece of Joseph and James 
Hughes, widely known throughout Richmond and 
surrounding country. By this second raarri.ageour 
subject became the father of seven children: Kate 
B., AUic, Lulu, Estelle, Harry, Frank and James. 
Mr. Davis, his wife and three daughters are all 
members of the Presbyterian Church, and are each 
and all active factors in the organization and pro- 
motion of social enterprises and the good work of 
that religious denomination. Politically Mr. 
Davis is a straight Democrat, and although never 
a politician he takes a deep and abiding interest 
in both local and national issues. Born within 
the limits of the county, his interests center here 
where his children and his brothers and sisters 
make their home and are eacii and all in their sev- 
eral localities numbered among the upright, honor- 
able and true American citizens. 



^#Sii-^"i^il^^ 



■^UDGE R. T. CRAVEN, of Ray County, was 
born June 19, 1844, near the place where 
^,^1 , he now lives in section 2, township 52, 
\^fJ range 29. His parents, Andrew J. and 
Huldah (Whitton) Craven, were natives of Ten- 
nessee, born respectively in 1812 and 1818. The 
paternal grandparents, Richard C. and Eliz;ilieth 



274 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



(Rains) Craven, were natives of North Carolina, 
and from there tliey removed to Tennessee at an 
early date, when Indians still inhabited that State. 
There they continued to reside until called away 
from the busy scenes of earth, after iiaving at- 
tained to advanced }ears. 

In the (iistrict schools of Tennessee the father 
of our subject gained a common-school education. 
In 1826 he accompanied his parents to ^lissouri 
and grew to man's estate in Ray County, mean- 
while becoming familiar with agricultural ])ursuits 
on his father's farm. In the fall of 1841 he mar- 
ried Iluldah, daughter of Elijah and Sarah (Ross) 
Whitton, who were probably born in North Caro- 
lina but were pioneers of Tennessee. At the time 
of his father's death, Andrew J. Craven came into 
possession of a portion of the homestead, and with 
that as a foundation he aecumuhited a comfortable 
competency. So successful were his efforts that he 
became the owner of six hundred and forty acres, 
most of which was improved during his lifetime. 
He was still in the prime of life when called from 
earth in 1865; his wife still survives him and 
makes her home in this township on the old home- 
stead. 

The parental family consisted of nine children, 
one of whom died in childhood. The others were: 
R. T., of this sketch; Benjamin F., deceased; 
Henry; Sarah, wife of John Clevenger; Mary F., 
who first married Aden Clevenger and after his 
death became the wife of Zebidee Sailors; James 
B., George and R. Allen. Upon the twenty-first 
anniversary of his birth, our subject was bereaved 
by the death of his father, after which he took 
charge of the homestead and cared for the other 
members of the family. Prior to that and during 
the Civil War he enlisted for the service of the 
Union and served with credit to himself for nine 
months, when he was honorably discharged. In 
1865 he went with a freighting outfit over the 
plains on the Platte River to Cottonwood Springs. 

The marriage of Mr. Craven in November, 
1868, united him with Miss Eliza J., daughter of 
AVilliam and Lucinda (Sollinger) Mclver, and 
unto them have been born five children, namely: 
Andrew, Ada B., Laura and Ellen (twins) and 
Bertha Alice. After his marriage our sul)ject set- 



tled on a portion of the homestead which had 
been bequeathed to him b}- his father, and here he 
still makes his home. Since the jilace earae into 
his possession he has greatly imi)roved it by re- 
modeling the residence, building barns of a sub- 
stantial kind, dividing and subdividing the fields 
bj' a neat system of fencing, and in other wa3'S en- 
hancing the value of the farm. 

While his attention is devoted principally to 
agriculture, Mr. Craven finds time to keep himself 
well informed on all topics of general and local 
interest. His political afliliations have been with 
the Democratic party since boyhood and he is in- 
fluential in its ranks. For ten years he served ef- 
ficiently as Justice of the Peace and has been 
Notary Public for twelve years. In 1888 he was 
chosen Associate Judge of the County Court, and 
was re-elected for a second term m 1890. He filled 
the position with great credit to himself and to 
the satisfaction of his fellow-citizens. He has 
been identified with the Masonic order since 1867 
and is a Master Mason, belonging to Harmony 
Lodge No. 384, A. F. ct A. M., at Yibbard. 



-m- 




AMUEL J. BROOKS, a representative 
farmer, earnest, upright and influential cit- 
izen, and almost a lifetime resident of 
Clay County, Mo., was born April 11, 
1822, in Clark County, Kj'., and for sixty-seven 
years has been intimately associated with the 
growth and progress of this immediate locality. 
The parents of our subject were Abijah and Har- 
riet (Brooks) Brooks, the wife being a cousin of 
her husband. Abijah Brooks was a native of 
Clark Count}', Ky., and was reared in the heavily 
timbered part of the State. His opportunities for 
study were limited, and his father d^'ing when he 
was eighteen years of age, he at once began to 
earn his own living. He traveled around for one 
j^ear, going to New Orleans, to Ohio, and also 
journeying to the farther East. At about twenty- 
one years of age he married and returned to Ken- 
tucky, where lie had inherited one hundred and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



275 



twenty acres from his futlier. His wife was a na- 
tive of Massaoliusetls, and was tliere reared to 
womanhood, afterward accompanying iier parents 
to Oliio. Mr. Brooks continued to cultivate tlie 
one hundred and twenty acres of the homestead 
until he removed to Clay County, in 182(!. 

Tiie journey to Missouri was made in true pio- 
neer style, family and goods being transported 
sIowl3' by teams and covered wagons. Arriving 
safely at their destination, the father bought 
eighty acres of land near Smithville, and at the 
time of Ills death, having entered claims from the 
Government, owned in all about one thousand 
acres. Devoting his time mainly to general farm- 
ing and stock-raising, he has prospered and loaned 
money, and has thus greatly increased his income. 
When he came to Missouri he was in good circum- 
stances for those eaily days, owning excellent 
horses and teams, three negroes, and several hun- 
dred dollars in cash. At the time of his death he 
owned sixteen slaves. Abijah and Harriet Brooks 
were the parents of fourteen children. Samuel J. 
was the eldest of the family. The others in order 
of birth were: Sarah E., Harriet, Van W., Virginia 
and Abijah, deceased; Elizabeth, wife of William 
Onan, died leaving two children; Marv, deceased, 
was the wife of S. G. Greenfield; John ; Benjamin G., 
deceased; Thomas S., who resides in Smitiiville; 
Julia, the wife of Joiin Williams; Martha, de- 
ceased, the wife of John Rogers; and Abbie, de- 
ceased, the wife of Tipson Snail. The father of 
these brothers and sisters was a sincere Christian 
and a member of the Baptist Church. Politically 
he was an old-line Whig. 

The paternal grandparents of our subject were 
Abijah and Nancy (Strode) Brooks, who were na- 
tives of Ireland, and who emigrated from the Old 
Country to Canada, and from there to Kentucky, 
where they founded their brancii of the Brooks 
family in the United States. Samuel J. Brooks, 
our subject, received a primary education in the 
early schools of Claj- Count}-, and at the age of 
twenty-one years ambitious!}' entered land in 
Platte County. After proving it up he came back 
to his parents, and received from his fatlier the gift 
of some wild land and upon the unbroken prairie 
started in life as an agricultuiist. In 1818, our sub- 



ject was united in marriage with Miss Lucmda J. 
Smith, daughter of William and Elizabetli( Walker) 
Smith. Their pleasant home has been blessed 
by tlie birth of eleven children, the sons and 
daughters who once gathered an unbroken band 
being: Mary E., deceased; Martha A., deceased, 
the wife of AVilliam P. Thomason; \'an W.; 
Samuel J.; James A.; Eugene; George, deceased; 
Isabelle, the wife of I). W. Williams; Lydia A., 
wife of George Wilson; Harrison; and Thomas, a 
phvsician of Dearborn, Platte County, Mo., enjoy- 
ing an excellent practice. Mr. Brooks now has fifty- 
two acres of land, but at one time owned nine 
hundred and thirty-five. His first wife died June 
9, 1878, and he afterward married Mrs. Ann 
(Brooks) Wilkerson, daughter of Van and Cla- 
mcnsa (Young) Brooks. This lady was the 
mother of six children born unto her first husband. 
John W. was the eldest; Van is deceased; Ernest 
P.; Jefferson D.; Arthur, deceased; and Benjamin 
E. Mr. AVilkerson, their father, was a native of 
Kentucky and located with iiis parents in Clay 
Count}' in 1826. Mr. Brooks is a valued member 
of the Christian Church, and a great worker in the 
cause of temperance. A thorough Christian citi- 
zen, ever exerting his influence in behalf of the 
betterment of his fellow-men, our subject com- 
mands the esteem and high regard of all wiio know 
him. Politically he is a Prohibitionist and votes 
for conscience' sake. 



^if^s^RES E. HILL, formerly Treasurer of Ray 
I] County, Mo., has held various important 
positions of trust, and, a citizen of unblem- 
ished reputation, possessed of executive tal- 
ent, is well adapted to the faithful handling of 
public interests. Our subject was born in Kay 
County, Mo., near Knoxville, June 22, 1862, and 
has been a resident of Richmond for a number of 
years. His father, Elijah P. Hill, was a native 
Tennesseean, and was the son of Royalty Hill, an 
early settler of Tennessee. The maiden name of 
the mother of our subject was Ellen Kicliards. She 



276 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



was born in Indiana, and was the daughter of 
William Richards, born and reared in Indiana. 
Both parents of Mr. Hill reside in Kay County, on 
a farm near Vibbard. 

Elijah P. Hill came with his parents to Missouri 
when a lad twelve years of age, and assisting upon 
the farm, attended in the winter months the little 
district school of the home neighborhood. Ar- 
rived at man's estate, lie married and became the 
father of ten children, eight sons and two daugh- 
ters, nine of whom are yet living. Our subject 
was the eldest in the large family, and remaining 
through his boyhood upon the old homestead 
early engaged in agricultural duties. When be 
could be spared from the daily round of work he 
attended the district school, and, diligently prepar- 
ing himself to make his own way in life, began 
teaching school at sixteen j-ears of age. He con- 
tinued in the responsible profession of a teacher 
for six 3'ears and was acknowledged to be one of 
the most successful instructors of Ray County, 
teaching mainly in the country schools. In the 
spring of 1884 he began clerking in the store of 
J. T. AVilson & Co., general merchants at Rich- 
mond. 

In 1888 Mr. Hill was elected to the office of 
Treasurer of Ray County., and as an officer gave 
universal satisfaction by the manner and method 
of his transaction of public business and his capa- 
bility as a financier, having been thoroughly tested 
since he became an incumbent of the office. He 
was re-elected Treasurer in 1890, serving two years 
longer. Mr. Hill was married October 6, 1889, to 
Miss Crenevieve Kavanaugh, of Ray Countj^, Mo., 
a most estimable lady, a native of the county, and 
a daughter of Charles B. Kavanaugh, well known 
as a prominent and upright citizen. The pleasant 
home of Mr. and Mrs. Hill has been blessed by 
the birth of one son, a bright little child, Baxter 
P. Our subject is a member of Richmond Lodge 
No. 208, 1. O. O. F. lie takes a very active part 
in political matters, and, a public-spirited citizen, 
is also foremost in worthy benevolent and social 
enterprises, and has ever been an important fac- 
tor in promoting and sustaining the organization 
of business interests tending to the growth and 
progress of his JKime locality and Ray County. 



Intelligent, earnest and upright in character, Mr. 
Hill has passed his life among the citizens of the 
county, and, widely known, commands universal 
regard and confidence. The handsome family resi- 
dence on Main Street is the centre of attraction to 
a host of friends, both our subject and his wife 
being extremely popular among a wide circle of 
acquaintances. He has for years been an influen- 
tial member of the Democratic party. 



^ATHANIEL DAVIS, M. D., was born July 
31, 1807, in Washington County, Tenn. 
When he was about five years old, his pa- 
rents removed with him to Knox C'onntj% Tenn., 
where he spent his youth and passed the threshold 
of manhood. At the age of twenty-two, he was 
entered as a student in the Universit}' of East 
Tennessee, and graduated with honor from that 
institution in 1832, after which he attended the 
famous .lefferson Medical College, of Philadelphia. 
Pa., and in the spring of 1834 received his di- 
ploma of graduation therefrom. He then selected 
Ra}' County, Mo., as the field of his future labors, 
and started for the Far West to carve out his des- 
tiny. He was an eminently successful practitioner, 
because he was skillful, prompt and always relia- 
ble. In 1837 he was thrown from a lior.se, and by 
this accident his ankle was dislocated and broken, 
thereby permanently laming him. Dr. Davis was 
here through the exciting period of the '-INIormon 
War," and was compelled to seek safety by leav- 
ing his home for a time. During the great Civil 
War, however, he remained at home, and was not 
seriously molested. 

In the fall of the year 1837, Dr. Nathaniel 
Davis was united in marriage with Miss Mariah 
Allen, of Ray County. She was, however, a na- 
tive of Virginia. They have had six children, 
two of whom are deceased. The living are as fol- 
lows: James A.; Margaret Ann, wife of Murray F. 
McDonald, a merchant of Richmond; Alice, widow 
of George Mason, deceased, late of Richmond; and 
Samuel B., Deputy County Collector. Mrs. Davis 




m. 




^^/^^ G/^/. 



/^c/ 




y 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



279 



died August 23, 1878. She was a ladj' of cheerful 
disposition, and added to an exemplary Christian 
character gentle manners and the grace of woman- 
hood. 



'•■■ f S^ 



E^^* 



ylLLIAM PRICE HUBBELL, for many years 
one of the most prominent and successful 
^J^^ merchants of Ray County, and widely 
known as a prosperous general agriculturist and 
stock-raiser, now resides in Uiehmond and is en- 
gaged in managing his coal interests, which are 
among the best in the Stale. lie is also a dealer 
in the product of his mines, and an energetic busi- 
ness man, commanding the respect of all with whom 
he comes in contact. 

Our subject was born in Franklin County, Ky., 
]\Iarch 13, 1828, and is the son of Capt. William 
I). Hubbell, who was born in Bridgeport, Conn., in 
1797, and died in 1882. The Hubbells have a re- 
liable record of the date of birth and the descend- 
ants of Richard Hubbell, who was born in Great 
Britain in 1627, and in 1650 married Miss Eliza 
Meigs, of Dorchester, England, from whose children 
sprang the line to which belonged the father of 
our subject. Ezra Hubbell, a sea captain by call- 
ing, w.as the son of Hezekiah, who was born in 
Connecticut. 

Capt. "William Hubbell, the great-uncle of our 
subject, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, 
and emigrating to Kentuckj' in 1791, settled near 
Cleorgetown. William D. Hubbell, the father of 
our subject, was a clerk on tlie first steamboat that 
passed up the Missouri River, in the spring of 1819. 
He came to Missouri in 1840, and .settled in How- 
ard County, afterward in Clay County, and thence 
removed to Ray County, and from there to Boone 
County, where he died. He married Elizabeth E. 
Price, a native Kentuckian, and a daughter of John 
Price, who resided near Frankfort, Ky. The mother 
of our subject was born in 1808 and died in 1874, 
at Columbia, Mo. William Price Hubbell, our sub- 
ject, remained upon the homestead during his boy- 
hood, and attended the little school of tlie neigh- 



borhood. When he was twelve j'ears old bis father 
removed to Howard County, Mo., and after a two- 
years residence there, journeyed to Clay County, 
where he made his home for a time. 

In the year 1850 our subject went to California, 
crossing the plains with a train of ox-wagons. On 
the way toward tlie P.acific, Mr. Hubbell and his 
associates enterprisingly established a ferr^^ across 
the Green River, and after six weeks sold out their 
venture at a clear profit of $5,000. In 1851 our 
subject returned to his home and engaged in mer- 
chandising, first at Liberty, Clay Count)-, and af- 
terward at what is now known as Missouri City. 
Here he continued prosperously for eleven years, 
and then in 1864 removed to CarroUton, 111., where 
he remained in the mercantile business until the 
fall of 1865. At that time he came to Richmond. 
Mo., and immediately entered into merchandising, 
and also profitably managed an extensive and val- 
uable farm, where he now resides, and .as the place 
adjoins the city limits it is constanth' increasing 
in value. 

For a time Mr. Hubbell took a great interest in 
growing small fruits of various kinds, and also had 
a fine orchard of apples, peaches, pears and cherries 
of the choicest varieties. He was a member of the 
firm of Shotwell & Co., who were engaged in coal- 
mining, and had a shaft near Richmond. He is 
now associated with C. C. Hyatt, of St. .Toseph, 
Mo., and .John W. Hubbell, and is operating three 
coal banks near the railroad track. He is also a 
member of two other firms engaged in coal-mining. 
The name under which the second bank is operated 
is the Hubbell ]\Iining Company. The coal here 
mined is of a superior quality, and meets with a 
ready sale. 

Our subject has been twice married. His first 
wife was Miss Mary C. Quail, to whom he was mar- 
ried August 25, 1859, the ceremony occurring at 
Washington, Pa., the birthplace of the bride. This 
lady w.as the daughter of Robert .and Sarah (iuail, 
and was born .lanuary 1, 1837. She was a cul- 
tured woman, and a graduate of W.ashington Fe 
male Seminary. Mrs. Hubbell survived her mar- 
riage almost a quarter of a century, passing awa}- 
in October, 1883. The children who had blessed 
tlie home were: John W., who is in tlie coal busi- 



280 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ness with his father; Man' AV., who married D. E. 
Martin, of Kansas City; AVilliara M.; Clarence II. 
and Charles G. Mr. Ilufibell married his second 
wife, Mrs. Susan E. Minor, in 1884. This lady is 
the daughter of Clayton Jacobs, a prominent citi- 
zen of Ray County. In the class of 185(5 she was 
o-raduated from the Camden Point School, which 
was afterward changed to an orphans' school under 
charge of the Christian Church. Our subject and 
his wife are members of the Christian Church, be- 
ing numbered among the prominent supporters of 
that religious organization, and are held in high 
esteem by all. Mr. Ilubbell is a strong Democrat, 
and is widely known as a liberal and public-spirited 
citizen, ever aiding in matters pertaining to the 
public welfare, and deeplj' interested in local prog- 
ress and improvement. 



^^>HRISTIAN BARGER. Prominent among 
(|(^^ the successful residents of Ray County may 
^^^ be mentioned the name of Mr. Barger, who 
occupies a finely improved farm on township 52, 
range 29. Upon locating here on New Year's Day 
of 1879, he purchased ninety acres, to which he 
lias added as opportunity afforded, until he is now 
the owner of a splendid place comprising two hun- 
dred and ninety acres. In addition to his agricul- 
tural duties, he has been engaged in the mercantile 
business since 1882, when he opened a store at 
Crab Orchard, and has since carried on a lucratire 
trade, his stock being valued at ^2,500. 

Born in Westmoreland County, Pa., March 10, 
1826, our subject belongs to a family which had 
been long and prominently identified with the in- 
terests of the Keystone State. His grandfather, 
the Rev. Christian Barger, was a native of that 
Slate, and was one of the founders of the United 
Brethren Church at Baltimore, of which he was 
the pastor. He died in Canton, Ohio. The father 
of our subject, John Barger, was born in Union 
County, Pa., in 1796, and in his youth served an 
apprenticeship to learn the shoemaker's trade. 
Earl}' in life lie became self-supporting, and when 



ready to establish a home of his own, married Miss 
Mary Swartz, who was born in AVestinoreland 
County, Pa., in 1800. 

After their marriage, which took place about 
1817, the parents of our subject settled on a farm 
near Mt. Pleasant, Pa.; the father, however, did 
not follow agriculture as his occupation, but was 
successivel}' engaged in business as general mer- 
chant, butcher and shoe dealer. He was a man of 
sagacity, prudence and the utmost integrity, car- 
rying his principles of honor and his religion into 
his daily life. His connections from youth were 
with the United Brethren Church, of wliich he was 
a prominent member. Politically, he was a Demo- 
crat, and that party had no adherent more devoted 
or enthusiastic than he. 

As he was one of ten children whose parents 
were in limited circumstances, it may be supposed 
that our subject had few educational advantages, 
but such as were possible he availed himself of, 
and is now a man of broad information on all the 
subjects of the day. At the time of his father's 
death, in 1843, he commenced in business as a 
shoemaker, which occupation he followed in con- 
nection with conducting a meat market until 
1854. In that year he removed to Illinois and 
settled in Adams County, where he was a tiller of 
the soil for twent3--two years. During this long 
period he became well known throughout that sec- 
tion of the State, and was universally esteemed as 
a man of high principles and honorable life. 

From Illinois Mr. Barger removed to Virginia, 
whence after a residence of four years he came to 
Ray County, Mo., as above stated, on New Year's 
Day, 1879. While residing in Adams County, in 
1862, he enlisted for service in the Union army as 
a member of Company K, Sevent^'-eighth Illinois 
Infantry, under Gens. Granger, Rosecrans and 
Sherman. He participated in the battles of Chicka- 
mauga. Mission Ridge, Lookout Mountain, Kene- 
saw Mountain, and in other engagements of im- 
portance, but although in the thickest of the fight 
he was fortunately never wounded or impiisoned. 
At the close of the war he was mustered out of the 
service at Washington, after which he returned 
home. 

Tlie Iruh' who on August >S, 1850, became the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



281 



wife of Ml'. Barger, and who since then has been 
his devoted helpmate, bore the maiden name of 
Catherine Ilanna and is a daughter of Daniel and 
Susan Hanna. They have been the parents often 
children, nine living, named as follows: Robert O., 
Johnson B., Cyrus, Charles, William, Frank, Emma, 
Lucy and Hebecca. Lewis is deceased. The daugh- 
ters are all married, Emma being the wife of R. G. 
Steve, Lucy the wife of T. Madden, and Rebecca 
the wife of Samuel Swain. Mr. Barger was one of 
the charter members of Moss Rose Lodge No. 350, 
I. 0. O. F., at Mt. Pleasant, but since coming West 
has not identified himself with the order. Politi- 
cally, he is a Democrat, and served as Postmaster 
of Crab Orchard, as well as in other local offices of 
honor. 



AMUEL L. BAY. A student of measure- 
ments and greatly interested in mathemat- 
ics as a youth, it was only- natural that 
our subject should have drifted into sur- 
veying, and that the people of his county should 
have recognized his ability by electing him Sur- 
veyor. Mr. Bay was born Ma}' 10, 1851, near 
Panora, in Guthrie County, Iowa, the eldest son 
of the first marriage of David S. Bay, a native of 
Illinois. The mother of our subject was Delilah 
(Anderson) Bay, who was born in Ohio. Both 
she and her husband were among the earliest set- 
tlers of Guthrie County, Iowa. Our subject's 
father died in Texas, and his mother in California. 
Samuel L. Bay spent five years in Texas, then 
returned to Iowa. In the fall of 1868, being in 
his seventeenth year, and while a resident of Iowa, 
he entered the Wesleyan University at Mt. Pleas- 
ant, Iowa, and pursued his studies in the latter 
place for eighteen months. He then followed the 
profession of teaching for two years in Iowa, then 
in Missouri until 1884, when he took charge of 
the County Surveyor's otflce. During his service 
as a teacher in Missouri, all of the time except 
four years was spent in Ray County. 

His noiiiiiiation as County Surveyor was made 



by the Democratic party in 1884, and after his 
election he assumed the duties, January 1, 1885, 
and continued in office throughout the four years' 
term; was renominated and elected in 1888, and 
again in 1892. He was married September 28, 
1875, to Miss Jennie Wilder, of Vibbard, Mo., a 
daughter of Samuel Wilder, and she has borne him 
six children. Mr. and Mrs. Bay have a very com- 
fortable and attractive home on East Main Street, 
in Richmond, where the}' live happily together. 
Mr. Bay is a member of Bee Hive Lodge No. 393, 
A. F. & A. M., at Lawson. 

Nothing is permitted by Mr. Bay to interfere 
with the discharge of his official duties, to which 
he devotes his entire time. Herein he sets an ex- 
ample worthy of emulation by all. A skilled Sur- 
veyor, he is also a conscientious one, not only per- 
forming his work thoroughly but also with des- 
patch. The estimation in which he is held by his 
fellow-citizens is attested b}' the long time he has 
been in office. Apart from appreciation of his 
ability, there is a strong liking for the man him- 
self, whose many sterling qualities cause him to be 
very popular. It would be quite difficult to name 
a man who would be vain enough to think he 
could defeat Mr. Bay for Surve^'or. 



-^ 



"\lj OHN T. HUDSON, a prominent citizen, en- 
I terprising business man and leading hard- 
^ ware merchant of Smithville, Cla}^ County, 
^^f/ Mo., is a native of this State, and was born 
upon a farm in the western part of the same county 
where he now resides. He was a sou of Simon 
and Celia (Massie) Hudson, both of his parents 
being natives of Kentucky, and born in Madison 
County, the father in 1812, and the mother in 1819. 
The great-grandfather of our subject came from 
England to this country at an early day in the 
history of our nation, and settled in A'irginia. 
Of his children, but one lived to adult age, Simon 
Hudson, who was born and reared in the Old Do- 
minion and there married a fair young bride, and 
with his wife PoUie emigrated to Kentucky, where 



282 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



he made a home for the family who later clus- 
tered about the cheerv hearth. Simon Hudson 
afterward removed to Clay County, Mo., but it was 
in the Kentucky home that the father of John T. 
w.as born. 

The birth of Simon Hudson occurred in tlie 
tragic year when in the War of 1812 so many of 
the best citizens of Kentucky were massacred in 
one of the most horrible and barbarous scenes in 
the history of the United Stales. After the treaty 
of 1815, Kentucky was undisturbed by any stirring 
events of public importance, but danger lurked for 
a long time within her frontier settlements. Amid 
the privations of pioneer life the father of our sub- 
ject passed his boyhood. His advantages for an 
education were necessarily limited, but he received 
the book knowledge obtainable in the little sub- 
scription schools, and dutifully remained with his 
father until he reached his majority, aiding with 
cheerful energy in the maintenance of the home 
which had been desolated by the death of the lov- 
ing wife and mother, who in early womanhood 
passed awa}-. 

Simon Hudson and liis son came to Missouri in 
182.5, and located a large bod^' of Government land 
in Clay County. The elder Mr. Hudson was now a 
man past middle life but full of hope, courage and 
ambition. Before his death in 1853, he had pros- 
perously accumulated fifteen hundred acres of 
valu.able land, .-md was numbered among the sub- 
stantial and most highly respected citizens of the 
county. He lived to be eighty-one years of age, 
and although his wife, who passed away in 1813, 
died when he w.as comparatively a young man, 
he never married again. Our subject received 
his education in the common schools of Clay 
County, and remained upon the farm with his 
parents until twenty-two years of age. When about 
twenty-six years old, Mr. Hudson was united in mar- 
ri.age with Miss Nannie D. Faubion, daughter of 
J. W. and Elizabeth (Broadhurst) Faubion. Mrs. 
Hudson w.as born in Clay Connty, where her par- 
ents, who were native Tennesseeans, were also 
reared. Mr. and Mrs. Hudson have been blessed 
by the birth of two children, Maud and Roy H. 

After tlie marriage of our subject, he made his 
home upon his father's farm until 1871, when he 



went to Excelsior Springs, and clerked in a hard- 
ware store for three years. At the expiration of 
this length of time, Mr. Hudson came to Smithville 
j and engaged in his present b\isiness, which w.as 
from the first an established success, and is now 
the leading hardware house in this part of the 
county. Mr. Hudson carries a complete stock of 
goods in his line of business, and is located in a 
pleasant store, thirty-two by eighty feet, and 
would inventory about $3,500 worth of goods. 
Politically our subject is a strong Democrat and 
an earnest adherent of the party. Interested in 
all matters pertaining to public welfare, an effi- 
cient promoter of worthy enterprise, and an advo- 
cate of the cause of educational advancement, he 
enjoys the esteem and confidence of the general 
public, who thoroughly appreciate his sterling in- 
tegrity of ch.aracter. 



^'AMESF. BATES. Fate has dealt kindly 
with the subject of this sketch, for it has 
cast his lines in pleasant places and given 
him the power to command most things to 
his liking. He has the acquisitive faculty in an 
unusual degree and has been successful in all his 
financial ventures. His attention lias been given 
largely to the breeding of Shorthorn cattle until 
a comparatively recent date. A native of this 
county, his growth to manhood and maturity has 
been synonymous with the development of the 
country. 

James F. Bates was born in R.ay County, March 
12, 1851. He is a son of Thomas J. Bates, whose 
birth occurred July 19, 1810. The family is of 
English origin. Grandfather James Bates, who 
was born April 27, 1777, was probably a native of 
Virginia and at an earl}- day emigrated to Ken- 
tucky, where he engaged in farming. He died 
October 3, 1831. He was the father of eight chil- 
dren, six daughters and two sons, all of whom are 
now deceased. Thomas Bates was reared on his 
father's farm in Kentucky, and after finishing his 
studies in the country scIkkiI became a farmer. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD. 



283 



He removed to Ray County, Mo., in 1829, having 
visiteil tlie county some three 3-ears previously, 
coming hither on horseback. Upon locating in 
this count}-, he purchased land in Crooked River 
Township, where he was one of the earliest pio- 
neers. Although there were no stores and the 
nearest market place was at a long distance, the 
larder was never without meat, for the woods 
abounded with game and Mr. Bates was fond of 
liunting. He lived in a log cabin and bent his 
energies to improve the land. After a long and 
useful life, he died September 12, 1872. 

At tlie time of his death, our subject's father 
owned a farm comprising five hundred acres. He 
was a good manager and a successful business man 
and all his investments proved to be well placed. 
His wife, whom he married in Kentucky, was Miss 
Kmil}- R. Duval, wlio was born in Culpeper Count}', 
Va., in 1809, and died June 16, 1884. In cliurch 
relations, she was a believer in the articles of faith 
held by the Baptists. Of her two children, James 
F. is the elder. The other, Mary V., is now the wife 
of Dr. J. W. .Smith, of Richmond. The maternal 
grandfather of our subject, Daniel Duval, was born 
in Culpeper County, Va., in the 3'ear 1767, and 
died there in 1817. His marriage occurred in that 
county in 1798, and united him with Mary Her- 
ring, who died in Ray County in 1849. 

As a lad, our subject attended the country' 
schools and later entered the Springfield Academy. 
He spent one winter in a commercial college and 
thus equipped for business life, he occupied himself 
as a farmer. After his father's death, in 1872, he 
took charge of the family estate, residing on tlie 
old homestead.- He has farmed here for twenty 
years and knows the country perfectly. His fine 
farm comprises four hundred and forty acres, which 
are located on section 8, and he has four hundred 
acres more on two other sections. The place was 
improved by his father, who settled upon it in 
1855, but he has greatly added to its value and has 
made of it a model farm. 

Mr. Bates was married November 23, 1876, his 
bride being Miss Ella Morrison, who was born in 
Estherville, Va. She is a daughter of William H. 
and llettie (Zimmerman) Morrison, natives of Vir- 
ginia, who removed to St. Louis, this State, in 1858 



m> 



and came to Ray County slioitly after. Mr. and 
Mrs. Hates are the parents of five children, whose 
names are Taylor E., Emily V., Fannie D., Floy 
F. and Ula J. In political preference, Mr. Bates 
is a Democrat. He is a Mason and belongs to the 
Cyprus Chapter of Hardin Lodge and Richmond 
Comnianderv. 



S^'^iMjil 



'^IJOHN N. HINES. Apart from the worry 
and bustle of the city, peacefully pursuing 
the interesting work of an agriculturist, our 
subject, like all of his class who are free from 
the harassments of monetary' obligations, occupies 
a most enviable position. He resides on a well- 
improved farm in township 50, range 27, Ray 
Count}-, surrounded by everything calculated to 
make comfortable and enjoyable the days as they 
pass. Mr. Hines was born in Moniteau County, 
iVIo., in 1845, the son of William and Ruth E. 
(Reavis) Hines. The father was a native of Knox 
County. Tenn., born December 11, 1818, and the 
mother was born in Bedford Count}', March 14, 
1821. 

The father of our subject was reared on a farm 
in his native county by his elder sister, his parents 
having died when he was quite young. For this 
reason he started out in life for himself at the age 
of eighteen, and was married in 1843 in Moniteau 
County, Mo., whither he had previously gone. Af- 
ter taking this step he rented land and continued 
a farmer throughout his life. He and his wife 
reared a family of eight children, namely: rernecia 
J., Mary E., Naney L., Laura F., and James B., all 
deceased; John M., our subject; Pernecia and Will- 
iam S. 

In the year 1848, William Hines came to Ray 
County, Mo., where he bought Government land, 
and later deeded land and accumulated seventy 
acres. In politics he was a Democrat before the 
war, but after that time afliliatcd with the Repub- 
lican party, uniformly supporting its candidates. 
His religious convictions were strong, and he ear- 
nestly supported the Missionar\ Baptist Church, in 



284 



PORTEAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD. 



which he held a meiubeiship. He passed peacefully 
away after a life spent honestly and industriously, 
in August, 1891, his wife following him in March, 
1892. This worthy man was tlie son of AVilliam 
and Mary (Null) Ilines, natives respective!}- of 
Scotland and Pennsylvania. 

Our subject remained with his parents until 
twenty-five years of .ige, but worked for himself 
previous to that time. At that age he married 
Mary S., daughter of Charles W. and Rebecca 
(Warrenstaff) Dasher, all natives of Virginia. The 
newly married couple began life on a rented farm, 
but after ten years piu-chased seventy-three acres 
where they now live, most of it improved. Our 
subject and his wife hold their membership with 
the Baptist Church of the neighborhood. He en- 
tered the Union army in 1864, enlisting in Com- 
pany C, Fourth Regiment, Missouii State Militia. 
His service was confined to the boundaries of tlie 
State, and he remained in the army until the close 
of the war. The political convictions of our sub- 
ject are positive, and he is a devoted member of 
the Kepublican party, its traditions and history 
and platform of principles being very dear to him. 
He is Postmaster at Sunshine, Ray County, having 
served as such ever since the postoffice was estab- 
lished at that place. 



rLWOOD M. JACKSON. The heritage of a 
good name is better than riches, while re- 
'1* — ^ spect for one's parents is not only an in- 
junction of the Divine law, but also a proof of 
true manhood. The subject of this sketch is de- 
scended from a sturdy stock of which he may well 
be proud. A prominent business man of Rich- 
mond, he is a dealer in lumber, sash, doors, blinds, 
cement, and builder's hardware in that citj'. He 
was born in Richmond, .Tanuary .31, 1868, and is 
the only living son of William Rice .lackson, also 
a native of Ray County, Mo. 

The mother of our subject, Lucy G. (Holman) 
Jackson, was Ixnii in Kentucky, the daughter of 
AVilliam U. lInliMan, and is .-till living in llic line 



old home residence on Thornton Avenue. She is 
the mother of two children, namely: our subject 
and Ella S., both at home. William Rice Jackson, 
the father of our subject, was born December 28, 
1831, and was killed by the falling of a wall left 
standing after the interior and roof had been 
burned, his death being instaneous. 

The Richmond Conservator, of February 13, 
1890, speaks as follows concerning the tragedy: 
" M. F. McDonald, Sr.. and William R. Jackson, 
two of Richmond's oldest and most successful busi- 
ness men, were buried beneath the ruins and killed 
without a moment's notice. At twelve o'clock the 
mill whistle sounded the alarm of fire and the peo- 
ple of Richmond were summoned to battle .against 
the fiery element once more. It was discovered 
that the two-slory brick building on the north side 
of the public square, owned by Benjamin F. Keel 
and occupied by Frank L. Ellege as a family 
grocery store, was on fire. The fire spread through 
the building so rapidly that only a portion of the 
goods could be reached, the principal part of the 
stock being left to be burned with the building. 
After an hour and a-half of hard fighting the file 
was brought under sul\]ection, and confined to the 
one building. 

" Many persons had gathered about the building 
congratulating one another upon the fact that one 
of the finest business blocks had been saved, when 
suddenly, and without a moment's warning, the 
west wall of the burned building toppled and 
fell with a deafening crash which shook the very 
earth, striking the west wall of the building on the 
east, owned by W. R. Jackson and occupied by M. 
F. McDonald & Son, dealers in dry goods, com- 
pletely demolishing the building and burying those 
within under a mass of crumbling walls and shat- 
tered timbers. A deathlike silence followed for a 
moment, and when the dust and smoke had cleared 
away the people began to realize the awful situa- 
tion. Knowing that many persons were in the 
building when it collapsed and fell, a search was 
soon made and the lifeless bodies of William R. 
Jackson and M. F. McDonald, Sr., were dug out 
beneath the pile of bricks and timber that had fallen 
upon them. Mrs. J.nckson and her son Elwood and 
others were in the luiililjng. but escaped without 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



285 



any serious hurt. Tlie bodies of Messrs. Jackson 
anil McDonald were terribly crusiied and mangled, 
giving evidence that each met his death suddenly." 
Klwood M. Jackson, the subject of tliis sketch, 
was reared and educated in his native city, his 
training in the public schools being followed by 
an extended course in the old Richmond College. 
After this he went to St. Louis, !Mo., and entered 
the Hryant and Stratton Commercial College, from 
which he wa.^ graduated in 1887. Then returning 
to Richmond, he assisted his father at the place of 
business known as the Jackson Lumber Yard, and 
succeeded to the management upon the death of 
his father. He was married June 3, 1891, to Miss 
Allie Jacobs, daughter of Dr. H. P. Jacobs, of Rich- 
mond, Mo., and they have one son, William R. 
I'oliticallv. Mr. .lackson is a Democrat. 



^^^ twenty-five years Mr. Hardwicke has been 
\/L^ engaged in active practice of the legal 
profession at Liberty, and in the courts of 
Missouri. A man of thorough education, and for 
a time a teacher of the classics, he subsequently 
qualified for the Bar by a regular and exhaustive 
course of study under Judge Norton (then one of 
tiic leading practicing lawyers of West Missouri, 
and since 1876 a distinguished member of the Su- 
preme Court). He entered upon his career as an 
attorney at Lil)erty iuimediately following his ad- 
mission in 1857, with every prospect of a success- 
ful and honorable future. Nor has his record in 
the practice disappointed the just expectations 
that were formed of him in the beginning. For 
years he has held a prominent position among the 
leading attorneys of his judicial circuit, and he 
has long been recognized as one of the first law- 
yers in point of ability and success at the Liberty 
Bar. 

Close habits of studiousness have always been 
one of the most prominent characteristics of Mr. 
Hardwicke, and while he is thoroughly wedded to 
his profession, and :i constant student of the science 



of law, by which he has become one of the best-read 
lawyers in this part of the State, he has at the same 
time found leisure to gratify his taste for general 
literature and the classics. His knowledge of the 
law and his judgment upon legal questions com- 
mand respectful consideration from the Court and 
Bar wherever his duties call him, while his culture, 
elocjuence and ability as an advocate, and his in- 
tegrity, professionally and in private life, are 
recognized b^- all. Though an active, successful 
attorney, he is a man of unusualh' quiet manners, 
and of a retiring disposition, more given to the 
study of his books and to reflection than to the en- 
jo\'ment of society or the pleasure of conversa- 
tion. He has a fine law library, where his time is 
usually' spent when not in the court-room or at 
home with his family. His library is b}' far the 
best in the county, and one of the best in the cir- 
cuit. 

Samuel Hardwicke was born in Clay County, 
Mo., September .3, 1833. His father was Capt. 
Philip Allen Hardwicke, from Brooks County, Va., 
and his mother, Miss Margaret (usuallj* called 
Peggy) Gregg, was born in Tennessee, but was 
reared in Howard Countj', Mo. vShe was the 
daughter of Harmon Gregg, whom Gen. A. W. 
Doniphan pronounced one of the strongest men in 
native intellect he ever met. Her brother, Josiah 
Gregg, was distinguished in science and as an 
author. Mrs. Hardwicke accompanied her parents 
to this State in childhood, and for a time they 
lived in Cooper's Fort for protection against the 
Indians. She witnessed the death of Capt. Cooper, 
who was shot by the Indians in the fort. 

The paternal grandfather of our subject was a 
gallant Revolutionary soldier from A'irginia, and 
received a grant of land from the State for his 
services in the struggle for independence. An in- 
cident in this connection is worth mentioning, as 
it gave rise to the two ways of spelling the family 
name. In the instrument of grant, or patent, the 
name was spelled "Hardwick," instead of "Hard- 
wicke," the jiroper orthography. Since then some 
of the descendants have continued the former way 
of spelling the name. In a very early day Crand- 
fjither Hardwicke died in A'irginia. His son Philip, 
who was then quite young, was bound out to learn 



286 



PGxtTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tlie trade of a cabinet-maker. However, before be 
attained to man hood, lie went to Logan County, 
Ky., where he lieiped to liuild the first house in 
Lebanon. 

About tlie time of attaining his majority, Philip 
Hardwiclve came to Missouri and located in How- 
ard County, where he met and married Miss Mar- 
garet Gregg. In the earl^^ Indian Wars, Capt. 
Hardwicke took a prominent part and commanded 
a company of volunteers through several cam- 
paigns. In 1824, he removed to Clay County, and 
improved a large and valuable farm five miles 
north of Kansas City, where he remained until 
shortly before his death. He was a very success- 
ful farmer and a man of great influence in his 
county. Though often urged to accept nomina- 
tion for ofiicial position, he uniformly refused, be- 
ing thoroughly averse to the life of a politician. 
He had no taste for the turmoil, confus-iou, slander, 
insincerity and double-dealing incident to politics, 
and scrupulously avoided everything of the kind, 
though he believed earnestly in the principles of 
the old Whig party, and never failed to vote his 
honest convictions. In 1849, he joined the gen- 
eral movement of Argonauts to the Pacific Coast, 
and on the return trip the following year, died on 
the ocean and was buried at Acapulco. The 
mother of our subject died November 29, 1892. 
Samuel Hardwicke was reared on his father's farm 
in Clay County, and received a classical education 
at the Sugartree Grove Academy, then an institu- 
tion of more than local repute, which he attended 
for a period of three years. Afterward he was 
Professor of Greek and Latin in that institution 
for a year, at the close of which he resigned his 
professorship to engage in the study of law. As 
above stated, he read law under Judge Norton at 
Platte City, and was admitted to the Bar in the 
spring of 1857. He at once opened an oltice in 
Liberty, and has been in this city continuously 
since, except eighteen months spent at St. Paul, 
Minn. 

The professional career of Mr. Hardwicke has al- 
ready been spoken of. It is only necessary to add 
here that there has scarcely been a case of an}- im- 
portance in the county for years past with which he 
has not been identilied as one of the cnunsei. Ho 



has given little attention to politics, except to vote 
his honest convictions, or at times to help his 
friends. He has therefore neither held nor de- 
sired any strictly political position. When a 
young man he was City Attorney at Liberty for a 
time, and in 1874 his name was canvassed by his 
friends for the Democratic nomination for Circuit 
Judge. His candidacy was very favorably re- 
ceived, and but for political trickery he would 
have been declared the regular nominee, for he 
fairly and honorably won the nomination. 

On the 27th of December, I860, Mr. Hardwicke 
was united in marriage with Miss Ada Hall, the 
refined and accomplished daughter of the late 
John D. Hall, formerly a leading and wealthy citi- 
zen of Clay Count3'. Mrs. Hardwicke was edu- 
cated at Clay Seminary, from which she was grad- 
uated in 1859. Mr. and Mrs. Hardwicke have four 
children: Maude, now the wife of Dr. John H. 
Rothwell, is a graduate of the Baptist Female Col- 
lege at Lexington, where she won six medals for 
superiority in various departments, and afterward 
taught music in that institution; Claude, who at- 
tended William Jewell College for six years, is 
now the law partner of his father under the firm 
name of Hardwicke & Hardwicke; Philip and 
Norton are at home, and still attend school. In 
their religious connections, Mr. and Mrs. Hard- 
wicke are members respectively of the Cumberland 
Presbyterian and Christian Churches. Mr. Hard- 
wicke is a prominent member of the Masonic order, 
and founded the Commandery at this place. 



J'AMKS F. ADAMS, a leading and highly 
respected citizen of Smithville, Clay Countj', 
Mo., has now retired from active business 
duties, but for twelve years successfully 
conducted a hai-ness and saddler}' shop, and was 
ranked among the prominent merchants of the 
county. Mr. Adams was born in 1819, in Wilson 
County, Tcnii.. and was the son of James and 
Sallie ( Heriiard) Adams, '|"he father and mother 




if^^. ^^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



289 



were natives of A'irginia, and were there educated 
and inarrietT, and soon after emigrated to Ken- 
tucky, thence removing a few years later to Tenn- 
essee, wliere they purchased land at AVilson's 
Creek, and remained until 1842. About this lat- 
ter date the family came to Platte County, Mo., 
where the parents resided upon a farm until the 
death of the wife, in 18.'J2, after which bereave- 
ment the lonely father spent the remainder of his 
days with his children, dying in 1868. Politically, 
lie was connected with the old Whig party. 

The brothers and sisters who gathered in the 
home of the Tennessee pioneers were: Lucinda, 
who became the wife of Dr. C. W. Sayle; Mary, 
now deceased, was the wife of J. L. DeBerry; 
Araminta is Mrs. G. C. Clardy; James F. is our 
subject; Martha E., deceased, was Mrs. Smith 
Adams; Sarah A., also deceased, was married to 
Preston Aker. At eighteen years of age, our sub- 
ject served a short apprenticeship at his future oc- 
cupation as a maker of harness and saddles. In 
1841, he came with hit; father to Missouri and set- 
tled upon a farm, and in 1843 married Miss Mary 
Owens, daughter of Mcholas and Mary (Myers) 
Owens. For one year succeeding his marriage Mr. 
Adams farmed rented ground, and at the expira- 
tion of the twelve months went to Ridgelej', Platte 
County, and for about fourteen years engaged ac- 
tively in the duties of his trade. He then invested 
in a farm in Platte County, and for a score of 
years labored in agricultural pursuits, and finally, 
disposing of his property, came to Smithville, and 
profitably entered into business, until his retire- 
ment from the active work of life. 

Mr. and Mrs. Adams liave been blessed by the 
birth of eight children, and those who survive are 
among the most highly respected residents of their 
various localities. Elizabeth is the eldest-liorn, and 
is the wife of Robert Reed, of St. Joseph; Sarah A. 
was the second daughter; Lou married W. L. De 
Herry; Maggie is the wife of Dr. J. L. Misener; 
James A., the father's namesake; Julia May, the 
wife of E. P. Wilkerson; and two died in infancy. 
In early life, our subject w.as a Whig, but is now 
a strong Democrat. Hemembcring his sciiool days, 
which were spent in .-i little log schoolhouse in 
Tennessee, Mr. Adams rejoices in the increased 

14 



educational facilities which his bright and intelli- 
gent grandchildren and his descendants may liber- 
ally enjo}-, and is ever ready to .aid in the ad- 
vancement of all enterprises tending to local prog- 
ress and improvement. Passing his life among 
pioneer scenes, he has been an eye-witness of the 
growth and increased prosperity which have been 
the portion of Missouri, and has himself materially 
assisted in tlie promotion and organization of 
prominent interests of his home neighborhood and 
vicinity, and, an upright and honored citizen, has 
a host of true friends, the acquaintances of a life- 
time. Mr. Adams was the first Postnjaster at 
Ridgeley, having received the appointment from 
President Polk, and he also served six months un- 
der President Cleveland at Smithville, Mo. 



^^APT. WILLIAM H. PENCE, one of the 
(|(^_. most prominent of the old settlers of Clay 
^^^' County, and a wealthy and inHucntial 
farmer residing on section 16, Kearney Township, 
was born in Scott County, Ky., March 20, 1825. 
The grandfather of our subject, Adam, was born 
in Virginia, whither his father had emigrated from 
Germany in Colonial times, and there married a 
young woman from his native country, after which 
they removed to Kentuck3' to find their fortune. 
About that time the great Daniel Boone, dear to 
all Kentuckiaus, was i)laying destruction among 
the savages and wild animals of the Blue Grass 
State, and in Scott County the famous pioneer 
and the great-grand father of our subject became 
well acquainted. The latter died in Scott County 
at an advanced age. 

In tiie industrious pursuit of his calling of a 
farmer, Adam Pence was quite successful, and be- 
came the owner of a large tract of land. In 182;'), 
lie came to Clay County, Mo., where he entered 
from the Government nearly one thousand acres, 
and settled four miles west of Liberty. There he 
died at the age of seventy-nine years. The father 
of our subject married in Scott County, Ky., and 
came to Clay County when Williain was a babe of 
six months. The journey was niade willi a wanon 



290 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRArHICAL RECORD. 



and five horses, and had its pleasures and hard- 
ships. Campinof out at night, foi'ding streams, 
breaking through forests where no roads had been 
cut, and avoiding tlie Indians, were some of tlie 
experiences which our pioneer ancestors went 
througli with in order to leave to the present gen- 
eration the comforts which now surround us. 

Mr. Pence settled four miles west of Liberty, 
and in his new home was often visited by the In- 
dians, with whom he became well acquainted. His 
first work was the building of a log cabin, which, 
although iirimitive in construction, served as a 
siielter for the family. That was the day of in- 
dividual and isolated effort, and there were no la- 
bor-saving processes or appliances. Milling had 
to be done with horse-mills, there were no markets 
near, and no roads through the wilderness except 
the Indian trails. Deer and wolves were numer- 
ous, and black bear meat .sometimes hung in the 
larder, but for a long time there was great scarcity 
of the luxuries, so called then, but which we now 
name as necessities of civilized life. 

About 1835, Mr. Pence removed to Kearney 
Township, and there bouglit and entered four 
hundred acres of land, which he partially im- 
proved. He died when he had reached theeightv- 
sixth anniversar}' of his birth, lacking one day. 
An intelligent and enterprising man, he occupied 
a, prominent position in his community, and his 
honor and integrity were unquestioned. For fifty 
years he was a devoted member of tlie Baptist 
Church. From his youth he was an ardent sup- 
poi'ter of the principles of Democracy. During 
the days of the gold excitement he went to Cali- 
fornia, and while there served as County .Judge 
foi' two years. The mother of our subject was 
Anna Snell, a native of Scott County, Ky.. and of 
her marriage were born seven sons and five daugh- 
ters, namely: William H., .Tosiali, Jackson, Robert, 
Adam, Thomas, Alexander D., Margaret A., Sallie, 
Eliza, Lurania, and Catherine, who died in in- 
fancy. The mother attained to the eighty-fifth 
anniversary of iier birth when she passed away. 
She was a consistent member of the Baptist Church. 
This branch of the family- was of Knglish extrac- 
tion. 

As before slated, our subject was brought to 



Clay County at the age of six months. His early 
education was received at a subscription school 
held in a pioneer log schoolhouse, with punciieon 
floor, open fireplace and slab benches. He remained 
on the home farm, attending to the duties that 
usually devolve upon boys of his age, until his 
eighteentii year. After farming a short time for 
liimself, he left these jaeaceful pursuits, and in 
May, 1846, enlisted for the Mexican War. in Moss' 
company, and Donathan's regiment. During his 
service of fourteen months, he participated in three 
heavy battles and many smaller engagements, 
traveled six thousand miles on horseVjack, and for 
eight months was without enough to cat. In June, 
1847, he was mustered out at New Orleans and re- 
turned home. He preceded the gold miners to 
California some two years, going overland with 
six yoke of oxen in company with fourteen men. 
For four years he remained in the Golden State, 
and meanwhile mined, but mostly engaged in pack- 
ing on mules to the mines. His train of twenty- 
seven mules was at one time covered under fifteen 
feet of snow, and this catastrophe entailed a loss 
of $7,000. By making snow shoes and walking- 
fifteen miles, he was able to save himself, but he 
lost everything. As soon as he had earned enough 
monej^ to pay his expenses, lie returned to ]Mis- 
.souri, making the trip by water. 

October 20, 1854, Capt. Pence married Dinitia 
Estes, who was born here; their nine children all 
grew to maturity and were: Jefferson, William, Jo- 
siah, Robert L., Harrison, Lucinda and America 
(deceased), Eliza E. and Adam. After his marriage 
he located on his present farm, where he built a 
log house and cut the first tree. Now he owns 
two hundred and seventy acres of improved land, 
on which he raises large crops of grain, and also 
engages extensively in stock-raising. The log 
house burned and he built his present large frame 
residence in 1870. He still superintends his farm. 

In 1862, our subject enlisted in Company C, 
Thompson's regiment, and served one year and 
a-lialf, at the expiration of which time he was 
made Captain of his company. Mrs. Pence died 
October 19, 1871, aged thirty-one years. Feb- 
ruary 5, 1880, Capt. Pence married Miss America 
Smith, who was horn in Kentucky, and came to 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPmCAL RECORD. 



201 



this county iu 1856. Our subject and lus wife are 
members of the Christian Church, in which they 
take an active interest. In politics, Capt. Pence is 
a Democrat. He has never held any office, prefer- 
ring private life. For thirty years lie has been 
identified with tiie Masonic fraternity, and was a 
charter member of the lodge at Kearney. lie 
is a Director and stockholder in the Kearney 
I5:ink, and a stockholder in the Holt Bank. In 
all measures originated to promote the welfare 
of the county, he has been foremost, and through 
the long period of his residence here he has main- 
tained a reputation for honor and probity. 






ylLLI AM K. HARDER. Ray County in the 
past has furnislied many examples of the 
success attendant upon persistent indus- 
try, accompanied by that intelligence which impels 
to the improvement of every opportunity. Among 
the number of those who arc successfully conduct- 
ing operations along chosen lines of business, 
may be mentioned the name of Mr. Harder, who, 
although still a young man, has already achieved 
success. He is now engaged in the livery business 
in the village of Vibbard, iu the vicinity of which 
place almost his entire life has been passed. 

For particulars with reference to the parentage 
and ancestry of our subject, the reader is referred 
to the biographical sketch of Rev. John W. Har- 
der, which is presented on another page of this 
volume. William R. was born on the old home- 
stead, one and one-fourth miles east of Vibbard, 
and the date of his birth was February 5, 1868. His 
boyhood years were passed in a comparatively un- 
eventful manner, attendance at the district school 
being varied with work on the home farm during 
the summer months. He acquired a practical 
common-school education, which fitted him for 
the successful prosecution of business affairs. 

After leaving school, Mr. Harder entered upon 
the career of a fanner and for a time carried on 
agricultural pursuits. He was married .January 21, 
18;M, to Miss Kileii Diiffctt, daughter of the well- 



known farmer and stock-raiser, Henry Duffett. 
Their union has proved a congenial one and tiieir 
home is brightened by the presence of their daugh- 
ter, Emma A. Mr. Harder continued as a farmer 
for one year following his marriage, and then 
came to Vibbard and embarked in the livery busi- 
ness, which he has since conducted with ability 
and success. 

All those measures which have for their object 
the development of the resources of Ray County 
find in Mr. Harder a stanch friend and supporter. 
He believes that wonderful as has been the ad- 
vancement of his community in the past, there is 
no indication that the climax has been reached, 
but the future years will bring as great progress 
as the past has shown. In his political belief he 
is a Democrat, loyal to every principle of his 
part3\ In his religious connection, he is identi- 
fied with the Christian Union Church, of which 
he and his wife are active members. 



(^ JK'ILLIAM J. COURTNEY. The subject of 
\rJ/j this sketch is a gentleman in the prime of 

wW life, who by patient application has won 
for himself distinction at the I?ar and the confi- 
dence and respect of his fellow-citizens. He was 
born in Kearney Township, Cl.ay County, Mo., 
May 12, 1843, being the son of Archibald C. Court- 
ney, a native of Kentucky, and a farmer by oc- 
cupation. Grandfather John Courtney, who was 
a native of Pennsylvania, served as a soldier of 
the Revolutionary War, and became an early set- 
tler of Kentucky. The Courtney family is of 
English descent and has a number of branches. 
The mother of our subject, Elyann Estes, was born 
in Clay County, Mo., and was a daughter of Henry 
and Lucinda Estes. The father of our subject was 
a farmer and stock-raiser and also followed mer- 
cantile pursuits. Of his twelve children, eight at- 
tained to maturity and seven are now living, our 
subject being the eldest. 

William .T. Courtney i)assed his youth upon the 

farm and attended tlie coniiuon schools. In 1863, 



292 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



wlien about twenty 3'ears of age, he enlisted in the 
Con federate arm}' as a member of Company B, 
Slianks' regiment, Shelby's brigade, and Gen. 
Price's army. He remained in service until the 
close of the war and participated in a number of 
battles and engagements. Entering a private, he 
retired in June, 1865, as First Lieutenant, having 
served faithfully to the close of the war. 

Once more resuming the occupation of civic 
life, Mr. Courtney was employed as clerk bj' the 
firm of Moss A Armstrong for a period of about 
two years, and at the expiration of that time he 
bought out the business, which he conducted for 
two years and then sold. Afterward he became 
proprietor of the Artiuir House, the leading hotel 
of Liberty. He studied law with Ilenr}' L. Routt 
and Thomas McCarty, of Liberty; was admitted to 
the Bar at this place in 1874, Judge George W. 
Dunn presiding, and practiced law at Liberty for 
Several years. Removing to Kearney, he followed 
his profession there for some time, and then came 
back to Liberty, where he has since resided, prac- 
ticing in all the courts. 

Our subject was married, in 1867, to Miss INIaria 
E., daughter of Judge Ninian Letton, of Lexing- 
ton, Mo., she being a native of that place. Mr. 
and Mrs. Courtney are the parents of two chil- 
dren: William Malcolm and Thomas M., editors 
of the Clay County Progress. In politics, Mr. 
Courtney is a Democrat, his convictions being 
embodied in the platform of that party. 



^^ 



\'i] RVING GILMER. A successful newspaper is 
I generally representative of the people of the 
li^ place in which it is located and its value to a 
community is beyond estimate. The American 
press, like the American people, is vigorous, tu-e- 
less in its defense of the principles of justice, and 
frank in the expression of opinions. Such, in 
brief, is the character of the Liberty Tribune, of 
which Mr. Gilmer is editor and proprietor. 

Among the early residents of Clay County may 
be mentioned the father of our subject, Robert G. 



Gilmer, who was born in Guilford County, N. C, 
February 22, 1814. There he grew to manhood 
and remained until 1836, when, imbued with the 
pioneer spirit and desirous of seeking a home in 
what was then considered the Far West, he came 
to Missouri on horseback, in company with a 
friend, and settled in Clay County. For a few 
years he engaged in teaching school and later 
clerked in various stores in Liberty. About 1844 
he removed to the country and built the front 
part of the house owned at present by Mrs. Ze- 
relda .Samuels, mother of the James boj's, and 
which place gained considerable notoriety in after 
years as being their home. 

After a short time, however, Mr. Gilmer, Sr., 
returned to Liberty and engaged in business. In 
1848 he removed to Missouri City and there car- 
ried on a large business merchandising, bu^-ing 
and shipping hemp, and also farming extensively. 
At that time Missouri City was one of the princi- 
pal river towns and its commercial importance 
was considerable. In 1866 Mr. Gilmer embarked 
in business as a manufacturer of tobacco and con- 
tinued thus engaged until 1870. He died in Lib- 
erty, March 31, 1891, and his remains were laid 
to rest exactly flft3'-four years to a day fi'om the 
time he had left his old Carolina home to come to 
Missouri. 

Irving Gilmer was born in Missouri City, Clay 
County, Mo., January 28, 1863, and is therefore 
now in the prime of his mental vigor. He was 
reared to manhood in that city. In December, 
1887, he came to Liberty, and in May of the fol- 
lowing year leased the liberty Tribune, in con- 
nection with Thomas II. Frame. The owner of 
the paper was J. E. Lincoln, who had purchased it 
at that time from John Dougherty. Mr. Frame 
retired in three months and his part of the lease 
was transferred to George F. Bird. In Jlay, 1890, 
at the commencement of the forty-fifth volume, 
Mr. Gilmer purchased the Tribune, of which he 
has since been editor and proprietor. Since his 
first connection with the paper, he has controlled 
its business management, and his efforts in that 
line have been successful. 

September 12, 1888, occurred the marriage of 
Irving (iilmer to Miss Minnie M., daughter of 



I>0RTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



293 



John A. Denny, an early settler of Cla}' County. 
Mr. and Mr.s. Gilmer are the parents of one living 
child, Uoliert (J., who was born December 2(;, 
1890. Tliey have lost one child b>- death. Relig- 
iously, Mr. (lilnier is identified witli the Old-school 
Presbyterian Church, and is active in his support 
of all measures which have for their object the 
elevation and welfare of the people. 



SMi AMES HUGHES, one of the most prominent 
and successful financiers of Richmond, Ra}' 
^^ County, Mo., is Vice-president of the bank- 
(^^ ing house of J. S. Hughes & Co., widely 
known as one of the "solid" moneyed institutions 
of the State, carrying a paid-up capital of SlOO,- 
000, and doing an extensive general banking bus- 
iness. A brother of our subject, J. S. Hughes, is 
the capable President of the bank, which under the 
able management of its principal officers has taken 
a foremost place among the business enterprises of 
the country. Our subject was born upon March 
30, 181-1, in Jessamine County, K3\, and is the 
fifth son of John and P^lizabeth (Berry) Hughes, 
and the sixth child of the household. His father 
was a native Pennsvlvanian and was born in the 
old Redstone Fort, now Brownsville, in the j^ear 
1777, and afterward removed with his family to 
Kentucky, residing for some time in Bryant's 
Station. 

Prior to the birth of our subject, John Hughes 
located in Jessamine County, Ky., and remained 
there a number of years. In 1822, when his son 
James was about eight years of age, he journeyed 
to Missouri, and locating with his family' upon a 
farm in Boone County, became one of the promi- 
nent agriculturists of the State. The paternal and 
maternal ancestors of James Hughes were brave 
and patriotic citizens. (Grandfather Hughes served 
faithfully in the struggles of the Revolutionary 
AVar, and both Grandfather Berry and John 
Hughes participated actively in the War of 1812, 
serving under Gen. Harrison. Our subject spent 
the days of hoyliond .assisting his father upon tlie 



farm, and also attended the district school of the 
nelgliborhood, later receiving the added benefit of 
instruction in the Academy in Boonville. At six- 
teen years of age, Mr. Hughes came to Richmond, 
Ray County, and was emploj'ed as a clerk and 
.salesman in a leading dry-goods house. He con- 
tinued working in this capacity for different firms 
from 1830 to 1837, when he engaged in business 
for himself, and, forming a co-partnership with his 
brother Willis, profitably conducted a mercantile 
establishment until 1845, when he abandoned mer- 
chandising and devoted himself' to agricultural 
duties. 

For thirty successive years our subject prosper- 
ously engaged in general farming and was one of 
the most successful stock-raisers in the State, ex- 
tensively handling fine graded horses and cattle. 
To his enterprise, sagacity and energetic ability' is 
mainly due the advancement in leading agricul- 
tural interests of the county, which received an 
upward impetus through his ambitious and success- 
ful progressive manner and methods. JMr. Hughes 
retired from tiie active duties of farming in 1877, 
when he removed to Richmond and engaged in 
the banking business with his brother, Joseph 
Hughes, and his son, Burnett Hughes. Our sub- 
ject still owns his maguificent farm of eight hun- 
dred and eighty-two acres, nearly all of the land 
being under a high state of cultivation. In 
the spring and summer, when the fields are a 
mass of waving green, it presents a picture of Na- 
ture's bounteous store long to be remembered, and 
speaks more eloquently than words of the patient 
industry, energy and earnest purpose of the mas- 
ter hand that redeemed the unbroken prairie from 
its barrenness and made it blossom like the rose, 
and glow with the rich yellow of the autumn har- 
vest. The old homestead is now conducted by 
Ammi Hughes, the youngest son of our subject. 

Mr. Hughes was first united in marriage in 
1842, wedding Miss Elvira A. Smith, of Ray 
County, but forinerl3' of Pittsylvania County, A'a. 
Mrs. Elvira A. (Smith) Hughes survived her mar- 
riage thirty-five years, and after a life of busj' use- 
fulness passed away Januaiy 16, 1877. She was 
the mother of eight children, six sons and two 
daughters having lilcssed the h;ippy home of Mr. 



294 



PORTRAIT ANT) BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and Mrs. Hughes. The eldest child, Elizabeth V. 
(Hughes) Mansur, is the wife of William H. Mau- 
sur, President of the Chillicothe Savings Associa- 
tion. Henry Clay Hughes is a well-known and 
prosperous farmer of Ray Countj-. Berry and Bur- 
nett are twins; Berry is a farmer and Burnett is 
Cashier of the banl<. Then comes Allen, who died 
aged about thirty ^ears. Newton is a clerk in the 
bank at Richmond. Ammi Hughes, a young man 
of more than ordinary promise, has just graduated 
from Richmond College. Louisa R., is the wife of 
Virgil Dillin, of St. Louis, Mo. The second wife of 
Mr. Hughes was Mrs. Adaline Lightner, to whom 
our subject was married in 1882. Since January, 
1877, our subject has made his permanent home in 
Richmond and while necessarily devoting much of 
his time to the banking business, has enjojed the 
honor of twice occupying the mayoral chair, aud 
as the chief executive of the city did effective 
service in behalf of local progress and improve- 
ment. The attractive and commodious familj' res- 
idence, located in the southern part of Richmond, 
is surrounded by sixteen finely kept acres of 
ground, and is the scene of many social gather- 
ings, our subject and his family having a host of 
old-time friends. In political affiliations Mr. 
Hughes is a Democrat, and an ardent advocate of 
the principles of Democracy. He is in politics as 
in business a leader, and, widely known as a pro- 
gressive and public-spirited man of sterling integ- 
rity of character, commands the esteem .and confi- 
dence of his fellow-citizens. 



\T'AMKS M. WRIGHT. The influence of the 
editor of a countr3' newspaper is direct and 
great, because he is in constant and inti- 
mate communication with the people. Un- 
like his brother of the metropolitan press, his 
aim is always to be in touch with his patrons and 
to reflect the sentiment of his community, and in 
this he is usually succesful. The subject of our 
sketch, the editor and proprietor of the Ray 



County Republican, was born in Huntsville, Ran- 
dolph County, Mo., June 20, 1845, a son of Amos 
Wright, who was born in Kentucky, but came to 
Missouri in 1831, locating on the present site of 
Huntsville, which was then a part of his farm. 

In the year 1849 the father went to California, 
crossing the plains with an ox-team and wagon, 
in quest of a fortune, and died there in 1850. 
The mother of our subject was Mary Belsher, a na- 
tive of Kentuckj% who was married in Howard 
County, AIo.,and died in 1886. James M.Wright, 
our subject, is the second of four children, and 
his boyhood up to his sixteenth year was passed 
in Huntsville. In 1861, he enlisted in Company 
G, Ninth Missouri Regiment, and served in it two 
years and seven m'onths, fighting in the Union 
army. After that, he enlisted in the Fourteenth 
Veteran Missouri Cavalry, Col. Catherwood com- 
manding. During his term of service our sub- 
ject participated in the battles of Compton's 
Ferry and Independence, in the fall of 1864, in 
which he was shot in the right shoulder and 
carries the ball to-da3\ He served his time and 
was mustered out with his regiment, November 
19, 1865, at Ft. Leavenworth, Kan. 

After his discharge, Mr. Wright returned to 
Huntsville, where he remained through the win- 
ter, and in the spring started for California with 
a company of men, and got as far as Salt Lake 
City, when he was employed by the Union Pa- 
cific Telegraph Company to put in poles and 
wires through to Denver. Returning to Missouri 
in 1867, he engaged in the printing business, 
having acquired a knowledge of it previous to 
his entering the arm}' in the office of Francis M. 
Taj'lor, editor of the Randolph Citizen, published at 
Huntsville, Mo. In 1868 he was employed on 
the old paper, the Randolph Citizen, published by 
Richard Thompson, and remained with this paper 
until 1870. In the latter year he married Miss 
Anna B., daughter of John G. Beatt\', whose fam- 
ily came from Pennsylvania to Missouri. After 
his marriage he located in Huntsville and engaged 
in the real-estate business. Later he was a jour- 
neyman printer at Denton, Tex., and while there 
was engaged in the freight business for two years. 

Returning to Huntsville, our subject remained 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



295 



until 188(), when he wont to Kansas City, where 
he remained eigiitecn niontlis; he then returned to 
lluntsville and eslaljlislied tlie Iluntsville Review, 
au independent paper. Following this he settled 
at Orrick, Kay County, Mo., and established the 
Orrick l{evieu\ which he conducted until Se()tein- 
ber, 18'.H), when he removed his otlice to Richmond 
and changed its name to the Ray County Repub- 
lican, an eight-column folio, home print, neat and 
newsj', and Republican in politics. It is printed 
on new presses, issued on Thursda.y of each week, 
and is in a flourishing condition, having a good 
circulation and liberal advertising patronage. lie 
is assisted in his work by his only son and child, 
Frank V. Wright. Our subject is a member of 
Richmond Lodge No. 208, I. O. O. F.; and also 
of George N. McGee Post No. 206, G. A. R., of 
which he is now Post Commander. Mr. Wright 
is a gentleman of energy, a good editor and a 
whole-souled man, with a host of friends. 



-^ ^^- 



Wi AMES K. HUNT. The glory of manly 
character is the upright performance of in- 
dividual duty. Many of the citizens of 
Ray County illustrate this truth by their 
noble lives, and none more so than the subject of 
this sketch, who is one of the successful agricul- 
turists of the county. His farm is located in town- 
ship r)2, range 27, and is well improved and highly 
cultivated. Mr. Hunt was born within five miles 
of where he now lives, in Kay County, June 29, 
1832. His father, Heniy M. Hunt, was born in 
Anderson County, Ky., in about 1807, and re- 
mained with his parents until of age, having mean- 
while received a fairly good education in the 
schools of his district and au intelligent training 
on the farm. He loved rural life and continued 
an agriculturist until his death. When quite 
young, he married and became the father of one 
child, EUza, who married a Mr. Hackney, and is 
now deceased. 

After the death of his wifii, Mr. Hunt removed 
to Missoiiri. settling at once in R;iv ('iimit\', tln'ce 



miles east of Richmond, and in a few years bought 
land in the Missouri Bottoms, south of Hardin. 
While living near Richmond, he married Elizabeth, 
daughter of James and Sally (Frazier) Frazier, all 
natives of Kentucky. Their union was blessed by 
the birth of five children, as follows: Our subject; 
Sally, deceased, who first married Dr. Ralph, and 
afterward became Mrs. Benjamin Smith; Fannie, 
wife of Henry Preuitt; John, deceased; and one 
that died in infancy. Mr. Hunt remained near 
Hardin until 1851 and then removed to a farm 
nine miles north of Richmond. His wife was a 
member of the Christian Church, while he was a 
Baptist. Politically, he always voted and worked 
with the Democratic party. His death occurred 
in 1879; his wife survived him for twelve years, 
and passed away on her birthday, Januarv 15, 
1891, aged eighty-four. 

Our subject remained with his parents until his 
marriage, a few months prior to his twentieth year. 
His schooling was received in a log schoolhouse in 
Ray County, with primitive benches made of split 
logs, floors of puncheon, and rude slabs for writing- 
desks. An aperture in the wall served for a 
window, while the chimney was made of mud and 
sticks, and the greater portion of the heat went up 
the huge tirepliice. After his marriage, Mr. Hunt 
remained at home with his parents for two years, 
then rented some property of his father-in-law, and 
finally bought his present farm, which consists of 
eighty acres of partly improved land, being one of 
the first farms in Ray County. To his original 
purchase he has added twelve acres, making nine- 
ty-two acres in all, and here he has resided ever 
since first making it his home. 

Mr. Hunt married Anna E., daughter of Wiish- 
ington and Sarah (Hamilton) Jlorris, all natives of 
West Virginia. Mrs. Hunt accompanied her par- 
ents to Missouri when she was a child. Siie 
bore her husband the following children: Will- 
iam P., who died at the age of fifteen; Sallie, de- 
ceased, formerly the wife of ^'incent Boggess: Al- 
lievia, who died September 4, 1890; Katie, who 
passed away September 5, 1890; Henry and J)aisy, 
both of whom died young; Isabella, wife of Samuel 
Smith; Emma, Mrs. Rufus Walls; Cardia, who mar- 
ried William Strain; Ella, the wife of George Al- 



296 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, 



corn; George and Edward. Our subject is a mem- 
ber of the Baptist Church, with which liis wife 
was also identified. He is a Democrat of pro- 
nounced proclivities and always shows great inter- 
est in election contests. In the fall of 1890, he 
suffered a deep bereavement, his wife dying Sep- 
tember 3 of that year, and about the same time 
two of his daughters passed away, he being then 
unconscious witii the dread disease, typhoid fever, 
which carried them off. In this terrible affliction 
he and his surviving children received the deepest 
and most heartfelt sympath)- of all the people in 
tlieir community, and kind hands and sympathiz- 
ing hearts aided them as much as possible in the 
time of trouble. 



t)HOMAS G. LEITCII. Since IS.H this gen- 
tleman has been one of the representative 
and prosperous general agriculturists and 
stock-breeders of Gallatin Township, Clay County. 
He resides on section 27, township 51, range 32, 
and cultivates the liomestead acres, whose fertile 
soil furnishes an excellent income jear after year. 
Our subject was born in Virginia in the year 1832, 
and was one of nine children comprising the fam- 
ily of James R. and Frances (Robertson) Leitch. 
Of the- others the following is noted: James is a 
trader in Liberty; William is a farmer in Clay 
County; Heniy is a successful agriculturist of 
Clay County; Mrs. Mar}' Robertson lives north of 
Liberty. The members of the Leitch family are 
widely known as intelligent, energetic and enter- 
prising citizens, and are universally respected and 
highly esteemed by the general public. 

James R. Leitch, the father of our subject, occu- 
pied a prominent and influential position in the 
Old Dominion, and was a leading man in his part 
of the State. His opinion and advice upon mat- 
ters of interest were eagerly sought and valued by 
his friends and neiglibois. deceiving a good com- 
mon-school education in early j'outh, he taught 
school for a time when he was a young man, but 
soon engaged in nK)ri' congenial and prcjfitablo 



avocations. Born in Spotlsylvania, Va., among 
the tillers of the soil, he was early trained to agri- 
cultural duties, and made farming the permanent 
work of his life. In time he became an extensive 
land-holder, owning twelve hundred acres, which 
he profitably cultivated. He was a public-spirited 
and progressive man, donating liberally in behalf 
of worthy enterprises, and patriotically became a 
soldier in the War of 1812, serving bravely 
throughout the struggles of that campaign. He 
and his good wife were both members of religious 
organizations, the husband communing with the 
Presbyterians, and the wife adhering to the doc- 
trines of the Baptist Church. They were active 
in the aid and support of all Christian work, and 
were upright and conscientious in their daily walk 
of life. In political attiliation, the father of our 
subject was a Whig, and an earnest advocate of 
the principles of the party. 

Thomas G. Leitch was twenty-two 3'ears of age 
when he located near Libert^-, in Clay Countj-, 
Mo. Hts marriage in 1856 united him with Miss 
Amanda, the daughter of R. Hall, a prominent 
citizen and office-holder of Libert}-. Mr. Hall ably 
discharged the duties of Constable, and was after- 
ward an energetic and elDcieiit Deputy-Sheriff. 
Mrs. Leitch was one of a family of nine sisters and 
brothers, and herself became the mother of nine 
children, as follows: Willie, who was born in 1857, 
married Miss Flora Rogers, and lives upon a farm 
near Libert}-; Charles, born in 1861, has served as 
Surveyor of Clay County; Mary, born in 1864, 
died in 1878; Nellie, born in 1868; Jennie, in 
1869; Lovie, in 1872; Jettie, in 1875, and Ruby, 
in 1877, are all with the father. One child died 
in infancy. The pleasant home is bright with the 
presence of these intelligent and attractive young 
ladies, who enjoy the esteem and high regard of a 
large circle of friends. 

Our subject owns two hundred and sixty acres 
of valuable land, and has been especially success- 
ful in the breeding of thoroughbred cattle, and 
owns some of the highest grades in this part of 
the State. In childhood Mr. Leitch enjoyed the 
benefit of a good common-school education, and, 
appreciating the advantage he thus gained, has 
been an earnest advocate of giving the youth every 



r«\ 



5sS 

'I 



^W-' 






^ vtyt- 



^ aJ-M^' 




qJ , W ' cf/Ch-'Ciyi'tS^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



299 



possible opportunity for instruction. The peace- 
ful pursuit of .igriculture w.as rudely interrupted 
in I.s(i"2, when our subject enlisted in Company' A, 
of Rennicks" command, but since the close of the 
war he lias constantly engaged in farming. Fra- 
ternally, he is a member of tlie Masonic order, and 
politically is a Democrat, taking a deep interest in 
public affairs. His excellent wife, who died in 
1885, was a member of the Presbyterian Church 
and was foremost in the promotion of its be- 
nevolent enterprises and the extension of its work. 
For thirty -seven years Mr. Leitch has been an im- 
portant factor in the grciwth and progress of his 
neighborhood and county, and is widel}' known 
and highly respected as a man of honor and in- 
tegrity. 



;?OHN CHAIJLES STRAFBE. The subject 
of our sketch is characterized by a strong 
^^^, , desire to meet those with whom he has to 
y^f,' deal in a spirit of ^entire fairness, and his 
transactions are marked by straightforward hon- 
estj'. He is owner of a meat market in Richmond, 
and is one of the prominent citizens of this place. 
Born February 12, 1821, in the village of Schaunau, 
Prussia, Germany, he is tiie only son in a familj' of 
three, .Johanna, Theresa and liimseif. The parents 
were Charles Ferdinand and Maria (Mande) 
Straubc, the latter being the daughter of Fr.ink 
Mande. 

The father of our subject was a hotel-keeper 
and owned a meat market. He died in 1848 in 
the sixtieth j'ear of his age. He was the son of 
Albert Straube, who died at the advanced age of 
ninety-three j'cars. His wife, the grandmother of 
our subject, was Anna Geislcr. The mother of 
our subject, a worth}- and good woman, departed 
this life in 1843. .John Charles Straube entered 
school at the age of six j^ears and continued a pu- 
pil until he was fourteen, when he was appren- 
ticed to the trade of a butcher under his father, at 
the completion of which service lie traveled through 



Eastern Austria as a journeyman, visiting Vienna, 
Buda-Pesth, Belgrade and other important places. 
Afterward he traveled through .Southern Europe 
and visited the main cities, among which were 
I^ubeck, Munich, Wurtemberg, Ulm, Stutgard, 
Augsburg and Nuremberg Ottingen, the burial 
place of the kings of Bavaria and their families. 
At Ochstadt he remained seven months working at 
his trade. Thence he proceeded to Nuremberg, 
Hamburg, Wurtzburg, Beyrout, and into Saxony, 
visiting its leading towns, as Plauen, Chemnitz, 
Leipsig, Meissen (where the great china factoiy is 
located), Dresden, Bautzen and Goerlitz, returning 
home from the latter place. 

In 1841, our subject joined the Prussian army, 
entering the First Regiment of Lancers, in which 
he served for three j'ears. He left his home in 
1845 and went to Breslau, where he worked at his 
trade until 1850. At that time he wasagain called 
into the army, and was stationed at the border of 
Austria, where he remained until peace was de- 
clared and he was discharged. He emigrated to 
the United States in 1852, in company with five of 
his friends, arriving at New York after a vo.yage 
of two months on a sailing-vessel. Proceeding to 
Buffalo, where he remained a very short time, he 
went to Cincinnati and spent the winter In the 
summer of the ensuing year he worked on a farm 
in Hamilton Count}' for $12 a month and his 
board. Subsequently he was emploj'ed on the 
Little Miami Railroad, at a station named Love- 
land, in Ohio, where he remained for four years. 
At this latter place, .July 28,1856, he married 
Miss Sophia Moses, a native of Bavaria, Germany, 
born March 13, 1831, and the daughter of H. H. 
Moses. 

Three years after his marriage Mr. Straube 
rented a farm and continued to reside there for 
six years, or until 1865, when he came to Ray 
County, Mo. After operating a rented farm for 
five years, he bought eighty acres, which he im- 
proved, and continued to reside on that farm un- 
til 1883. He opened a meat market at Lexington 
.Junction in 1875, continuing it until 1883, when 
he removed to Richmond, and there he has since 
resided. Soon after coming to this city, he opened 
a meat market, which li.as proved a financial sue- 



300 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



cess; tlie result in a measure being tlie fact that he 
selects his beeves and other animals with great 
care aufl kills his own meat. 

January 23, 1889, Mr. Straube was bereaved by 
the death of his wife, wlio during the many years 
of their married life was a true helpmate to her 
husband and assisted him in the accumulation of 
their property. Slie was noted for her kind and 
charitable deeds among the poor, and was a woman 
of great nobility of character. With tenderness 
and love she cared for her children, six in number, 
and the positions of usefulness to which the3' have 
attained are due in no small measure to the in- 
fluence of her training and example. The record 
of her children is as follows: Alfred A. now re- 
sides at Horton, Kan.; Laura J., Mrs. August 
Hauth, died September lo, 1888, leaving two 
children, August and Michel; Lena married Richard 
Warinner, of Quincy, 111., and they have two chil- 
dren, Mabel S. and an infant son; Emma V., 8oi)hia 
L. and M. Theresa are at home. Socially, Mr. 
Straube is identified with Richmond Lodge No. 
208, J. O. O. F., and AVakinda Encampment No. 
44. In politics, he is a stanch Democrat and ad- 
heres to the principles of his chosen party w itli 
fidelity and enthusiasm. In his pleasant liome on 
East Main Street, he is passing the declining years 
of his well-spent life, surrounded with the com- 
forts secured bv years of activity. 



'^ ALLEN McDonald, a leading and influ- 
ential merchant of Richmond, lia,y County, 
was born in the city where he now resides, 
_ December 3, 1859, and has long been an 
active member of the well-known and prosperous 
firm of M. F. McDonald & .Sons. The parents of 
our subject were Murray F. and Margaret (Davis) 
McDonald. The father was a native of Culpeper 
County, Va., and was the son of Eben S. McDon- 
ald, whose immediate ancestors were Scotch peo- 
ple. Murray F. was a man of more than ordinary 
business ability, upright in character, and com- 
manded Ihe lespoct and esteem of all who knew 



him. He founded his well-known establishment 
in 1852 and prosperously engaged in the handling 
of general merchandise until his death, February 
10, 1890. Mr. McDonald was killed by the fall- 
ing of walls in a building where he was standing 
in conversation with friends, after the disastrous 
conflagration in Kichmqnd had been checked and 
all danger of the fire still further extending had 
been averted. His tragic death cast still deeper 
gloom over the community which had suffered 
severely by the fire, and the entire town of Rich- 
mond mourned his death as a great and irrepara- 
ble public loss. He was born in the year 1836, 
and was therefore in the prime of usefulness when 
his untimely death robbed his family and friends 
of his genial presence. 

Mrs. Murray F. McDonald was the daughter of 
Dr. Nathaniel Davis, an early pioneer of Missouri, 
and a long-time resident of Richmond, where he 
successfully practiced medicine from 1820 until 
1850, and was widel}' known as an able and skill- 
ful physician. Mrs. McDonald, who died in 1888, 
was the mother of three sons and one daughter. 
J. Allen, our subject, was primarily educated in 
the public schools of his home, and afterward re- 
ceived a course of instruction in Richmond Col- 
lege. He then went into his father's store and 
began his mercantile career as a clerk, and upon 
his father's death succeeded to the charge of the 
business. The firm carries a complete line of goods 
in each department, exhibiting an especially fine 
assortment of dress-goods. The carpets and oil- 
cloths, which are shown in the second story of their 
extensive and tastily arranged store, are first-class 
in eveiy particular, and the stock is one of the 
largest in this portion of the State. The long es- 
tablished custom of the firm is constantly increas- 
ing its limits, the trade now extending through- 
out the surrounding country. 

J. Allen McDonald was married February 18, 
1885, to Miss Isabel, daughter of Charles and 
Emma Sevier, prominent residents of the citj'. 
The happy home of our subject and his wife has 
been blessed by the birth of three children: Mar- 
garet, Charles A. and Sue, bright and promising 
little ones. Mr. McDonald has discharged with 
energetic efficiency the pulilic duties of various 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



301 



official positions of trust, and was for ten years Ibe 
popular Cit3' Treasurer. He has been the able 
Secretar}' of the Board of Education for several 
years and lias ever been active in the promotion 
of educational interests. Politically, he is a Dem- 
ocrat. He and his excellent wife are valued mem- 
bers of the Old-school Presbyterian Ciiurch and 
are foremost in the extension of the good works 
of that religious organization. The family resi- 
dence upon IMain Street is the scene of many a 
pleasant social gathering of the friends of Mr. and 
Mrs. McDonald, who have passed their entire lives 
among the .associations of childhood, and who 
have ever been important factors in the success of 
local, social and religious enterprise. As a busi- 
ness man of undoubted integrity of character, and 
as a public-spirited citizen assisting in the growth 
and progress of his home and county, our subject 
has worthilj- won and firmly holds the high regard 
of the general public. 






ICHAEL W. CRISPIN, an able, leading 
and influential citizen of Richmond, Ray 
County, Mo., for many years President of 
the Ray County Savings Bank, and at the 
same time connected with the Richmond Companj', 
has for more than a quarter of a century been one 
of the busiest and most enterprising men in the 
State, and until February, 1893, was actively en- 
gaged in milling in one of the most complete 
establishments of its kind in the country. Our sub- 
ject was born in Fayette County, Ohio, near the 
Highland County line, September 4, 1844. His 
father, Abel Crispin, was a native of Washington 
County, Pa., and was a farmer. The paternal 
grandfather Crispin was of Scotch descent, and 
was a man of intelligence, thrift and keen sag.acity. 
The mother of our subject was Mar^- Wilson, a 
daughter of Michael Wilson, and was a native of 
Mason Countj-,Ky., where she was reared and mar- 
ried. The father and mother of Michael Crispin 
both died when he was but an nifant. Five chil- 
dren were left to face the trials and sorrows of the 



world, but the inheritance of energetic self-reliance 
was a capital in life for the orphaned f.amily. The 
famil}^ consisted of one daughter and three sons, 
and two sons and the daughter are now living. 
Michael W. Crispin passed his boyhood upon a 
farm in Highland County, where his parents had 
moved. He attended the district school, and was 
reared a farmer boy and remained upon the home- 
stead until tiie outbreak of the Civil War, when 
he enlisted in Company- A, Second Ohio Regiment 
Heavy Artillery, and was sent South, passing- 
through Alabama and Georgia, and was detailed 
to guard prisons, forts, and cities, and thus faith- 
fully passed three years. He served with bravery 
and courage and was mustered out at Nashville. 
Tenn., August 2.3, 1865. 

Once more a private citizen, Jlr. Crispin re- 
turned to Ohio and engaged in farming and stock- 
raising until 1867, when he located in Ray County, 
Mo., and again devoted himself to the duties of 
general agriculture and stock-raising. It was not 
long before our energetic and progressive subject 
learned the milling business, and became a stock- 
liolder and Director in the large and flourishing 
steam flourinill in Richmond. The mill is a four- 
st(n'y brick structure, furnished with the best and 
most modern machinery, and is one of the leading 
and substantial interests of Richmond. Aside from 
his various banking and other interests, Mr. Crispin 
owns a magnificent stock-farm, of about five hun- 
dred acres, all under a high state of cultivation. 
Our subject buys and sells cattle and hogs, and is 
fortunate in his various ventures and has amassed 
a comfortable competence. In every respect a 
thorough business man, our subject is also guided 
by principles of honor and integrity, and holds 
the respect and regard of the entire community 
among whom he leads his busy life. 

Upon February 14, 1867, Michael W. Crispin 
was married to Miss Eliza E. White, of Highland 
County, Ohio. Mrs. Crispin was the daughter of 
Joseph and Cynthia White, the mother being a na- 
tive of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Crispin have a family 
of seven children, who are Lulu, the wife of 
Robert E. Bates, of Richmond; Cora L., at home; 
Charles E., Anna B., Michael W., James E. and 
Silas R. These bright and enterprising sons and 



302 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



(laughters are most of them at home and enjoy the 
beautiful grounds and attractive family residence. 
Mr. and Mrs. Crispin are valued members of the 
Southern Methodist Episcopal C'hurcli, and are 
numbered among the cheerful givers and firm sup- 
porters of social and benevolent enterprise. Win- 
ning his own way self-reliantly upward, our sub- 
ject has reached a position of affluence and honor 
and now generously shares with others less for- 
tunate some of the abundance with which his ear- 
nest efforts have been crowned. In politics, he is 
a Democrat. 



^:^ 



"JllULIOS C. HUGHES. Our subject resides 
upon an excellent farm, to which he de- 
votes liis entire attention, and his success 
demonstrates the fact that one ma)' be a 
student of books and at the same time a practical 
farmer. Failing health compelled him to with- 
draw from the practice of tlie law, for which he 
had equipped himself by hard study, but he has 
not permitted his disappointment to interfere in 
the slightest with the discharge of the duties of 
his present position. Mr. Hughes is a good neigh- 
bor and kind friend. He was born in Lewis 
Count}', Mo., in 1852, being the son of John M. 
and Catherine (Muirdock) Hughes. 

The father of our subject, a native of Kentucky, 
came to Missouri with his parents in his youth 
and settled in Boone County, having previous to 
that time received a good education in the dis- 
trict schools of Kentucky. When he reached his 
majority he began life for himself, being given by 
his father a start in the mercantile line at Monti- 
cello, Lewis County, Mo. Later, he engaged in a 
similar business at Canton, the same county, and 
the town last named became his place of residence 
and continued so throughout his life. He reared 
a familj' of three children, namely: William, Laura 
K. and our subject. The mother of our subject 
died wlien he was a babe of but six weeks old; his 
father died in 1868. 

Julius C. Hughes was reared by relatives and 



was educated at Richmond, and in the university at 
Canton. Life in earnest began with him at the 
early age of sixteen, and he commenced to work 
with his hands without a penn}' of capital. In 
October, 1878, he married Marie, daughter of Dr. 
H. W. King, of Excelsior Springs, Mo., she being 
a native of Johnson County, Mo. The law en- 
gaged his attention, and while he taught school in 
liny County he studied the intricacies of Black- 
stone. In 1875 he published the Bay County 
Chronicle, at Richmond, continuing it for two 
years, after which he located at Kansas City and 
engaged in the practice of the law. He remained 
there until 1885, when he discontinued legal prac- 
tice on account of the poor health of himself and 
wife and returned to Ray County, where he was 
Deputy County Clerk for eighteen months. He 
then turned his attention exclusively to farming, 
having a fine tract of two hundred and thirty 
acres in township 51, range 27, Ray County. 

Mr. Hughes is a meniber of the Christian Church, 
while his wife is a Baptist. He is identified with 
the Prohibition party and believes that its plat- 
form should be univei-.sally adopted. A man of 
liberal education and a student, he reaches his con- 
clusions after mature deliberation and is not easily 
changed, once his mind is made up on any ques- 
tion. His neighbors respect him highly because 
of his lionesty and sincerity and entertain a very 
good opinion of his scholastic attainments. 



Z' ♦=e:*ss* 



M. (illACE, a i)racticiiig physician and 
surgeon of Lawson. was l)orn in Ray 
County, Mo., January 12, 1866. He be- 
^) longs to a family which for several genera- 
tions has been identified with the progress and de- 
velopment of the State, and in his own life and 
character reflects the sturdy principles which are 
his by inheritance, no less than by training. His 
grandfather, John Grace, emigrated from Cocke 
County, Tenn., to Hay County, Mo., at a very 
early day, and here he successfully engaged in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRArillCAL RECORD. 



303 



farming pursuits and also in tiio manufacture of 
cliairs, nucumulating in liiat way a consideralile 
amount of property. 

The fatlier of our subject, William N., was l)0rn 
in Kay County, Mo., where he afterward became a 
prominent farmer on township 52, range 29. He 
married Miss Jlary Alice, daughter of Haynie 
Tlion)|)son, an early settler of Ray County, who 
came hither from Kentucky in his bo\'liood and 
was successfully engaged in merchandising and 
farming until his death, which was caused bj' the 
explosion of a boiler in a new mill in 1861. Our 
subject is one of three living children, the others 
being George W., who lives on the old home place, 
and Cornelia J., wife of Arthur .James, Commis- 
sioner of Schools of Ray County. Another son, 
William N., .Ir., died in February, 1892, at the age 
of nineteen years and ten months. The father of 
this family passed away February 23, 1872. His 
widow is living on the old homestead with her son 
George. 

The early education of our subject was gained 
in the public schools of the county, after which he 
entered S[)aulding's Coniraerojal College at Kansas 
City, Mo., and there took a literary course. For 
some time after leaving college, he eug.iged in 
teaching in Ra^' Count}^, which he abandoned in 
order to commence the study of medicine under 
Dr. W. G. Ilarwood, of Vibbard, Mo. In 1888, he 
entered the Missouri Medical College at St. Louis, 
from which he was graduated in March, 1891. 
After graduating, he opened an oflice for the prac- 
tice of his profession at Lawson and has since been 
engaged in active practice at this pl.ace. Although 
he is young in the profession, he isalre.ady well and 
favorably' known as a pr.actitioner. and enjoys the 
confidence of his fellow-citizens. His office is lo- 
cated in the Lawson Bank Building, where he has a 
pleasant suite of rooms. It is his aim to keep abreast 
with the latest discoveries in the medical world, and 
he expects during the winter of 1892-93 to take a 
course of lectures at the Polyclinic College of New 
York. 

The marriage of Dr. Grace to Miss Annie E. 
Hunt took place December 29, 1886, and they 
are the parents of three children: Mabel, Clarence 
and I'earl. .Mrs. Grace is the daughter of the Hev. 



William Hunt, a prominent minister in the Mis- 
sionary Baptist Church. Socially, Dr. Grace is a 
member of the Order of Knights of P\tlii.as and at 
the present time is Chancellor Commander of 
Lodge No. 129, in which he takes an active interest. 
He is also a member of the Ancient Free & Ac- 
cepted Masons. In his religious belief, he is a 
member of the Missionary Baptist Church and is 
serving as Superintendent of the Sunday-school. 
He is a Democrat in his politics, believing the 
principles of that party best adapted to the wel- 
fare and progress of our Government. 






iiHOMAS i. DAVIS, our subject is now re- 
vNj compensing himself for a life of arduous 
work by spending his days in enjoyable 
rest at his pleasant home in Richmond, Mo. He 
was born in Hart County, Ky., April 12, 1836, 
and was the third of the eight children born to 
.Tames and Elizabeth (Bates) Davis, natives of 
Kentucky, the father a farmer. Grandfathers 
.Tames Davis and Bates were both natives of Mr- 
gin ia, the mother a daughter of James Bates. The 
marriage of the parents was celebrated in Ken- 
tucky, and in 1853 the}' njmoved to Ray County, 
and located on a farm near Morton, where the 
father carried on general farming. He died in 
Ray County, Mo., in January, 1854, but his wife 
survived him twenty-four years, and finally passed 
away in 1878, also in this county. 

Our subject passed his youth in Kentucky, where 
he attended school, and when seventeen years of 
age accompanied his parents to Kay Count}'." He 
continued to work on the farm with his father 
until the death of the latter, when the business 
and the care of the family fell upon him and his 
elder brother, Benjamin F., there being at that 
time four boys and one girl, with the mother, in 
the family, two sons and one daughter having 
died. Our subject was married June 3, 1874, to 
Miss Nannie Bohannon, of Ray County, the fourth 
daughter of L. C. and Cynthia (Iladdix) Bohan- 
non. After his marriage Mr. Davis located on a 



304 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



farm in Crooked River Townsliip, and carried on 
a general business of growing grain and raising 
stock in partnership witli his brother, the tract 
consisting of two luuidred and twenty acres owned 
b_v the brothers. He soon sold his interest and 
purchased another farm in Jackson County, Mo., 
but subsequently sold this and returned to Ray 
Count}', where he remained until March, 1892, 
when he left the farm and settled at Richmond, 
in order to secure better facilities for educating 
his children. 

Mr. Davis now devotes his attention to looking 
after his general business interests. There are 
four children, one son and three daughters, in the 
family: Bates, Mary, Kate and Fannie, the last 
two being twins. He is a Democrat and firmly be- 
lieves that the future hope of the country lies in 
the success of the party to which he is attaciied. 
He was an active participant in the late war, hav- 
ing first served as a private in the State Guards 
and subsequently assisted in the organization of a 
company, which he joined, entering the Confeder- 
ate armj', and was stationed for a time at Mar- 
shall, Tex. He took part in the following bat- 
tles: Carthage, Lexington, Helena (Ark.), Pea 
Ridge, Oak Hill, Prairie Grove, and a number of 
minor engagements, being twenty in all; and jet 
he escaped without a scratch and was never taken 
prisoner. During the greater part of his service 
he was in the command of Gen. Price. 



e^HJH^ 



/^ APT. JOHN I'. QUESENBEHY, a prosper- 
[l( _ ous, energetic and leading retail grocer and 
^^^ hardware merchant of Richmond, takes a 
higli place among tlie important factors in the 
growth and upbuilding of the best interests of this 
portion of Missouri, and is widel\- known as an 
earnest and progressive man. Our subject was 
born in Glasgow, Barren County, Ky., September 
18, 1818. His father, Zaeeus Quesenbery, was a 
native of Fauquier County, Va., and engaged in 
tlie handling of merchandise for years. He was 
the son of Jnines (.Juesenl)ery, wlio was of direct 



English descent. The mother of Capt. John P. 
was Mary AVarder, a native of Virginia, and the 
daughter of Joseph AVarder, also horn in tlie Old 
Dominion. 

In 1840, the Quesenbery family removed from 
Kentucky to Ray County, Mo., and settled near 
Richmond, where the father and motiier lived to a 
good old age. Thej' were the jjarents of six chil- 
dren, three sons and three daughters, of whom our 
subject is the youngest. Capt. Quesenbery passed 
the daj's of boyhood and early life upon his fa- 
ther's farm, and attended a private school, after 
which he began his business career as a clerk for 
Josiah Parott, of Rushville, 111. In 1841, our sub- 
ject came to Richmond, where he engaged as a 
clerk in the well-known store of James Hughes & 
Co., and remained in the employ of this firm until 
184.3. In com pan}' with Robert McGee, he opened 
a general merchandise house in 1848, under the 
firm name of Quesenberj' & McGee. Meeting with 
their full share of success, they continued in the 
business for two years, when Capt. Quesenbery 
sold out and immediately bought another stock of 
groceries, and continued actively in business until 
1861. 

Upon tlie breaking out of the Civil AVar, our 
subject immediately enlisted under Capt. Ben 
Reeves, and in June, 1861, joined the Confederate 
army, being one of the first to enter the service 
from Ray County. Entering the ranks as a private 
soldier in the State service, he acted as Quarter- 
master from May until June, 1862, when he was 
ordered by Gov. Jackson to Ft. Smith, Ark., with 
the supplies belonging to the State. At Ft. Smith 
these sup[ilies were turned over to the Post Quar- 
termaster. At that place in June, 1862, a company 
was organized, of which our subject was made 
Lieutenant, and in 13eceinber following, the Captain 
having fallen in battle, he succeeded to that position , 
which he filled until May, 186.5, when he resigned 
on account of ill health. The company formed a 
part of the Eleventh Regiment, assigned to Par- 
son's brigade. Capt. Quesenbery was at the bat- 
tles of Carthage, Mansfield, Pleasant Hill, Jenkins' 
Ferry, Springfield, AVilson Creek, Pea Ridge, 
Helena, and numerons other battles and skirmishes. 

At the close of the wai', ('apt. Quesenbery re- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOORAPIUCAL RECORD. 



305 



turned to RicliiuoiH), where he diligently devoted 
liimself to the nicicantilc Inisiuess, and in time was 
iililc to accumulate property. His store, located 
at the corner of Camden Avenue and Franklin 
Street, is well stocked with general groceries and 
builder's hardware. The Captain still looks after 
his liusiness as of yore, and is respected as an hon- 
orable and successful business man. The gallant 
Captain is unmarried. He is a consistent member 
of the Methodist Kpiscopal Church, and in all his 
business dealings is ever a true and sincere Chris- 
tian gentleman. In politics, he was originally a 
Whig, but since the war has acted with the Demo- 
cratic party. 



^YfUDGE CHARLES R. SHREWSBURY, 

who nearly four-score years ago made his 
advent into his father's family, is the same 
courteous gentleman as in the da3-s of his 
youth, when he was a distinguished beau among 
the Virginian maidens, and the dread of the 
rougher element among the young men, who feared 
the strength of his strong right arm. Judge 
Shrewsbury was born in Kanawha County, W. Va., 
February 17, 1814, and is a son of John D. and 
Nancy (Morris) Shrewsbury, both natives of good 
old Virginia. His grandfather, Samuel, was an 
earlj' settler, and his great-grandfather emigrated 
from England at an early day and located in 
(Jueen Bess's State. A man then had to figiit for 
even the right of a peaceful habitation in the 
country, for the Indians were not as friendly as 
they were in earlier days. 

John Shrewsbury was a salt manufacturer and 
operated large furnaces for that daj-. On going 
to Kansas, he served as Sheriff for several years. 
He died at a ripe old age after a useful and enter- 
prising life. Our subject's maternal grandsire was 
Leonard Morris, a pioneer and Indian fighter in 
Virginia. He w.is the owner of a larg^e plantation 
which vvas sold after his death for the sum of $(;0,- 
(lO(t, a large fortune in that caiiy day. Tiie jMor- 



ris ancestors were Highland Scotchmen and their 
descendants in the early part of the century who 
located in America were distinguished by all the 
national strength of fibre and sturdines.s. Our 
subject's mother died at the age of thirty-five 
years. She had been reared as a Baptist, while 
her husband was a Catholic. 

Judge Shrewsbuiy Is the eldest of a family of 
nine, four sons and five daughters, of whom three 
are now living. He was reared on a farm and at- 
tended a private school. At the age of thirteen, 
he left home to take a clerkship in Charleston, W. 
Va. He gave his mornings and evenings to that 
work for eighteen months, attending the academy 
during the daj^ time. He remained with that firm 
until twent3' years old and also did outside trad- 
ing for them. He remembers being sent to New 
Orleans in charge of slaves who were to be sold in 
the market. The firm for which he worked owned 
seven steamers, and Charles was frequently' called 
upon to take the place of one of the clerks on 
board these steamers for a short time. In 1834 he 
had a boat built and began trading on his own 
account, continuing on the river for two ^ears. 

February 19, 1836, the Judge arrived in Ray 
Count3-, Mo., having traveled all the wa3' hither 
from Virginia on horseback. He bought some 
land in Crooked River Township which had been 
partially improved, but the countiy was very 
new and there was no settlement within several 
miles. Wild game was abundant and deer could 
be seen grazing in every direction. Our subject 
was exceedingly fond of hunting and his meat 
house was never without venison. His first home 
was a log house, and he gave his attention to farm- 
ing. In 1849, he joined the army of gold-seekers 
for California and spent a memorable five months 
on the way out. During that trip he killed many 
deer and buffalo. After spending seventeen 
months in mining, he returned home by the water 
way. While in California his prowess as a hunter 
was worth more to him than the gold he found. 
Venison sold for forty cents a pound and lie 
cleared $100 per day by supplying this to the 
miners. 

Again, in 1851, Judge Slircw.sbury look a drove 
of cattle to California for the linn of Reeves <fe 



306 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPmCAL RECORD. 



Watkins, of Richmond, Mo., he himself having 
some interest in tlie firm. The drove comprised 
three hundred and seventy-five head, beside sev- 
enteen head of mules and horses. Successful in his 
journey, he sold his interest and returned home in 
thirteen months. He then settled down to farm- 
ing and has ever since been so employed. 

Tiie original of this sketch has been married 
twice. His first marriage, which took place in 
1840, was to Mary Jlorris, who died March 16, 
1867. All but one of the children of whom she 
was the mother also died. He was again married, 
October 16, 1872, to Elizabeth A. Ralston, who was 
a native of Hart Count}', Ky., and came to Mis- 
souri with her mother. The}^ are the parents of 
two children, Aden L. and Fannie Belle. Judge 
Shrewsbury was reared a Whig and is now a stanch 
Democrat. He has been Justice of the Peace for 
twenty-seven years, and from 1872 to 1874 served 
as County Judge. Before the war he was a large 
land-owner and also owned seven valuable slaves. 
In 1840 he joined the Texas Rangers for the pur- 
pose of subduing the Indians and Mexicans. He 
was under the command of Cols. Snively and 
Chandler and served in seven hard-fought battles. 
For four months he saw hard service. With only 
one hundred and sixtj'-five men in the regiment, 
they met on one occasion ten thousand Indians, 
the engagement lasting from twelve o'clock until 
after dark. On another occasion tiiey repelled a 
body of eight thousand Indians. It is a commen- 
tary upon the extraordinary endurance of the man 
that for four months he lived on meat alone. 



[■■{••{•♦'^^'•i-***? 



^OIIN C. AVILKKRSON, an energetic and 
successful agriculturist, now residing upon 
his fine homestead located in township 52, 
range .32, Clay County, Mo., devotes most 
of his time to general farming, but is also known 
as a stock-raiser, profitably handling an excellent 
variety of graded stock. Mr. AVilkerson is a na- 
tive t)f the Slate and was born in Platte County 
in 1845, and during his entire lifetime has been 



associated with the growth and progress of Mis- 
souri. Our subject is the son of Thomas J. and 
Margaret C. (Young) Wilkerson. The Wilk- 
ersons are remotely of English birth, the paternal 
great-grandfather having been a subject of the 
Queen, but later was an ofHcer in the Revolution- 
ary War, fighting for American independence. 
Grandfather John Wilkerson was a native of Ken- 
tucky, where he followed the occupation of a 
farmer and distiller. He ran one of the first dis- 
tilleries in Clay Count}-, and also ojierated the 
first carding-machiue ever brought to this part of 
the country. He was an energetic and enterpris- 
ing man and is vvell remembered by the earl}- 
settlers. 

The father of our subject and his good wife were 
both natives of Kentucky, the husband having 
been born in the year 1817 and the wife in 
1818. Thomas Wilkerson came to Missouri with 
his parents in 1822, and in this latter State re- 
ceived his early education and training. He re- 
mained at home until he had attained his major- 
ity, when he went to Platte County and entered 
land. In 1849 he crossed the plains to California 
in company with a large party, and made the long 
journey by ox-team. Mining four years in the 
Golden .State, he gained financially but injured his 
health, and returning by the Cape was nearly 
shipwrecked in a violent storm. Thomas Wilker- 
son survived his return home but a short time, 
and died m 1857. The mother of our subject died 
when he was but two years old, and left four sons, 
Benjamin F., William Y., Thomas J. and John C. 
She had passed away in 1847, and previous to his 
departure for California the father had married 
Miss Dodson, who became the mother of two sons 
and one daughter: Henry D., George W., and 
Mary C, wife of James Masoner. 

The family remained for one year together upon 
the homestead of four hundred acres left by the 
father, and at the end of the twelve months our 
i subject was taken by his aunt, Mrs. James H. Dale, 
I with whom he resided until he was eighteen years 
I of age. John C. Wilkerson then began life for 
himself, working upon a farm in summer and at- 
tending school in winter. He completed his studies 
I in Mt. Gilead, Clay County, Mo. After his mar- 




"^a^, 6^,//ncA.^t^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



309 



liiige with Miss Lucy A. Vance, daughter of Willis 
L. and Loiivisa 1). Vance, our subject rented a 
farm, which lie industriously cultivated for three 
years, at tiie expiration of which time he bought 
two hundred acres of his present valuable farm. 
The only cliild who has come into the pleasant and 
liappy home is a son named in honor of his 
paternal grandfather, Thomas J., who was born No- 
vember 20, 1868. He is a graduate of the State 
University at Columbia, Mo., graduating in June, 
181*0, and as a competent and reliable civil engi- 
neer enjoj^s an excellent position with the St. 
Joseph Bridge and Iron Company, and is now lo- 
cated at Pueblo, Colo. Thomas J. Wilkersou is a 
young man of undoubted ability and high integ- 
ritj- of character, and enjoys the confidence of a 
host of friends. Politically, our subject is a Dem- 
ocrat and actively interested in the affairs of the 
day. Both he and his wife are liberal givers in 
behalf of worthy enterprise, social and religious, 
and are numbered among the substantial and in- 
fluential residents of the county. 



— {- 



=^^>^^<i 



il/_^ ox. WILLIAxM BELL MORRIS, President 

C)l* of the Kearney Commercial Bank, was born 
If) 
y at May's Lick, Mason County, Ky., Decem- 
Ks^ ber 12, 1822. His father, James Morris, 
was a native of New Jersey, but removed to Ken- 
tuckj' when a youth. The paternal grandfather 
was born in Scotland, whence he emigrated to the 
United States and fettled in Virginia. Later he 
removed to Kentuckj- and in that beautiful State 
passed his last years. 

A prominent man in public affairs, .lames Mor- 
ris for many \'ears served his fellow-citizens as 
County Judge, Sheriff and Magistrate, and still 
later was the choice of the people for several terms 
in the Legislature of the State. In his Kentuckj' 
home he also engaged in farming, and when he 
changed his location to Clay County, in 1850, he 
purchased a farm, and upon it he died when in his 
eighty-second year. A Whig as long as the party 
lasted, he then became a Democrat, and at his 



death, June 17, 1861, was one of the most promi- 
nent members of his party in his section. During 
the AVar of 1812 he served as a soldier. He wrote 
the deeds and legal documents for his neighbor- 
hood and was freely' consulted upon all legal (jues- 
tions, his decisions Vieing marked by shrewd 
discernment and excellent judgment. For thirty 
years he was an Elder in the Christian Church 
and lived the life of a good man. When young 
he was very slight in build, but later in life he 
weighed two hundred and fifty pounds. 

The mother of our subject was a native of Vir- 
ginia and removed to Kentucky when young. She 
bore the maiden name of Nancy Bell, and was the 
honored mother of thirteen children, twelve of 
whom grew to maturity. Mary became the wife 
of Rev. A. II. Payne, who organized the first 
Christian Church in this county, and was promi- 
nent in establishing the church here. The next 
daughter, Ellen, never married, but died at the 
age of fifty years. The next in order of birth was 
James M. Eliza became Mrs. McGinn is, and died 
when seventy-eight years old. Helen married 
Emmons Johnson, and died here in 1884. Charitj' 
became the wife of Joseph V. Burgess, and resides 
in this city. Ann was the wife of the late Alfred 
Rile}-, a prominent citizen and earl}' settler of this 
community; she still resides in Kearney. Lydia 
became the wife of AVilliara P. Hiley, and both died 
here. William B. is the subject of this sketch. 
John is an insurance agent in Liberty. David is 
deceased. George died in the Confederate arm}-. 
One child died during infancy. The mother 
passed away November 12, 1875. She was a good 
and pious woman and a member of the Christian 
Church. Her father, Daniel Bell, was a native of 
Virginia and served through the Revolutionary 
War in AVashington's arraj-. He removed from 
the Old Dominion to Kentucky, and died when 
more than ninety years old. 

Our subject was the ninth child in the family 
and was reared upon the home farm in Kentucky. 
In the district sciiools he gained the rudiments of 
an education and at the age of seventeen was 
given the advantages of a course at Bacon Col- 
lege, located in Georgetown. Scott County, K}-., 
where he spent two terms. At that early age he 



310 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD. 



gave promise of the brilliant man he was destined 
to become in the future. When twenty years of 
.age he came AVest on a visit and was so pleased 
witii tlie aspect of the country' that he decided to 
locate here. In 1842 he started on the journey, 
taking the only route possible, by steamboat down 
the beautiful Ohio, whose scenery is as lovely as 
that of more noted streams, and then up the Miss- 
issippi and Missouri Rivers. The water was very 
low and the journey was slow. When the boat 
got fast on the sand bars our subject would go.tofif 
and hunt pawpaws and then overtake the steam- 
boat at the next bar. It was a tedious and sleepy 
journej", but just such an one as the weary sight- 
seer of the present day would enjoy. 

Our subject was not embarrassed with an over- 
l)lus of wealth when he landed in Kearney-, as his 
capital was represented by $21.10 and this amount 
W!is soon invested in a horse. On land secured in 
Liberty Township, Mr. Morris embarked in agri- 
cultural pursuits. The country at that time was 
but sparsely settled and for the sportsman 
it was a paradise. Deer and wild turkeys 
abounded and some fell under the ritlc of Mr. 
Morris. He cultivated his land, which was located 
on the northern line of the township, and through 
unwearied toil on his part it was made into one of 
the finest farms in the county. The place con- 
tained four hundred and nine acres, and upon it 
Mr. Morris raised many fine cattle, especially 
Shorthorns. 

Upon his farm Mr. Morris resided until the de- 
mands made upon him in a public way influenced 
him to locale in a more accessible j^art of the 
county. In 1888 he sold the farm and moved to 
Liberty, where he remained one year, and then 
came to Kearney. In 1888 he was one of the or- 
ganizers of the Kearney Commercial Bank and was 
made its President. This is a Stale institution 
with $10,000 capital and is doing a fine business. 
Mr. Morris is one of the largest stockholders, and 
loans large sums of money. He inherited from 
his father a judicial turn of uiind and this has 
been recognized by his fellow-citizens, who elected 
him County .Judge in the fall of 1876. After 
having served for four years he w.as re-elected in 
1880 for another term of four years. He was 



never absent but one day from the Bench in eight 
years, and that was caused by sickness. During 
his administration the bonded debt was reduced 
$100,000, and he also decreased the rate of taxa- 
tion. He has served as delegate to the State con- 
ventions. At present he is serving his second 
term as Notary Public and writes deeds, mortga- 
ges and wills. 

The Democratic party claims the allegiance of 
our subject and in it he is a man of might. His 
religious convictions have made him a member of 
the Christian Church, in which he is highly re- 
garded. Mr. Morris chose Miss Mattie Wason to 
be his bride, and they were married April 4, 1878. 
She was born in Gallatin Township, Clay County, 
Mo., and was the daughter of James and Ann 
Wason, who were natives of Kentucky and early 
settlers of Clay County. They have no children. 
Mr. and Mrs. Morris have witnessed much of the 
growth of the county and have taken an active 
interest in its welfare. Mr. Morris has here a neat 
residence and four acres of land, with fruit and 
pasture for a cow. He is a man of strong convic- 
tions, a forcible and convincing speaker, and has 
faith in himself, a quality which in public life 
gains half the battle. 



VILLI AM H. SHANNON, an enterprising 
and highly successful agriculturist of Clay 
County, devotes himself with industrious 
energy to the cultivation of his valuable farm, lo- 
cated upon section 19, township 53, range 32, and 
raises some of the finest crops in this jiart of the 
country. Our subject is a son of Louis S. and 
Elizabeth Shannon, both natives of Fr.anklin 
County, Kj'. The paternal grandparents were 
Rev. Samuel and Mary E. (Henuing) Shannon. 

Grandfather Shannon was born in Ireland, wiiere 
he received a superior education and prepared for 
the Presbyterian ministry. His wife, a native of 
England, also enjoyed exceptional advantages for 
an excellent education. After emisirating to 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



311 



America, they met and formed a mutual attacli- 
mcnt and were married in a small village located 
upon the Itauks of the James River in Virginia. 
Almost immediately following tlioir marriage, the 
newly wedded husband and wife made their home 
in Woodford Country, Ky., and were among the 
first white families to settle in this part of the 
State. They lived a number of years in Brant 
Station in the block-house or fort, where they were 
obliged to seek protection from hostile Indians, who 
roamed across the State in large numbers. 

During the many j'ears of his eventful career, 
(irandfather Shannon led a bus}' and useful life. 
His time was devoted mainly to preaching the 
Gospel and leaching school. With his own mone}^ 
and largely with his own handiwork, he erected the 
old stone church on Shannon Creek, which endured 
as his monument long after he had rested from 
earthly labor. At one time tliis reverend pioneer 
had charge of a boarding-school for boys, widely 
known .as the Shannon Seminary. This excellent 
academy was one of the first of its kind estab- 
lished in Kentucky and had more than local repu- 
tation. Rev. Samuel Shannon was also Chaplain 
of regiments engaging in the Blackhawk AVar and 
the War of 1812, and was under Col. Dick John- 
son. The latter years of his life were spent in 
Franklin County, where he bought a small farm. 
He died in 1822 at the age of seventy-three 3'ears; 
his wife survived him twenty years, living to 
reach four-score years and ten. Elizabeth Shan- 
non, the mother of our subject, was a daughter of 
.lacob and Elizabeth (Hiter) Ellison. Her parents 
were natives of England and France, respectively, 
and her father served with distinction as Colonel 
in the Blackhawk War and the W^ar of 1812. being 
present when Gen. Johnson killed Tecumseh. The 
maternal grandfather of our subject was a farmer 
and lived and died in Kentucky-, llis wife died 
in Missouri at a good old age. 

Louis S. Shannon received a good education in 
his fatlier's school, and was the youngest of the 
five children: Thomas, Samuel, Ellen, Mary and 
Louis S. He remained at home with his parents 
until their deatli, and came into possession of the 
old family homestead, containing one hundred and 
eigliteen acres, bequeathed him b}' his fatlier. lie 



was twenty-one years of age when he married, and 
his wife was nineteen. They reared a family of 
ten children: William H., our subject; Jacob E., 
Samuel S. and Martha A., all three deceased; Mary 
and Ellen (twins); Sarah E., who died young; 
Louisa, Sally and Phosbe. The parents were mem- 
bers of the Missionary Baptist Church, and politi- 
call\% Louis Shannon was a Whig. In 1858 lie 
emigrated with bis family to Clinton County, 
bought land there and died in 1860. His wife 
survived him five years. 

At seventeen years of age William U. Shannon 
began to pi'epare for the work of life by appren- 
ticing himself to a cabinet-maker, and devoted two 
years to learning the trade. Locating in Rich- 
mond in 1840, he followed his trade for twelve 
years, meantime marrying Miss Amanda White, a 
native of Scott County, Ky. His wife having 
died, he returned to his old home in Kentuck}' 
and there lived for ten years. Upon January 22, 
1852, our subject was united in marriage with Miss 
Mary C, daughter of Anthon}- and Sarah (Will- 
iams) Thompson, of Kentucky. Mrs. Thompson is 
yet living, and a very active lady for her eighty 
years. 

The pleasant home of Mi', and Mrs. Shannon has 
been blessed by tlie birth of five children: Thomp- 
son J.; William E.; Laura M., wife of Isaac Wil- 
son; James H., who died at the age of nine j'ears; 
and Oliver. Our subject came the second time to 
Missouri in 1857, and locating on a farm in Clin- 
ton County remained sis years, then removed to 
Claj' Countj^, where he bought eighty acres of 
mostly wild land, and now owns one hundred and 
ten acres, all highly improved. A progressive and 
intelligent agriculturist, he gives more than ordi- 
nary attention to the cultivation of his land, which 
yields hiin an unusually abundant harvest, the 
corn crop this past year averaging one iiundred 
bushels to the acre. 

Since 1840. our subject has been a member of 
the Christian Church, and for thirty-five years an 
honored oflScer of that religious organization. His 
good wife is also a member of the same church 
and active in social and benevolent enterprise. 
Politically, Mr. Shannon has been a strong Demo- 
crat since the Whig partly ce.ased to exist, and fra- 



312 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ternall^', lie has been connected since he was 
twenty-one years old with the Masonic order, and 
in all these years has, in this ancient society and 
in the church, commanded the respect of all who 
know him. But once has he ever held a public 
position, and that was in Kentuck3', where he 
otliciated as Justice of the Peace, and most ably 
discharged the duties of the office. Practically a 
self-made man, our subject has by observation, 
reading .and experience, gained a liberal education, 
and is in the enjoyment of f.ir more extended 
knowledge than man3' a man whose opportunities 
in early life were far beyond Ills. 



"if AMES W. HARRI.SON. After trying for- 
tune in mining and manufacturing, our 
subject now gives his attention to his farm 
proi)erty, the farm being the place of his 
birlii and of his boyhood days. He lives at Rich- 
mond, Mo., and was born March 27, 1834, in Co- 
lumbus, Boone County, Mo. James W. Harrison 
was tlie youngest of the five children of George 
and Malinda (Lynes) Harrison, the father being a 
native of Virginia, and the mother of Kentuck3-. 
George Harrison removed from Kentucky to Boone 
County, Mo., in 1818, and as he had been reared 
to farming pursuits settled upon a farm. He was 
a sturdy, reliable pioneer and one of the first set- 
tlers there. lie lived to a ripe old .age, his demise 
having occurred in 1889. His wife died Novem- 
ber 11, 1892, being then in her ninetieth year. 

Our subject passed liis childhood and youth in 
Boone County, where he attended school until he 
was sixteen j'ears old, when lie went to California 
and was engaged there for seven years in gold- 
mining and in running a ranch. Keturning to 
Missouri, he conducted a saddlery and harness bus- 
iness for two years, after which, in 18()1, he en- 
gaged in the saddle and harness trade for eighteen 
years, during which time he manufactured all 
kinds of harness. Disposing, finally, of this busi- 
ness, he began farming his fort^'-eiglit acres near 
the city, and another farm of ninety acres sit- 



uated one mile north of Richmond, the land being 
well improved and adapted to any kind of farm- 
ing. His care has been given mainly to tlie rais- 
ing of stock, mostl}' high-grade cattle. 

Our subject was married in 1859 to Miss Maria 
L. Foushee, of Polk County', Mo., who was 
born and reared in that county. She was the 
daughter of William and Narcissa Foushee, of 
French descent. Three children have been born 
to Mr. .and Mrs. Harrison, namely: Auston, who 
died March 29, 1874; Emmette, a farmer of this 
county; and Bettie E., wife of George W; McClure, 
and the mother of one child, Ruth S. Mr. Harri- 
son is a member of Richmond Lodge No. 208, 
I. O. O. F. His political opinions are unwavering, 
having always been in accord with the platforms 
of the Democratic party. ,Mr. Harrison is a good 
neighbor and friend, interfering with none, but 
believing in the maxim of live and let live. 



^fi M. SANDALS. Our subject is happy in the 
selection of a home in the midst of a fertile 
^,^1 ; tract that yields freely every season for the 
^^^J supplying of creature comforts. His farm 
is located on section 30, township 54, range 28, at 
Sandals post-office, Ray County, Mo., and has good 
improvements and is well cultivated. lie was 
born in Stark Count^^Ohio, December 3, 1847, the 
son of George Sandals, a farmer and stock-grower 
of Stark Count\', who continues to reside there. 
The father married Miss Catharine Williams, who 
bore him eight children, seven of whom are living. 

Our subject w.as educated in the public schools 
of the county named, and subsequently took a 
course in the High School. After leaving school, 
he worked for the railroad for about thirteen 
months, then learned the trade of a carpenter, al 
which he worked a year and a-half,when he returned 
to the railroad work; after thirteen months he went 
to Canton, Ohio, and worked at his trade until the 
following spring, 1870, when he came to Caldwell 
Count}', Mo., and remained a few months and 
then settled in Ray County. \i tins place he 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



313 



woiked al liis trade a short time, and then started 
a sawmill, wliicli he ran for seven ycfirs, wlien he 
sold out and settled at his present place, where he 
started the sawmill which he now conducts. 

In 1882, he started the mercantile business he 
has since managed. Beginning in .lune, he built 
a new store and in 1888 rebuilt, and that large 
structure now stands. He owns thirty-eight acres 
of land, upon which he conducts a stock farm 
where he has some very superior animals, of which 
he may well be proud. Mr. Sandals was married, 
in 1873, to Miss Samantha Ellen, daughter of 
Edward Teagarden, an early settler whose sketch 
may be found in another part of this book. She 
has borne him six children, namely: Florence, wife 
of Thomas Linville, a farmer living three miles 
south of Polo; Edward, Effle and James M., living 
at home; and Leona and Lenora (twins) at home. 

C)ur subject is a member of the Christian Church. 
Politically, he is a Republican and a man of con- 
siderable influence in that party, and one whose 
exertions are never without effect. In 1888, he 
was appointed Postmaster at Sandals, a position 
he still holds, filling it to the general satisfaction. 
The large and handsome residence he occupies was 
built by him in 1880, and is a very handsome, as 
well as comfortable, building. Mr. Sandals is widely- 
known for his enterprise and excellent character, 
and the business he conducts is a large one, as a 
result of the general satisfaction with him and his 
methods. 



■^^ 



'^ 



IP^.UFUS M. MAJORS, a successful agricultur- 
bJif ist and prominent citizen of Washington 
i*i \\\ Township, C'lay County, Mo., was born 
^^ up(m the homestead where he now re- 
sides in the year 1841. Spending his busy life 
amid the scenes of his childhood, he has brought 
the fine farm located in township 53, range 30, 
section 15, up to a high state of cultivation, and 
is widely known throughout the county as a man 
of sterling integrity and honor. The paternal 
grandfather of our subject, Jolm Majors, w.ns a 



soldier in the Revolutionary War and served his 
country faithfully for three years. He was a 
brave, resolute man, and bequeathed to his descen- 
dants the patriotism and love of liberty which 
distinguished his career. 

Tlie father of our subject was Elisha Majors, 
who was born in Burke Countj', N. C, in 1804, 
and when a little lad of eight years removed to 
Tennessee with his father, John Majors. He after- 
ward made his home in Wayne Count}', Kj'., and 
finally located with his wife and family in Mis- 
souri, iiiakmg this latter State his permanent resi- 
dence in 1837. Some fourteen years prior to his 
arrival in Missouri, Elisha Majors had, in 1823, 
married Miss Catherine Iluffaker, who became the 
mother of eight children. The sons and daugh- 
ters who clustered around the famil}- hearth were 
Michael, Louisa, John, Granville, Elizabeth, Ferry, 
Rufus (our subject), and Marelda Catherine, who 
died in infancy. Elisha Majors bought and sold 
land at various times, and owned for many 3'ears 
three hundred and twenty acres of valuable farm- 
ing property, which he prosperously devoted to 
agricultural purposes, and aside from tilling the 
soil was a successful stock-raiser. He and his good 
wife passed peacefully away in 1878 and 1876, rc- 
spectivel}', leaving behind them the memory of 
well-spent, useful lives. The old homestead, which 
had been entered from the Government when the 
surrounding country was little more than a wilder- 
ness, j'Ct remains in the family, and is mostly in 
the possession of our subject. 

Rufus Major received an education in the prim- 
itive schools of his home neighborhood, and early 
shared in the labors of the farm. His entire life 
has been given to agricultural pursuits, with the 
exception of a brief period during the war, when, 
in 1864, he drove a Government train across the 
plains. Mr. Majors owns two hundred and ninety- 
one acres of excellent land, all under a high state 
of cultivation. In 1880, he was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Sarah M. Wilhoitc, a daughter of 
Thomas and Mourning (Benton)Wilhoite, and one 
of a family of seven children, two of whom died 
in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Majovs are both valued 
members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and 
are anu>n<j the active workers in that dcnomina- 



314 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tion. Our subject is also connected with the fra- 
ternal societ^^, F. ife L. U., and for two terms has 
held the position of lecturer in the lodge. 

Mr. Majors is politically a Democrat, and while 
never an active politician ever takes a deep inter- 
est in both local and national affairs. For over 
half a century a constant resident in his present 
locality, our subject has been an e^'e-witness of the 
wonderful changes in his native State, and has al- 
ways aided in the material improvements and en- 
terprises of his neighborhood and vicinity. Ener- 
getic and self-reliant, he has won his way, and, an 
earnest Christian man, faithful friend and kind 
neighbor, holds the esteem and confidence of all 
who know him. 




/ ♦^ 



;\.RTIN J. AKER, an energetic and suc- 
cessful general agriculturist and stock- 
raiser of Clay County, and widely known 
throughout tliis portion of Missouri as 
one of the progressive and early pioneers, has for 
fifty-three years constantly' resided upon his home- 
stead located on section 11, township 53, range 33. 
An earnest, intelligent citizen, actively interested 
in the rajjid development of the State and county, 
he has been associated with the advancement of 
local improvements, and is a ready aid in social, 
benevolent and religious enterj^riso. 

Our subject was lx>rn in Bourbon County, Ky., 
January 22, 1814, and is the son of John and Maiy 
(Sidener) Aker. John Aker was a man of native 
ability, and although he had on I3' three months' 
schooling im|)roved iiimself by an extended course 
of excellent reading and became thoroughly versed 
in ancient and modern history and well posted 
in tlie current events of the day. Born in Penn- 
sylvania, he migrated with his parents to Ken- 
tucky, and for a number of years resided in an 
old fort, where the settlers sought protection from 
the Indians, and later, fitting himself for the work 
of life, learned tlie trade of a brick-mason. 

In I1HI2 the father and mother of our subject 



were united in marriage, and in 1828 journe^-ed 
b^' wagon with their family and household effects 
to Missouri. The family located upon a piece of 
wild land in Clay County, within a few miles of 
the present homestead of Martin J. Aker. From 
this time the father devoted himself exclusively to 
gener.al farming and stock-raising, and accumu- 
lated about five hundred acres of land. He died 
in 1835, leaving a widow and ten surviving chil- 
dren, two little ones having preceded him to abet- 
ter land. The sons and daughters who arrived 
at mature age were Willis, deceased; Martin J., 
our subject; Jacob, deceased; Julia A., wife of 
John Baber; Charlotte, deceased, wife of Robert 
McMillin; Preston; Rosanna, wife of Adolphus 
Bainbridge; Susan, Mrs. Edwin Fry, deceased; 
Mary J., wife of Darius Bainbridge; and John, de- 
ceased. The mother of this family was born in 
Mainland in 1793, and when but eighteen months 
old was taken to Tennessee by her parents. Be- 
fore the beginning of the present century she re- 
moved with her father and mother to Kentuckj', 
and the Indians liaving massacred some of the 
neighbors, they were obliged to live for some time 
in the old block-house or fort, which offered them 
refuge from the savages. She was a devout mem- 
ber of the Christian Church, and lived to reach the 
good old age of eiglitj'-eight years. 

The maternal grandparents of our subject were 
Martin and Margaret (Eddleton) Sidener, natives 
of C4ermany, who emigrated to America, and lo- 
cating in Maryland were there married. Grand- 
father Sidener was frequently obliged to take an 
active part in the Indian warfare in Kentucky and 
Tennessee. The paternal grandparents, Joseph 
and Julia A. Aker, were also born in Germany. 
Married in the Fatherland, they early made their 
home in the United States and were both members 
of the Dutch Reformed Church. Grandfather 
Aker reached the extreme old age of ninet^'-six 
years and then died very suddenly' from the ''black 
plague." One of his daughters, now over eighty 
3'ears of age, still survives. 

Martin J. Aker received a common-school edu- 
cation in the district schools of Kentucky and Clay 
County, Mo. He worked for his parents until 
twenty-one years old and then beg.an for himself by 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



315 



fanning upon a portion of the family homestead. 
He was married in 1838 to Jliss Anna, a daugliter 
of Lee and Susan (Penn) Rollins. At the time of 
liis marriage he bought one hundred and forty 
acres of his |)resent farm and has lived here for 
over lialf a century. An energetic, industrious 
and intelligent agriculturist, he has successfully 
engaged in farming and stock-raising, and possess- 
ing a large acquaintance within Clay and adjoin- 
ing counties, enjoys the regard of a host of friends. 
He has accumulated three hundred and twentj- 
acres of land and has an interest in the Farmers' 
Bank at Smithville. Politically, he was a Whig 
before the war and is now an earnest advocate of 
the Democratic party. 

Unto Mr. Aker and his excellent wife were 
born twelve children, two of whom died in in- 
fancy, and three who reached mature age have 
since passed away. The latter were Virginia, 
William D., and Julia, the wife of J. Hall. The 
surviving sons and daughters are: John; Susan, 
wife of Albert (r. McKnight; Rosauna, wife of 
James R. Scott; Lee R.; Emma, wife of Dr. W. H. 
Louis; Anna, wife of Henry E. Woods; and Pres- 
ton, Cashier of the Farmers' Bank at Smithville. 
Lee Rollins, the father of Mrs. Aker, was born in 
Bourbon County, K.y., February 12, 1801, and his 
wife, who was also a native of the same county, 
was born in 1804. He was a farmer by occupa- 
tion and in 1830 came to Clay Count}-, where he 
resided until his death. He was a son of Joshua 
and Sophia (Kennedy) Rollins, natives of Virginia 
and early settlers of Kentucky. Sophia Kennedy 
was a daughter of John and Esther (Stille) Ken- 
nedy, old families of Virginia and Pennsylvania. 
While serving bravely in the Revolutionary War, 
John Kennedy was taken prisoner with a neighbor 
and died a short time afterward. His body was 
buried by the British in the sand on the sea shore, 
.and his friend was not allowed to participate in his 
burial. His widow, traveling upon horseback, 
journeyed with her children to Kentucky. The 
mother of Mrs. Aker was a daughter of Joseph and 
Charlotte (Aker) Penn, all natives of Pennsylva- 
nia and descendants of the noted William Penn, 
and who emigrated to Kentucky before the Revolu- 
tionarv War. Intimiiteiv associated with tlie liis- 



tory of our country, through the fidelity, courage 
and patriotism of his ancestors, our subject is 
himself a true, public-spirited American citizen 
and a worthy descendant of his energetic and self- 
reliant forefathers. 



/^ EGRGE T. STEVF:NS0N. As a conspicuous 
II (= example of success in business pursuits in 

'^^ Vibbard, the mercantile and hardware es- 
tablishment owned and managed by Mr. Steven- 
son presents a notable instance. Although it has 
been under the supervision of the present owner 
but a comparatively short time, a radical change 
has been made in its management and its volume 
of business has rapidly and steadily expanded. In 
this store may be found every variety of farm im- 
plements, stoves and tinware, and when we take 
into consideration the size of Vibbard, the success 
of Mr. Stevenson is especially worthy of mention. 
The son of W. A. and Allic Stevenson, our sub- 
ject was born in Sparta, Randolph Count}-, 111., 
in 1861. His earl}' education was received in' the 
village of Sparta, where his father was engaged in 
business as a carriage-maker. At the age of thir- 
teen, he removed to Weldon, l)e Witt County, 111. 
where he grew to manhood. On starting out for 
himself he engaged in faj-ming pursuits and con- 
tinued thus occupied until 1890, when he removed 
to Lawson, Mo., and there embarked in business as 
a hardware merchant. His superior business abili- 
ties soon manifested tliemselves, and his sound 
judgment found abundant opportunity for its ex- 
ercise. He continued in charge of the store at 
Lawson until January 1, 1892, when he came to 
Vibbard and purchased the establishment formerlv 
owned and conducted by H. II. Madden. Every- 
thing points to success in his chosen occupation, 
and his trade is large both in the village and 
throughout the surrounding country. 

Mr. Stevenson is well known for his zealous ad- 
vocacy of all measures to promote the growth and 
development of the industries and material inter- 
ests of \'ihbard. llis political lielief brings him into 



316 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



affiliation witli the Republican party, the principles 
of which he faithfully supports. His membership 
is now witii the Presbyterian Church at Lawson, 
and he carries his religious belief into his daily 
life, exemplifying by probity, integrity and lionor, 
his fidelity to tlie doctrines of the church. 



e^+^P=— = 



'\f|EWELL P. ROOKRS, the junior and active 
membei- of the firm of Ellis d' Kogers, deal- 
ers in groceries and gent's furnishing goods 
at Lawson, is one of the most prominent 
young business men of Ray County. He is a na- 
tive of Missouri, having been born in Boone 
County, January 27, 1868, and is the son of the 
Rev. G. AV. and Fannie L. Rogers, natives of Mis- 
souri and Kentuck3^ respectively. His father, who 
is a minister in the Baptist GHiurch, is considered 
one of the mo&t eloquent divines and popular pas- 
tors in that denomination. 

When seven years old, our subject accom[)anied 
his parents to Texas, and for four years made his 
home in Dallas, where his father had accepted a 
pastorate. Thence he went to Austin, the same 
State, where he remained four 3'ears, and from that 
cit3' removed to Sherman, Tex., where he resided 
for eight years. His father is still remembered in 
those cities as one of the most honorable of men 
and especially devoted to the welfare of his parish- 
ioners. ITpon leaving Texas, he had charge of a 
church at Excelsior Springs, Mo., for some time, 
and now resides in Kansas City, Mo. 

In these various removals, our subject accom- 
panied his father, and thus had the advantages of 
travel and association with the best people of 
man}- places. His schooling was principally gained 
in Texas and was of a practical nature, which 
fitted him for a business career. A short time 
after locating at Excelsior Springs, Mo., he re- 
turned to Sherman, Tex., where he remained one 
and one-half years. Thence he went to Kansas 
City and entered the employ of the firm of Bul- 
lene, Moore, Emery & Co., tlie most influential and 
successful nuMvhants of the city. After clerking 



for them for about eighteen months he came to 
Lawson, where he formed his present partnership 
with Mr. Ellis. 

The firm of Ellis & Rogers h.as a reputation for 
enterprise and fair-dealing which is not limited to 
the village of Lawson, nor indeed to Ray County. 
Tliey have a large trade, extending throughout 
the surrounding country, and keep in stock a full 
line of groceries and produce. In addition to 
this, Ihey are making a specialty of gent's furnish- 
ing goods and have in stock the latest styles in 
those lines. In his political opinions, Mr. Rogers 
is a pronounced Democrat and uses his influence 
in behalf of the candidates and principles of that 
party. He is a member of the Baptist Church and 
active in its support. Although a young man, he 
has liad considerable experience in "roughing it" 
in the Western States, and in former years was ac- 
customed to drive cattle across the Indian Terri- 
tory. In his travels, which have extended over a 
wide range of country, he has gained considerable 
knowledge of the people and is a man of broad in- 
formation upon all general subjects. 



^ OSEPH M. HEATHMAN, an energetic, en- 
terprising and successful agriculturist of 
Clay County, Mo., is also a popular Justice 
of the Peace and a well-known Notary Puli- 
lie. Our subject was born in Bourbon County-, 
Kv., in 1840, and was the son of Elias and Patsy 
(Riggs) Ileathman. Elias Ileathman was also a 
native of Bourbon County and was born in 1809. 
His good wife was a native of Nicholas County, 
Ky., and a daughter of Erasmus and Eleanor 
(Wilcoxen) Riggs, natives of Maryland but pio- 
neer settlers of Kentucky. The father of Joseph 
M. was educated in the common schools of his na- 
tive State. His father died when he was a child, 
and his mother married William Gaines. When 
about twentj'-one years old Elias Ileathman began 
life for himself, devoting his efforts to the culti- 
vation of the soil. While yet a very young man 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



317 



he man-ied, aiifl unto him and his estimable wife 
were horn eiglit children, three of whom died 
young. The live brothers and sisters who sur- 
vived the perils of infancy' were: George, who 
went West in 18r)8 and was never heard of after- 
ward; Eleanor, wife of John Kollins; William, 
deceased; Joseph, our subject; and Mahala, widow 
of Laban Beacraft. 

Elias Ileathman left Kentucky about 1846, and 
after having located in Illinois buried his wife at 
Jacksonville. Returning to Kentucky-, he married 
the sister of his first wife, Miss Maiia Biggs. By 
his second union, he became the father of four 
children: Jilargaret, deceased, the wife of Isaac 
Ileathman; Keturah, wife of Thomas Phillip; John 
M., residing in Oregon; and Walter, deceased. It 
was in 1854 that Father Heathman came with his 
family to Missouri, and locating in Monroe County 
purchased two hundred acres of land but never 
moved onto the farm, as he was taken sick and 
died in the fall of the year 1857. Both the father 
and mother of our subject were members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church and active in the 
good works of that religious organization. The 
father was a member of the Ancient Free & Ac- 
cepted Masons, of the Roj^al Arch degree, and was 
among the prominent Masons present at the fun- 
eral of Henry Clay. Politically, Mr. Elias Heath- 
man was early in life an ardent Whig, but later 
identified himself with the society of Know-noth- 
ings. He was an influential and leading citizen 
and possessed a host of old-time friends. 

Immediately following the death of his father, 
Joseph M. Heathman, then seventeen years of age, 
i)egan to make his upward way in the world. He 
had received a common-school education, and for 
the succeeding eight 3'ears devoted himself to 
working for other people, sometimes upon a farm 
and sometimes clerking in the stores of Sniithville 
and Gosne^'ville, Clay County, Mo., and he also 
taught school one term. He arrived in this por- 
tion of the State in 1859, and in 1864 was 
united in marriage with Miss Sophia Rollins, 
daughter of Lee and Susan (Penn) Rollins. In 
1863, he crossed the plains to Colorado but was 
not gone quite a jear, and in 1865 removed to 
Illinois. In IMfU! he returned to Missouri and in 



1867 bought a farm in Clinton County, but the 
same year sold out his interest there and came 
back to Clay County. Mr. Heathman now bought 
land adjoining his present farm and lived upon 
it nineteen years and then disposed of a portion of 
the land and purchased his present homestead. 
He now owns ninet3' acres, mostly under a high 
state of improvement, although when he took this 
farm but three acres of land were broken. The 
commodious residence, barns and outbuildings 
were erected by our subject, who is a thrifty and 
prudent manager. 

In 1861, Mr. Heathman joined the Missouri 
State Guards under Gen. Price, and serving faith- 
fully from the call of Gov. Jackson to his surren- 
der to Gen. Rosecrans in April, 1862, fought at 
Pea Ridge and engaged in numerous skirmishes. 
After his return home he attended school for a 
time and two years later married. The home of 
Mr. and IMrs. Heathman was brightened by the 
birth of seven children, the four eldest of whom 
are established in homes of their own. Lillian is 
the wife of John T. Brooks; Lulu L. is Mrs. George 
B. Breckenridge; Elias P. married Miss Ora-King; 
Anna R. is the wife of John R. Purdy. America, 
Martin J. and Charles F. are with their parents. 
Mr. Heathman has held his position as Justi(;e of 
the Peace six j-ears, giving universal satisfaction 
in the discharge of the duties intrusted to his care. 
Fraternally, he is a valued member of Lodge No. 
193, 1. O. O. F., at GosneyviUe. As a citizen and 
official of high honor and etficiency our subject 
is actively interested in local progress and im- 
provement and, an important factor in the ad- 
vancement of his locality, possesses the confidence 
and regard of his fellow-townsmen. 






yfclLLIAM N. LEITCH, a representative ag- 
' riculturist and successful stock-raiser, has 
been well known in Liberty Township, 
Clay Count}', Mo., for two-score years. Energetic, 
able and industrious, our subject has won his way 
ill life and is highlv cstoenied by all his friends 



318 



P0x4TRAlT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and neighbors. His excellent farm, alt under a 
high state of cultivation, is [)leasantly located 
upon section 7, township .V2, range 31, and is a 
source of profit, yielding annually an abundant 
harvest. William N. Leitcli is the son of James 
and Frances (Minor) Leitch, honest, intelligent 
and hard-working people and worthy and upright 
citizens. 

The Leitcii family were early residents of Vir- 
ginia, and in the Old Dominion the father of 
our subject was born in 1786. He owned four 
hundred acres of good land and was a successful 
general agriculturist and stock-raiser. A patriotic 
citizen, courageous, resolute and faithful to the 
Government, he fought bravely in the AVar of 
1812. Father Leitch was a AVhig, always inter- 
ested in the management of political affairs, and 
fully appreciated the necessity of having the offi- 
ces of State filled with men of sterling integrity 
of character. He and his wife were Missionary 
Baptists, and in all the relations of life evidenced 
the fact that they were true, earnest Christians, 
devoted to the betterment of their fellow-men. 

Our subject, William N. Leitch, was born in the 
year 1830. When a young man, he came to Mis- 
souri, in 1854, and located in Clay County. Hav- 
ing received a common-school education and being 
thoroughly drilled in all the duties of agriculture, 
he settled upon a farm and diligently employed 
himself in the cultivation of Missouri soil. He 
novv owns one hundred and seventy-one acres of 
excellent land and aside from general farming 
pursues stock-raising with success. At one time 
Mr. Leitch handled Clydesdale horses and owned 
some very fine, valuable stock. Our subject was 
united in marriage in 1874 with Miss Elizabeth D. 
Hudlemyer, an estimable lady of German descent. 
Mrs. Leitch is a native of Clay County, and was 
born in 1843. She enjoyed the advantages of a 
good common-school education and has proved a 
helpmate indeed. Her parents were the father and 
mother of five children, and were well known and 
highly respected residents of Clay Countj'. 

In political affiliations, Mr. Leitch is a Democrat 
and while not a politician or office-seeker is in- 
terested in local and national (Government and 
may ever be found upon the side of . Justice and 



reform. At one time when the state of the coun- 
try made it a necessity' for the citizens to protect 
themselves, their homes and property, he joined 
the vigilance committee and was one of the most 
energetic, determined and resolute defenders of 
the neighborhood. A true American citizen, ear- 
nest and progressive, our subject has been an im- 
portant factor in the advancement and encourage- 
ment of the best interests of the county and local- 
ity of his home, and among the old residents and 
neighbors of early days has a host of warm friends. 




i>'^^<^ 



j] LI.TAII HAPPY. Our subject resides on a 
[^ well-im))roved farm in a comfortable dwell- 
ing, surrounded by shade trees, capacious 
barns and ample outbuildings. Blessed with a 
worthy family, possessed of sufficient means, and 
enjoying the esteem of his neighbors, he may well 
be congratulated that his lot is cast along such 
pleasant lines. He was born in La Fayette County, 
Ky., in 1833, and is the son of James and Cathar- 
ine Happy, both natives of the same county as 
their son, having been born April 25, 1804, and 
August 20, 1809, respectively. 

The father was reared in a portion of Kentucky 
that was heavily timbered and where scliools were 
few at that early date, so that his educational 
advantages were very limited. As his parents 
were poor, he became self-supporting when eigh- 
teen years of age. At that time the Indians 
were numerous, and on one occasion the grand- 
mother of our subject ran bullets in a mold 
for the defenders of the fort while the savages 
were attacking it. The name of this courageous 
woman was Nancy (Rosell) Happy. She was of 
French descent, her ancestors having gone to Ken- 
tucky at a very early date, being numbered among 
the first settlers. Iler husband, the grandfather 
of our subject, bore the name of Elijah Happy and 
was of English descent. 

When the father of our subject began life for 
himself, he engaged in teaming between the Con- 
necticut anil Ohio Hivers. In time, he accunui- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



319 



lated enough to purchase a farm in his native 
county, but previously had married Catharine, 
daugiiter of Cornelius and Frances (Webster) 
A'auglin, natives of Virginia, of English descent. 
There were six children in the Happy family, 
namely: Nanc}',wife of James Shackelford; Ilarvy; 
Elijah, tlie subject of this sketch; Catharine, who 
died when j'oung; James, -who passed away in boy- 
hood; and Cornelius. In 18.50, the fatiier brought 
his little family in wagons to Ray County, Mo., 
where he purchased land, three hundred and sixtj^ 
acres on the present site of the village of Hardin. 
He spent iiis last j'cars with our subject, dying 
in October, 1888, bis wife having preceded him 
June 27, 186.5. During the earlier portion of his 
life he w.as an old-line Whig, but after the death 
of thatpart^' he became a Democrat and continued 
to espouse the principles of that organization until 
his decease. 

Our subject received his education in the com- 
mon schools of Kentucky and remained with his 
parents until twenty years of age, at which time 
he began cultivating a portion of his father's farm. 
April 21, 18.53, he married Marcella Reed, daugh- 
ter of David and Mary (Bryan) Reed, natives of 
Virginia and Kentucky, respectively. Mr. Reed 
served in the War of 1812, and entered the army 
when twelve years of age, fighting under Gen. 
Jackson and participating in the battle of New 
Orleans. He drew a land warrant and his wife re- 
ceived a pension for his services. Mrs. Happy was 
a native of Montgomery County, Mo., and bore 
her husband eleven children, namely: Harvey W., 
John C; Mar}' C, Elijah S., George C, Virginia 
A.,' Fannie L., all deceased; Augustus G.; Ursula, 
wife of John W. Wilhoit; and Gerald E. Our 
subject's beloved wife died December 28, 1891, 
leaving a large circle of friends to join her family 
in mourning her demise. 

Mr. Happy remained on his father's farm and 
operated his grist and saw mill for seven years. 
In 1861 he came to Ins present home, where he pur- 
chased two hundred and eight acres of land, a por- 
tion of which he has disposed of, until he now has 
one hundred and seventy-one acres. In religious 
matters, he supports the teachings of the Mission- 
ary I5a[)tist Cliurcli, in which he is an impfirtant 



member. He is also a member of the Masonic or- 
der, being connected with the Master Lodge No. 
57, at Richmond. In politics he follows the teach- 
ings of Jefferson and is thoroughly persuaded that 
the principles of Democracy are best adapted to 
the welfare of the country. 



AMES JOHNSON. If there is a happier lot 
than that which the farmers of R.a}' County 
^^^1 I enjoy, certainly few experience it. The 
^5^^' rich, fertile fields need but little coaxing to 
yield the most prolific harvests. The cattle grow 
sleek in luxuriant, grassy pastures that are watered 
by Crooked River and its tributaries. The homes 
have been made as a rule for several decades — long 
enough to have gathered about them that feeling 
of peace and plenty* that is so pleasing. The gen- 
tleman whose name is found above is one of these 
happy farmers, owning a fine tract on section 
5, Crooked River Township. He is a native of 
this locality, having been born two miles north of 
Richmond, February 4, 18.36, being a son of James 
and Ala Johnson. The former was a native of 
Tennessee, born August 4, 1810. 

Our subject's paternal grandsire,Thomas Johnson , 
was born in Virginia; the family know little of his 
early history beyond that bare fact. On locating 
in Tennessee, he was employed as a brick mason, 
and at an early day moved with his family- to Mis- 
souri, and settled in Ray County, just north of 
Richmond. The country was then new and very 
wild, and the original occupants of the forests had 
not yet yielded place to the white man. When 
Thomas Johnson died in 1844, he was more tiian 
four-score years old. He had served seven years 
in the Revolutionai'y War. His wife died at the 
age of eighty-six years. 

Our subject's father was an onl}" child. He mar- 
ried Ala Hill in Tennessee, and soon after came to 
this locality, and made his home with his father 
until the death of the latter. He was a skilled 
hunter, and found i)lenty of game in the forest. 



320 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPmCAL RECORD. 



In the year 1849 be went to California and spent 
about a year there, and on his way home died and 
was buried at sea. His widow with lier seven 
cliildreu continued to live on ttie farm until her 
death, which occurred February 11, 1888. She 
was a good Christian woman, and a consistent 
member of the Presbyterian Church. Her husband 
served in several wars with the Indians, taking- 
part in the Black llawk War and in that of the 
Seminoles. 

James Johnson is the fourth in order of birth of 
seven children, six of whom are still living. He 
enjoyed country school advantages, his Alma 
Mater being a rude, if kindly, mother. It was 
without floor and windows. The seats were made 
of slabs and were very uncomfortable to sit on. 
The school }'ear comprised only a few months dur- 
ing the winter. The children then had no shoes 
until Christmas, and perhaps not then, unless old 
enough to work and earn them. 

After his father's death, our subject was im- 
pressed into the service of taking care of his 
mother and the family, his eldest brother having 
left home to learn the blacksmith's trade. James 
remained on the homestead until 1861, when he 
was married, March 3, of that year, to Miss Mollie 
Pngh, also a native of Raj' County. He at once 
began farming for himself, purchasing a i)lacc 
on section 5. This land had been entered at a 
"bit" an acre, but onr subject paid §17 an acre for 
it. He has since refused §60 an acre for the same 
land. It was all prairie land, and very fertile. 
He has not only tilled it thoroughly, but has 
erected all the buildings that now distinguish it as 
being one of the best farms in the locality. Nat- 
nrallj' the interests connected with Ray County 
are predominant in our subject's estimation, as he 
has spent all his life, a period covering fifty-six 
years, right here. 

Mr. Johnson and his good wife, who is truly a 
noble matron, with the best aspirations and in- 
fluence, are very charitably inclined, and are inter- 
ested in all good works. As they are childless they 
lavish their attention upon those who are needy and 
homeless, following the mandates of the only 
Good One. Mr. Johnson is a Democrat in politics. 
His wife is .a niouil)er of the Christian Cliurcli. 



Fraternally, our subject is a Mason. His farm 
comprises two hundred and ten acres of land, on 
which he raises all kinds of stock. It is incalcul- 
ably to his credit that his success is entirely due 
to his own efforts and management. Mrs. John- 
son's father and mother were natives of Tennessee, 
coming hither in an early day. Her parents aie 
now deceased. 



(^^^HOMAS K. KIKKPATKICK, the genial and 
v-^ efiicienl County Clerk of Ray County, Mo., 
- is one of the most popular and highly es- 
teemed residents of Richmond. Our subject is a 
native ^'irginian, and was born in Rockbridge 
County, January' 5, 1849; he is the son of Charles 
B. and Isabella (Kerr) Kirkpa trick, both of whom 
were natives of the Old Dominion. Charles B. 
was a prominent agriculturist of Mi'ginia,and was 
the immediate descendant of Robert Kirkpatrick, 
who was born in Scotland, bul, emigrating to Amer- 
ica, here became the paternal grandfather of Thomas 
K. JMrs. Isabella Kirkpatrick was the daughter of 
John Kerr, who was of German descent. The 
father and mother of our subject spent their lives 
in their native State, and died among the associa- 
tionsof their childhood. Thomas K. enjoyed excel- 
lent educational advantages, and after completing 
his primary studies entered Washington and Lee 
Universit}' at Virginia and there pursued the higher 
branches four years. Having completed the course 
of study, he soon began teaching in Virginia, and 
was aftervvard a valued instructor in Missouri. 
Mr. Kirkpatrick arrived in Missouri in 1872, and 
came to Ray Count}' in September of the same 
year. After a time he engaged in the mercantile 
business in Albany, Ray Countj-, continuing to 
handle merchandise successfully for two years, 
when he began the cultivation of a farm, teaching 
school meantime in the winter. In the fall of 1890 
our subject was elected on the Democratic ticket 
County Clerk of Ray County, and Januarj' 1, 1891, 
took charge of the ofliee for a term of four years. 
1 1 is safe to say thai no more energetic and court- 



PORTRAIT AND KIOGRAPmCAL RECORD. 



321 



cons incimibent ever executed the duties of County 
Clerk lli:ui Mr. Kirkpati'ick, who wins the good- 
will of a!l with whom he comes in contact. 

In the month of August, 187.5, our subject was 
married to Miss Cornelia Brasher, of Ha}' County, 
and daughter of A. 1). and Elizabeth Brasher. The 
pleasant home of jNIr. and Mrs. Kirkpatrick has 
been blessed by the birth of seven bright and 
intelligent ciiildren, the elder ones now enj03'ing 
tlie benefit of .'in excellent education in their na- 
tive State. The residence of the family is on Main 
Street, and is often the scene of joyous social 
gatlferings, our subject and his wife each possess- 
ing a large circle of old-time friends. The valuable 
homestead farm of one hundred and ninety acres, 
all under a lugh state of cultivation, is rented to 
an excellent tenant, as Mr. Kirkpatrick now has 
no time to superintend its culture. 

Fraternally our subject is a valued member of 
Richmond Lodge No. 54, A. F. & A. M., and po- 
litically affiliates with the Democratic party, of 
which he is a local leader, taking an active part in 
State and countv politics. Mr. and Mrs. Kirkpat- 
rick are members of the Presbyterian Church, and 
have been connected with tliis denomination for 
many years. Always prominent in social, benev- 
olent and religious enterprises, they are numbered 
among the important factors in the promotion of 
the good work of their locality and home neigh- 
borhood, and are the recipients of tiie respect and 
confidence of the general public. 



^^ OL. LEWIS C. BOHANN(JN. During the 
(|( _ eighty-two years that have passed over the 
^^^ head of our subject, chronicling their flight 
in whitening hairs, a slower step and a love for ease, 
he has led an eventful life. He was born in Greens- 
burgh, Oreen County, Ky., October 24, 1806, and 
was reared in Woodford County, of the same State. 
He is a son of Simeon and .Sarah (Colmes) Bolian- 
non, both natives of Virginia. The former was 
born in Ciilpcper County and was a son of Elliott 
Bohaiinon, who was of .Scotch descent, the Ameri- 



can branches of the family having l)een established 
by two brothers, who came to the United States at 
an early da^' and reared families in Virginia. 

Grandfather Bohannon was one of the heroes of 
the Revolutionarv War. He was also one of the 
pioneers of Kentuck}', where he made settlement 
at an early da}'. During his long life, which cov- 
ered four-score j-ears, he did much pioneer work 
and helped to rid the countr3'of the Indi.ans. His 
son Simeon was but a bo}' on going to Kentucky. 
He became a lawj'er. but like most of the better 
class of Kentuckians was a gentleman farmer, hav- 
ing his practice in adjoining counties. He served 
as Associate .Tudge and was a prominent and well- 
known advocate. His decease occurred in 184.5. 
Our subject's mother was the daughterof a French- 
man; she survived several years after her hus- 
band's death. 

Col. Bohunnon is the second in order of birth in 
a family of seven children, five S(ms and two 
daughters, and is the only one still living. He 
was reared on a farm and was sent to the subscrip- 
tion schools of that da}-. He began reading law 
at the age of twenty and was admitted to the Bar 
on examination by .Judge P^ves. The profession 
proved, liowever, to be uncongenial and he aban- 
doned it for farming, locating about 1831 in what 
is now called Breathitt County, on the Kentucky 
River. During his residence in the Blue Grass 
State he commanded the Eighteenth Brigade, Ken- 
tuck}- Militia, which included six counties. 

In 1837, he came to Missouri on horseback and 
visited Saline and Pettis Counties. In 1847, he 
removed his family to the first-named county, and 
in November of the same year located on a farm 
in Crooked River Township, Ray County, where 
he has since lived, having been on the present 
farm for forty-five years. The country was then 
new and settlers were few and far between. Mr. 
Bohannon was very fond of hunting and kept a 
pack of hounds. 

During tlie first winter tlie family lived in a lit- 
tle log house and in the spring of the following 
year they built their present home. The estab- 
lishment included from sixteen to eighteen slaves, 
and we of the present d.ay can imagine how busy 
it must have kept both master and mistress to find 



322 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD. 



work for these dusky servants and to keep them 
fed and clothed. Mr. Bohannon carried on an 
extensive farming business and paid considerable 
attention to stock-raising. He was a member of 
the State Legislature and w.as in .Jefferson City 
when the war broke out. On reaching home he 
found that a company had been formed and he 
was at once elected Captain. Thus he entered the 
Confederate service, joining Price's army, and first 
engaged in Arkansas. He soon succeeded to the 
office of Colonel, and in this capacity was in all 
the battles west of the Mississippi River, in Arkan- 
sas, Texas and Missouri. 

Col. Bohannon returned to Missouri and partic- 
ipated with Price in his famous raid through the 
State. He remained in the service for four years, 
or until the end of hostilities, and although sixty 
years old when he enlisted he stood the trials and 
hardships incident to warfare as well as any of his 
company. In 1862, while home on a recruiting- 
furlough, he took part in two very hard-fought 
battles at Independence and Lone Jack. The en- 
emy had vastly superior numbers, and Mr. Bohan- 
non was four times wounded, two of which wounds 
have never healed. 

Few men can look back over sixty yeais of com- 
panionship with one woman. Such, however, has 
been the experience of Col. Bohannon, who realizes 
that these years vvould have been desolate indeed 
without the love and devotion of his wife. Early 
in life he won the love of Miss Cynthia Haddix, of 
Perry Count}', Ky., and .July 18, 1832, they were 
married. Hor family was of English and Irish 
extraction. Mr. and Mrs. Bohannon celebrated 
their sixtieth anniversary last summer. They were 
the parents of seven children: Sarah, Elliott, Cas- 
sandra, Mary, Nancy, Susan and Simeon. The 
eldest daughter is now Mrs. Columbus C. Eastin, 
of Clark County, Ivy.; Elliott, now deceased, was 
a prominent man in California and was distin- 
guished as the youngest man who ever held the 
Speakership in the Legislature; Cassandra is also 
deceased; Mary is the wife of Capt. B. F. Davis; 
Nancy is Mrs. Thomas Davis; Susan is Mrs. An- 
drew ILabbright; Simeon takes charge of the old 
homestead. Col. Bohannon has given all his chil- 
dren excellent educational advantages. 



In former j-ears, our subject was an old-line 
AVhig and a great admirer of that wonderful 
statesman and orator, Henry Clay. He is now 
equally as ardent in his belief in Democratic i)rin- 
ciples. He has been elected to the Legislature of 
Missouri three times and each term gave entire 
satisfaction to his constituents. Ever since coming 
to Missouri the Colonel has been a Mason and has 
attained to the Master's degree. After more than 
forty years of active service he was made an hon- 
orary life member, free from all duties. Mrs. Bo- 
hannon is a member of the Methodist Church. 
The Colonel's estate includes four hundred .and 
forty acres of splendid land. 



=^^ 



<j¥r^DMUND SMITH. A veteran of tlie late 
1^ war, out of which he came with the record 
/J^^ of a courageous soldier, and also a success- 
ful farmer, our subject may well congratulate him- 
self that life is worth living. Occupying that 
proudest of proud positions, a citizen of the 
United States, and surrounded by comfort and 
luxury, no titled individual of liurope is as much 
to be envied as Edmond .Smith, living on section 
14, townsiiip 51, range 28, in Ray County, Mo. 

Our subject was born November 6,- 1840, in Mc- 
Cracken County, Ivy., the son of Isham and Martha 
A. (Keen) Smith, born in Kentucky and Tennes- 
see, respectively, the father in 1806, and the mother 
in 1811. The father's younger manhood was em- 
ployed as ferryman on the Ohio River, and as a 
hunter of bears and deer, which then abounded in 
the region of his home. Many and exciting were 
his adveiitures wiiile hunting wild beasts, remem- 
bered with pleasure bj^ our subject and which he 
lecalls with interest. The father received a com- 
mon-school education and training on the farm, 
and afterward spent man}' years in various parts 
of Iventucky until 1844, when he removed to liay 
County, ]Mo., where he farmed rented land as long 
as he lived. Ten children were born to him, six 
of whom died young, the others l)eing: oiu- sub- 
ject, Kdward and William N., all of this county, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



323 



and Francis, who died after attainini; maturity. 
In politics, llie father was an old-line Whig, re- 
joicing in his party's victories and lamenting its 
defeats. He finally died .Tuly 29, 1886, his wife 
preceding him by many years, dying February 6, 
1852. 

Receiving schooling in the district schools, our 
subject grew up to manhood at home on a farm, 
learning the avocation of a farmer. His first 
rough experience with life was as a soldier, he hav- 
ing enlisted in company F,, Sixteenth Kansas Cav- 
alry, in 1861, serving until the end of the war, 
and being in Missouri the greater part of the time. 
His company took a trip through Colorado and 
Montana into Yellowstone Park. This proved a 
very trying journey. Many times the command 
was out of food and suffered severe h', and for a 
month the poor fellows lived on the flesh of their 
mules. At one time they were without water for 
two entire days and three nights. 

After the return of our subject from the arm^', 
he was married in 1866 to Miss Selina Ebersole, 
daughter of Joseph and Susannah (Kintner) Eber- 
sole. His family consisted of eight children, as fol- 
lows: Efla May, wife of Elsa Brown ; Charity I., who 
died at the age of nineteen; .Joseph G., Sula, Ed- 
raond W., William, Clay and Sylvester. Our sub- 
ject and wife are members of the ^Methodist Epis- 
copal Church at Camden, and are vvorth}- members 
of that connection. He is a straightforward mem- 
ber of the Republican part}' and holds to his opin- 
ions with a firmness born of deep conviction. 



1^-^ TEPHEN C. DFNCAN is an energetic and 
%6^^ enterprising citizen of Clay County, Mo., 
); and widely known as one of the early 
jiioneers of the State. In the handling 
and shipping of valuable Shorthorn cattle of a 
sujjerior grade and quality, he has owned some of 
the finest imported stock ever brought into the 
country. His fine farm, located iijwn section 1, 
townsiiip .O.S, range :53, and under a high state of 



improvement, contains an immense acreage, and 
is mainly devoted to the feeding and care of 
the stock, which invariably yields excellent re- 
turns for the money invested. Mr. Duncan was 
born December 15, 1833, in Henry County, Kv. 
His parents were Stephen and Luc}' (Hrowning) 
Duncan, both natives of Bourbon County, where 
the father was born October 17, 1797, and the 
mother several j'ears later. The father, who had 
remained with his parents until his marriage, 
shortly after removed to Saline County, Mo., and 
in 1838 bought an improved farm of three hun- 
dred and twenty acres and in Decemlier, 1840, 
came to Clay County, settling on a farm a few 
miles south of Smithville. This farm consisted of 
six hundred and sixtj'-six acres, one hundred and 
ninety acres being at the time of 'purchase well 
improved. Upon this homestead Stephen Duncan, 
Sr., continued to reside for fifteen years, then lo- 
cated in Clinton Count}-, Mo., where he died April 
6, 1877. 

Throughout his entire life, the career of Stephen 
Duncan was characterized by energy and sterling 
integrity, and to quote the words of those who 
knewhim well, ''his word was as good as his bond." 
He was a valued member of the Christian Church, 
and fraternally was connected with the Ancient 
Free & Accepted Masons. Before the war, he 
was an ardent Whig but in later years strongly 
supported the Democratic party. He was twice 
married and unto him and his first wife were born 
seven children: Thaddeus C. S., deceased; James 
W.; Sarah E., who has been thrice married, first to 
William. I^ynch, then to Mr. AVilliams and now 
the widow of Mr. Tuggle; Lucy twice married, 
her first husband. Matthew Duncan, her second, 
Lloyd Browning; John S., deceased; Stephen C, 
our subject; M.oi-y E., deceased, wife of John W. 
]5renham. The mother of our subject died and 
was buried in Saline County, and in 1839 the fa- 
ther married Nancy Nicholson, a daughter of John 
Nicholson, and to them were born eleven sons and 
daughters, five of whom lived to attain their ma- 
jority: Henry C.; Pembroke S.; Mattie, deceased 
wife of Joseph Glo.ssip; Benjamin M. and Nannie. 
Fatlier Duncan bui'ied his second wife in April, 
1875. The paternal grandfather, .lames Duncan, 



324 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



was a native of Culpeper County, Va., where he 
grew up to manhood and married Miss Strode. 
Farming was the occupation of his life and lie 
owned a two hundred and forty acre farm in Ken- 
tucky, to which he removed in a very early day. 
He was a man of xesolute energy and actively par- 
ticipated in the War of 1812. 

Our subject received his education in the pri- 
vate schools of Clay County and remained at 
home until he was twenty-two years of age, wlien 
lie entered into partnership with his father in the 
purchase of Shorthorn cattle. lu 1863, lie decided 
to withdraw from the partnership and has since 
conducted the same line of business alone. March 
.'), 1863, Mr. Duncan was united in marriage with 
Mary E. Davenport, n daughter of Rice B. and 
Rebecca (Winn) Davenport. This estimable lady 
died September 10, 1869, leaving no children. 
She was a member of the Christian Church and 
was highly respected. November 10, 1870, our 
subject was married to Miss Maria Winn, a daugh- 
ter of James and Maliuda (llutsell) Winn. Mrs. 
Duncan was born in Clinton County, Mo., and re- 
ceived her education in the Camden Point High 
School of Platte County. Iler parents were na- 
tives of Bourbon County, Ky., and came to Mis- 
souri in 1825. Three daughters blessed this 
second union; Lucy, wife of John W. Spratt; 
iSIattie and Mabel. These three attractive young 
ladies were educated at Christian College in Col- 
umbia Mo., and, finely accomplished, are great so- 
cial favorites. Mr. Duncan joined the Cliristian 
Church in 1854, and lie and his family are regu- 
lar attendants and active in the good work of 
that religious organization. Our subject has 
reached the degree of Master Mason and has been 
long connected with the order, being a member of 
Acacia Lodge No. 289. 

Politically our subject is a Democrat and actively 
interested in the local and n.ational management of 
positions of influence and power. An independent, 
self-reliant and enterprising man, Mr. Duncan has 
unaided won success in life. Refusing all assist- 
ance from his father, and not even receiving the 
portion of the estate which he could have claimed, 
he has steadily prospered and on tiie 25tli of Novem- 
ber, 1865, moved ujiou iiis preseiil fariii,tlien con- 



taining four hundred and eighteen acres, but which 
has extended its limits, now embracing twelve 
hundred and forty-three acres. Our subject also 
has valuable farming property in Kansas, in all 
fourteen hundred acres in the western part of this 
latter State. Having achieved a comfortable com- 
petence and being blessed with an abundance of 
this world's goods, Mr. Duncan generously shares 
his prosperity with others and is widely known as 
a liberal and public-spirited citizen. 






Ir^iOBEHT S. THOMAS. If men were measured 
II*^ in the scales of gold alone, all being re- 
^ \V jected who could not pull down the weights 
of yellow metal, then would our subject, 
like legions of other worthy and good men, be con- 
demned. But there is a nobler standard, that of 
duty, the coming up to which is better than fine 
gold or rubies. ITpwards of a quarter of a century 
ago Robert Thomas suffered seriously from the re- 
sults of service in the Union army, and the virtue 
of patriotism is a most exalted one. He lives on 
a farm in township 52, range 27, in Ray County, 
Mo., and was born in Boone County, the same 
State. His parents were William and Cinderella 
(Tevis) Thomas, both natives of Kentucky, he of 
Scott, and she of Madison County. 

The father of our subject received a classical 
education in Frankfort (Ky.) College; but the 
death of his father occurring while he was yet a 
3'outh, he promptly went out into the world to 
•work for himself. His father had been quite 
wealthy at one time; but serious financial losses 
just before his death left the estate in such a shape 
that our subject's father received only a small 
amount from it. As was a fairly general practice 
in those days, he married when quite a young 
man. His wife had three children, one dying 
young, the others being: Emma, whose first hus- 
band was J. G. Byram, and her second, Samuel 
Mason, both deceased; and Hobert S., our subject. 
Our subject's father came to Boone County prior 
to his maniage, where he was Count}- Clerk for a 



i^i 



•"^Jjr-. 






'% ' 





':h^(yns^i^aa 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



327 



miinbei- of years and also taught many sessions in 
the public schools. In time he removed to Cooper 
County, Mo., where he resumed teaching, and con- 
tinued it until his death. 

William Thomas was a quiet, unostentatious 
man and a sincere Clu'istian, holding his member- 
ship in the Methodist Episcopal Church South. 
His sympathy and his vote were always given to 
the Democratic party. He died when our subject 
w.as young, but his wife survived until July 12, 
1892, dying at the ripe old age of eight^^-three 
years. Our subject has made his own living from 
his youtli upward, beginning with nothing. In 
186!) he made his home with his sister and has had 
charge of her farm ever since. During the war he 
was a Federal soldier, having enlisted in Company 
H, Fortieth Regiment Missouri Infantry, remain- 
ing in the service ten months, during which time 
he contracted brain fever, for which he has never 
received a pension. 



1^+^i 



•j^^ E. BRECKENRIDGE, an enterprising and 
^^^ prosperous general agriculturist and stock- 
raiser, widely known and highly respected 
as a useful and energetic citizen, and now 
residing on section 31, township 53, range 32, 
Clay County, was born in Bourbon County, Ky., in 
1828, and the following year was brought by his 
parents to Clay County. This portion of the State 
has since been his life-time home, with the excep- 
tion of a few adventurous 3'ears passed in the Far 
West. Our subject is the son of Edlyn and Elea- 
nor (Duncan) Breckenridge, natives of Virginia, 
who early removed with their parents to Ken- 
tucky. Edlyn Breckenridge was born December 7, 
1788, and the birth of his wife occurred January 
17, 1795. The paternal grandparents were Alex- 
ander and Magdalene (Gamble) Breckenridge, who 
were born May 16, 1743, and January 10, 1746, 
respectively. The}' were both probably natives of 
Virginia, and of Scotch-Irish-German descent, and 
were united in marriage October 6, 1767. Alex- 
ander Breckenridge was a prominent planter of 
Viiginia, and a man of position and influence. 
16 



Edlyn Breckenridge received a good education 
for that early day, and patriotically began life for 
himself by entering the War of 1812, under Gen. 
Harrison. After the war he devoted himself to 
agricultural duties, and was numbered among the 
wealthy farmers of Kentucky, but lost a large part 
of his property by becoming security for others. 
In 1829, he emigrated with his family to Clay 
County, arriving in his new home October 29. 
He entered live hundred acres of land a few miles 
south of where our subject now lives, and for a 
time was greatly prospered, but losing through 
the dishonesty of others, was financially involved 
and obliged to part with his valuable homestead. 
Energetic and resolute, he began again, and soon 
was able to purchase a portion of the farm wliere 
our subject now lives. Politically, Edlyn Breck- 
enridge belonged to the old Whig party. He and 
his wife were both members of the Christian 
Church. Twelve children blessed their union: 
Alexander and Elizabeth, deceased; James, Rob- 
ert, Sarah, S. E., Mary A., Eleanor, Matthew D., 
John (deceased), and two who died in childhood. 

After the marriage of our subject, his parents 
made their home with him until their death. Mr. 
Breckenridge remained upon the old homestead 
until he had attained his majority, and early en- 
joyed the advantage of instruction in the district 
schools of Clay County. In 1850, with a brother 
and two companions, he crossed the plains to Cali- 
fornia, traveling by ox-teams and spending one 
hundred and four days en route. The party first 
located in Ilangtowu, or Placerville, and then 
went to the Middle P.nrk of the American River, 
where our subject engaged in gold-mining. After 
the experience of a year and a-half, he returned by 
water to Missouri, crossing the Isthmus at Pan- 
ama, and thence to New Orleans, and by rail home. 
His adventures in the West only made him more 
desirous of enjoying a second trip, and in 1853 he 
was again en route for the Pacific Coast, but was 
this time bound for Oregon. He was absent three 
years from his home, and returned by water to 
New York, and thence to Missouri, where he re- 
sumed farming duties. 

April 15, 1858, ]Mr. Breckenridge was united in 
niarri.'ige with Miss Nanc}- .1. Smith, daughter of 



328 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Ephraim and Elizabeth (Duncan) Smith, and to 
the husband and wife were born eight children, 
two of whom died in infancy. Ann E. (deceased), 
was born in 1860, and became the wife of Edlyn 
Brecken ridge, a cousin; Ella, Mrs. William Asher, 
was born March 18, 1866; Ephraim (deceased) was 
born April 13, 1868; Sarah F. (deceased) was born 
March 12, 1872; Mattie L. was born January 16, 
1874; and Ora, March 22, 1877. After the mar- 
riage of our subject, he remained upon his father's 
farm, and now owns two hundred acres of excel- 
lent laud, which he has brought to a high state of 
cultivation. Fraternally, Mr. I>recl<enridge is con- 
nected with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows, and is a valued member of the lodge atSmith- 
ville. Politically, he is a Democrat, but never an 
offioe-seeker, simply desiring to do his full duty at 
the polls as becomes every true American citizen. 
He and his estimable wife and family are highly 
respected and enjoy the regard of a large circle of 
friends. 



jjILBUR C. IIALSTEAD. The subject of 
this sketch is a successful and intelligent 
*j!^' farmer, residing on section 5, township 
53, range 29, Ray County. He was born in Ala- 
mance County, N. C, October 1, 1835, and is a 
son of .lohn Halstead, a native of the same county. 
The father was married in the State named to a 
AFiss Freeland, who lived but a short time, and 
afterward he again married, his wife being Miss 
Elizabeth, daughter of William and Fanny Gant. 
She passed away September 22, ISCiil, in her sev- 
enty-second year. 

In his native State the father carried on his 
trade of cabinet-making and also followed the oc- 
cupation of farming. He removed to Missouri in 
November of 1837, and located upon a farm four 
miles north of Richmond, which he began to im- 
prove. In the following year he settled upon a 
farm four miles east of Lawson, where he remained 
about twenty years. Thence ho removed to a 
farm one and one-lialf miles east of Lawson, which 



continued to be his residence until his death, 
March 1, 1886. After the death of his second 
wife lie married Mrs. Elizabeth O. K. Murray, who 
died December 29, 1870. He was the father of 
two children, both by his second wife: our sub- 
ject, and Mary F., who died March 24, 1847. At 
the time of his demise he owned about six hun- 
dred acres ef land, and was a very successful 
farmer. A zealous Christian, he was a member of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which his sec- 
ond wife also held membership, and was highly es- 
teemed. Conscientious in all that he did, he 
would vote for no unworth}' man. Ills political 
principles were those of the Whig party. 

Our subject was but two years old when he 
came to this county, where he has lived for al)0ut 
fifty-four years, and where in youth he received 
his education in the old subscription schools. He 
was married February 27, 1872, to Miss Belle, 
daughter of John and Elizabeth Fritzlen. She 
was born in Jessamine County, Kj'., November 26, 
1852. Her father settled first in Jackson County, 
Mo., and then in Claj^ County, and is now living 
in Missouri City, in the latter county. After his 
marriage our subject lived on the home place un- 
til 1884, when he removed to his present farm. 
He resides in a very comfortable house, and the 
other buildings are substantial and adapted to 
their varied uses. The marriage was blessed by 
the birth of five children, namely: John Wilbur, 
who resides at home; Samuel R., a student in tlie 
college at Lawson; Thomas A. W., born June 13, 
1877, who died August 17, 1885; Egbert F., at- 
tending school at Lawson; and Mary Frances, at 
home. 

In August, 1862, our suliject enlisted in Com- 
pany B, Fiftj'-first Regiment Missouri Militia, and 
remained in the service eighteen months, serving 
in that regiment for six months under Gen. John 
B. Hale, of Carrollton, Mo., being at that time First 
Sergeant. August 20, 1864, he enlisted in Com- 
pany F, Forty-fourth Regiment Missouri Infantry, 
U. S. A. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant 
and was afterward promoted to be First Lieutenant, 
being in service the last time for one year. The 
regiment was organized at St. Joseph and pro- 
ceeded to St. Louis, thence to Kolla, Mo. From 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



329 



the latter place tbej' returned to Missouri, going 
tlience to Paducali, Ky.; afterward to Nashville, 
Tenn.; thence to Columbia, where our subject 
took part in the engagement with Hood's arm\-, 
lighting all the way and finall3' making a stand at 
Franklin, where there was a l)attle, after which 
tliej' returned to Nashville, December 1. Our sub- 
ject was in the hospital at the time of the battle at 
Franklin. Tlic regiment was next sent to New 
Oilcans in the Gulf service, after which it took 
part in the siege of Mobile; it was sent on a forced 
march to Montgomery, but before reaching that 
place received news of the surrender of Lee's 
army. On the 15th of August, 1865, the regi- 
ment was nuistered out and our subject returned 
home. 

Our subject is a member of the Masonic order 
and has filled the Chairs of Junior and Senior 
Warden. His religious affiliation is with the 
Methodist Episcopal Church and he is much es- 
teemed for his zeal in its behalf. Mr. Halstead 
owns four hundred and thirty acres of land, all in 
the township and well improved. He devotes his 
attention to the growing of grain and raising 
stock, in both of which he is ver3- successful. 
Farm duties prevent him from devoting much 
time to politics, but he is a Republican, although 
in local elections he often votes for good men of 
the other party. 



pS ARTLETT ,SISK, Postmaster at the village 
U>\ of Sisk. was born in Cocke County, Tenn., 
i(e) I -Tauiiary 18, 18.30. He belongs to a family 
<^r^' whose members have been distinguished 
alike in war and the pursuits of civic life. His 
ancestors were originally from Ireland, whence 
representatives of the family emigrated to Amer- 
ica many years prior to the Revolutionary War, 
and settled in Virginia. Timothy Sisk, the son of 
these emigrants, was probably born and reared in 
Culpeper Count}-, Va. 

The next in line of descent was Bartlett Sisk, 
who was 1)1)111 in Culpeper County, A'a., about 



1753, and in his earh' manhood enlisted in defense 
of the Colonies during the Revolutionary AVar. 
Under Gen. Daniel Morgan he participated in 
many prominent engagements, and was always in 
the front, doing valiant service for the cau.se of 
liberty. After the war he married MoUie, daugh- 
ter of Benjamin Campbell, and they became the 
parents of the folio vving-named children: Elias, 
ToUiver, Bartlett, Lawson, Blackburn, Elizabetii 
and Lydia. All are deceased with the exception 
of Lawson and Blackburn. From Virginia Bartlett 
Sisk, Sr., removed to Cocke County, Tenn., in 1801, 
and there he engaged in general farming until his 
death, which occurred in .about 1840. His wife 
had passed away .several years prior to his demise. 

Lawson Sisk, father of our subject, was born in 
the Old Dominion in 1800, and was reared to man- 
hood in Tennessee, where he gained a meagre 
knowledge of the "three R's" in a primitive struc- 
ture used for a .schoolhouse. On starting out for 
himself, he received a tract of land from his father, 
and there he embarked in agriculture, which occu- 
pation he has alwaj's followed. He now owns 
about one hundred and twenty acres in Cocke 
County, Tenn., where his entire life has been 
passed, and so closely has he followed his personal 
duties, that with the exception of a very few oc- 
casions, he has never been outside of the county. 
Politically, he is a Democrat, loyal to the party of 
his choice. He is a member of the Primitive 
Baptist Church, witii which his wife was likewise 
identified. 

When about twenty six years old, Lawson Sisk 
married Sarah Clevenger, a girl of eighteen, and 
they became the parents of eleven children, two 
of whom died in infancy. The others are: Bart- 
lett, our subject; Lawson; Allen; Branson, who en- 
listed in service during the late war, and died in 
prison; Carson and Addison, ivho likewi.se died 
while in the Confederate service; Elizabeth, wife 
of William Bryant; Nancy, formerly the wife of 
.\aron Bryant, and now deceased; and Sarah, Mrs. 
Annanias Bryant. 

The early education of our subject was acquired 
in a "temple of learning" which was built of 
round poles, and had a dirt floor. A huge fire- 
()lace exleiuled lialf-w.av .across the end of the 



330 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRArHICAL RECORD. 



house, and light was admitted through a cliink be- 
tween two logs. Split logs were used for seats, 
and tjie other furnisliings were of an equally prim- 
itive kind. In his earl}' manhood and soon after 
his marriage, our subject came to Missouri and cul- 
tivated a farm on shares for two ^-ears, then worked 
as a hired hand for the same length of time in Ray 
County. Later he entered a gristmill with his 
great-uncle, .John Clevenger, and since that year 
(1853) has been interested both in grist and saw- 
mills. 

During the late war, Mr. Sisk enlisted in the 
Confederate army under Gen. Henry Little, and 
remained in the service for almost four years. 
Among the engagements in which he took part 
may be mentioned the battles of Pea Ridge, Cor- 
inth, luka, Vicksburg, Grand Gulf, Ft. Gibson, 
and others of minor importance. A grape shot of 
cannon caused the loss of his right arm. May I, 
1863, after which he was confined in a hospital for 
six weeks. He was also imprisoned, and later 
placed on parole. In November, 1863, he entered 
the commissary department at Grenada, Miss., and 
there remained until he was honorably discharged 
at the close of the war in April, 186.5. 

Prior to entering the army, Mr. Sisk purchased 
one hundred acres of land near Vibbard, Mo. In 
1868, he traded this property for the farm upon 
which he now resides, and which consists of one 
hundred and thirty-five acres. Although he has 
never made a specialty of farming, his efforts along 
that line have been quite successful, and his place 
contains the latest improvements in machinery and 
buildings. Mr. Sisk has always been a strong- 
Democrat, and has lield the ottice of Postmaster at 
Sisk since 1884. Besides this, he has been chosen 
to occupy other local jiositions of trust, in all of 
which he has served with fidelity and efliciency. 

The first marriage of Mr. Sisk united him with 
Miss Elizabeth Morell. After her death he mar- 
ried Sarah, daughter of .losepii and Elizabeth 
Hightower, and they became the parents of two 
children: Elias, now deceased; .ind Sarah, wife of 
Gordon Clevenger. After the demise of Mrs. 
Sarah Sisk, our subject formed a matrimonial alli- 
ance witli Miss Arrena (irace, a native of Ray 
County, Mo., and a daughter of John and Mina 



(Norris) Grace. Twelve children were born of 
this union, tiiree of whom died in childhood. The 
survivors are: Dorinda, wife of Joseph Hightower; 
Addison, Sterling, Elmer, George; Elizabeth, who 
married Jesse Clevenger; Emma, wife of Joiin 
Yoakam; Martha and Mary. The position occu- 
pied by the family in the community is one of 
prominence, and in their i)leasant home they hos- 
pitably entertain the many friends whom thev wel- 
come as guests. 



I^ON. WILLIAM D. BROWN, the enterpris- 
ing and ellicienl Mayor of Richmond, is 
one of the leading merchants of the com- 
mercial center of Ray County, Mo., and is 
an energetic, progressive and public-spirited citi- 
zen, possessing the esteem and confidence of the 
general public. He is a native of the State and 
was born in the northern part of Ray County, 
Jul}' 27, 1861. Our subject is the son of John C. 
and Hattie (George) Brown, his mother, who died 
in 1872 in her thirtieth year, being the daughter 
of David George, a native of Kentucky and a man 
of sterling integrit}' of character. The great- 
grandfather of William D. was Thomas Brown, who 
was of German descent and early made his home 
in Tennessee, where the paternal grandfather, 
William Brown, was born and reared, but later re- 
moving to Missouri settled in Ray County, and 
afterward removed to Carroll County, wliere he 
died. The father of our subject, John C, was born 
January 29, 183.5, in Ray County. 

The maternal grandmother of William D. was in 
girlhood INIiss Sarah A. Ralph, the daughter of 
Roland Ralpli; she was a native of North Caro- 
lina, born near Salem, Forsyth County, and after- 
ward removing with her parents to Ray County, 
Mo., there grew up to womanhood and married 
William Brown, in whose honor our subject, his 
grandson, was named. Tliis union took place in 
1832, and later they and their family settled in 
Carroll County, where both died at a good old age. 
John C. w.as reared in Kay and Carroll Counties 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



331 



and attended the public schools, enjoying the 
benefit of a course of instruction in the Carrollton 
Ilitfh Scool. He tauglit sciiool and read law and 
practiced for a time and then embarked in the mer- 
cantile business. He also ably discharged tiie duties 
'of Siieriff of Kay County, to which position he was 
elected in 1872 and re-elected in 1874. A thorough 
business man, he has devoted himself untiringly 
through a long and prosperous financial career to 
the demands of mercantile life. 

Our subject passed his early youth vipon a farm 
and attended the district school of the immediate 
neighborhood. In 1874, he came with his parents, 
vvho then made their home in Riclimond, and here 
he continued his studies in the excellent schools of 
the city. He entered U'lon a mercantile life in the 
store of his father in M' rton, Ray County, and in 
1882 returned to Richmond and engaged in busi- 
ness, extensively handling dry goods and clothing. 
He was associated with his father in business rela- 
tions until 1892, wlien he bought out an interest 
in the gents' furnishing and clothing department, 
and with his brother .John D. and O. A. Searc}' 
formed a co-partnership, their establishment being 
known as the Brown Clothing Company, and car- 
rying a most complete line of goods. 

Our subject was united in marriage October 10, 
1888, with Miss Mary, daughter of Stephen Catron, 
an old settler of La Fayette County. .Stephen 
Catron was a native of AVhite County, Tenn., and 
came to Missouri in 1818, where he resided until his 
death. Mr. Catron was a public-spirited citizen, 
and was a near relative of the late .Judge Catron, 
of the United States Supreme Court, and had 
many of the characteristics of that distinguished 
jurist. His death occurred near Waverly, in La 
Fayette Countj', Mo. 

Mr. and Mrs. Brown have been blessed by the 
birtiiof two bright children, one son and one daugh- 
ter. In the spring of 1891, Mr Brown was elected 
by a large majority to the responsible and honored 
position of tlie highest municipal officer of Rich- 
mond, and as Mayor has presided with dignity 
and ability, winning many friends, and during his 
administration has accomplished much in behalf 
of local progress and improvement. A lifetime 
Democrat, he has been prominent in the councils 



of his party, but regardless of political affiliations 
has a host of friends in the home where he and his 
immediate ancestors have been important factors 
in the development and promotion of leading 
financial, benevolent and social interests for three 
succe.ssive generations. 



* IlILLIAM H. FITCH, our subject, may 
\/\j// well congratulate himself upon the suc- 
W'^ cess that has crowned his work since he 
started out in life for himself. His is a very 
attractive farm, located in township .^l, range 28, 
Ray County. Tlie place of his birth is Fleming 
Count}', Ky., his natal day having been July 3, 
1841. His parents were William and Sophia 
(Turner) Fitch, natives of tlie same county as our 
subject, the father born August 19, 1799, and the 
mother August 22, 1802. Although the education 
of William was quite limited, as he grew older lie 
became a great reader and a well-informed man. 

When twenty-one years old William Fitch left 
the old home farm, where he had remained during 
his youth and from which he had gone regularly 
throughout boyhood to the old-fashioned school- 
house. For seven 3'ears he followed farming, af- 
ter which he boated on the Ohio and Mississippi 
Rivers, and then, at the age of twenty-eigiit, mar- 
ried Sophia, daughter of James and Ann (DeBell) 
Turner. Their children were: James, deceased; 
Jlaiy, who died when young; Ann, wife of AV. J. 
AValker, of Pettis County, Mo.; John T.. of Kan- 
sas City, Mo.; Nanc}', deceased, formerly wife of 
W. H. Anderson, of Johnson County, Mo.; Will- 
iam II., our subject; Robert T., of IMiami, Tex.: 
and Joel M., deceased. 

After his marriage our subject's father settled 
upon the old home farm, and in 1866 he located 
in Johnson County, Mo., where he bought land 
and resided until his death, in 1885; his wife had 
passed awa}* seven years prior to his demise. The 
grandparents of our subject were Salathiel and 
Lavinia (James) Fitch, very early settlers of Fleni- 



332 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ing Count3^ Ky., being the first family, in fact, to 
live outside the fort. Salathiel was a native of 
Maryland, where he married, and with his wife 
tinned his face toward Kentucky, reaching that 
State in 1700. Soon afterward he bought large 
tracts of Government hind, heavily timbered and 
surrounded by Indians. He moved into his new 
liome in May and raised a crop the same 3'ear. 

William H. Fitch, of this sketch, began to work 
for himself at the age of twenty-one on his father's 
farm, having previously received a common-school 
education. Four years later, in 1866, he married 
Miss Achsah, daughter of Jacob and Lucy (Belt) 
Lee, she and her niotlier natives of Kentucky and 
her father of Virginia. Mrs. Fitch died June 20, 
1891. The children of our subject are: Fannie 
Lee, who married Horace Keves; Robert T., Gil- 
lie, James Worth, William H., Jr., and H. Graddj'. 
Mr. Fitch came to Missouri March 19, 1872, and 
settled m Ra}- County the following Sei)tember. 
His first purchase consisted of ninet3--five acres, to 
which he added fifty acres afterward, and here he 
devotes his attention to raising grain and feeding 
stock. He is a member of the Christian Church, 
as also are all the members of the family who have 
reached years of accountability. In politics he is 
an ardent member of tlie Democratic party. 



^^S) A. DE BERRY, the popular and enterpris- 
ing diuggist, prominent business man and 
''' leading citizen of Smithville, Clay County, 
Mo., is a native of the State and was born upon 
his father's farm in Platte County, January 28, 
1859. Our subject is the son of John L. and Mary 
(Adams) De Berry, the father being a native of 
Kentuck}-, and the mother of Tennessee. John 
L. De Berry was reared upon a Kentucky farm, and 
remained with his parents until he had attained to 
manhood. He received his education in the com- 
mon schools of Kentucky, and was married, at 
about the age of thirty years, to the daughter of 
James and Sarah (Bernard) Adams. He had prev- 
iously purchased in liobinson County, Tenn., two 



or three hundred acres of land, and there he and 
his wife located, remaining until they came to 
Platte County, in 1839, where they settled upon 
Government land, which Mr. De Berry bought and 
added to until he owned four hundred and twenty- 
acres at one time. Mr. John De Berry was in early 
life a Whig, and later a Democrat. Fraternally, 
he was a member of the Ancient Free & Accepted 
Masons. 

The children who clustered about the hearth of 
the old homestead were twelve in number, and 
one who passed away at the age of sixteen was the 
only one of the family who did not live to mature 
age. Angus J. was the eldest-born; then follow 
James A.; William L., deceased; JohnF.; Edward; 
Thomas A.; Mary C, wife of Thomas L. Turner; 
Almyra, wife of James M. Darnell; Alwilda, de- 
ceased, wife of W. R. Brassfield; Cornelia, wife of 
C. T. llenson ; and Lula, wife of Dr. R. W. Rea. The 
father of these brothers and sisters died in June, 
1868, his wife surviving until November, 1888. 
Our subject remained with his mother until he was 
eighteen years of age, and cnjo3'ed excellent edu- 
cational advantages, attending a thorough course 
of instruction in William Jewell College at Lib- 
ert3\ In his nineteenth year he went to Colo- 
rado, and spent his time in the mining country 
until 1880, when he returned to Smithville, and 
became a clerk in the drug store of W. R. Brass- 
field. He remained here engaged with various 
parties until, in 1888, he went to Cass Count3', Mo., 
and in Gun City entered into the drug business 
for himself. 

The following year Mr. De Berry sold out his 
drug store in Gun Cit3' and went to Carroll County, 
Mo., but in the same fall, 1889, came again to 
Smithville, and bought his present prosperous 
business. His commodious store is attractivel3' 
arranged, and our subject carries a full line of 
stationery, toilet goods and drugs, his stock being 
worth fully $2,500. Fraternally, Mr. De Berry is 
a valued member of Lodge No. 438, A. F. & A. M.; 
a member of Lodge No. 21, R. A. M., and Belt 
Commandery No. 9, of Platte City; he is also a 
member of Lodge No. 289,1. O. O. F. Yet a young 
man in the early prime of usefulness, our subject 
is estimated among the sul)stantial businessmen of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



333 



Clay County, and takes a deep interest in local 
progress and advancement. He is ever ready to 
assist in the promotion of social and benevolent 
enterprise, and is widely known as a representa- 
tive and pulilic-s[)irited citizen. 



ANDEL VANCE, a prosperous general ag- 
\] riculturist, highly respected citizen, and 
native resident of Clay County, Mo., was 
born about five miles distant from his 
present home, in township 52, range 32, Novem- 
ber 2, 1837. Our subject is the son of Willis L. 
and Lovicia D. (Wilkerson) Vance, natives of 
Woodford County, Ky., where the father was 
born in 1816, and the mother in 1812. The father 
was reared upon a Kentucky farm until 1824, 
when he came with his parents to Missouri, where 
his father entered from the Government the farm 
upon which Handel Vance was born. Willis L. 
Vance, reared in the pioneer days of the State, en- 
joj'cd few educational advantages, his schooling 
being limited to brief instruction in the log 
schoolhouse of the primitive days. He married at 
twenty 3'ears of age, and at first worked four 
years on shares, but his father then dying, he re- 
ceived from the estate one hundred and sixt}' 
acres of land, to which he attended with careful 
thrift and industry until he had accumulated at 
the time of his death about six liundred acres, 
which he mostly devoted to farming and stock- 
raising. 

The father of our subject was a Whig before the 
Civil War, but a firm Democrat afterward. His 
wife passed away in 1882, and Willis Vance died 
in 1884, both deeply lamented as upright and use- 
ful citizens. Tliey were the parents of seven chil- 
dren, two of whom died young. Our subject, 
Handel, was the eldest; then followed Mary F., 
wife of J. L. SSeciirost, of Kansas; .John M., a resi- 
dent of Platte County, Mo.; Lucy A., wife of .1. 
C. Wilkerson; and William J. The paternal grand- 
father, Handel Vance, in whose honor our subject 
was named, was a farmer by occupation, but a 



stone-mason by trade. He was twice married, bis 
wives being sisters, named Collins; the second 
partner of his joys and sorrows was Mary, the 
youngest of the family. The paternal great-grand- 
father was a native of Germany, and never learned 
to speak the English language. Our subject re- 
mained with his parents until he attained his 
majority. He enjoyed the advantages of instruc- 
tion in the district schools of Clay County, and 
assisted upon his father's farm. At twenty-one 
years of age he went on a prospecting tour to 
Pike's Peak, Colo. He never realized any pe- 
cuniary advantage from his journey, but experi- 
enced many phase's of life novel and exciting, and 
in about ten months re-crossed the plains in com- 
pany with manj- others, also anxious to reach home 
again. 

In 1861, Mr. A'ance entered the Confederate 
army, serving under Capt. Dougherty, of Liberty, 
and participated in the battles of Lexington, Pea 
Ridge, and the second battle of Corinth, and 
numerous skirmishes. Our subject was never 
wounded in any of the engagements in which he 
took so active a part, but was captured near Jeffer- 
son City, and remained in prison for six months. 
At the expiration of this length of time Mr. Vance 
returned home. In January, 186.5, he was united 
in marriage with Miss Ruth A. Scott, daughter of 
W. W. and Ruth (Duncan) Scott. Two children 
blessed with their presence the pleasant home 
of Mr. and Mrs. Vance, but the little daughter 
died in infancy, Willis L., the only son, surviving 
to cheer his father's later years. The first wife of 
Mr. Vance having passed away, he again married, 
his present wife having been Miss Lizzie J. Ander- 
son, a daughter of Horace P. and Louan (Warder) 
Anderson. The great-grandfather of Mrs. Vance 
was Elias Anderson, a native of Scotland, who, 
emigrating to America, made his home in New 
Jersey, where George A. Anderson, the paternal 
grandfather was born, but early leaving the Stale 
of his nativit}', settled permanently in Kentucky, 
where he resided until his death. The father and 
mother of Mrs. Vance were both natives of Ken- 
tuck}-, and came to Missouri in 1835, their daugh- 
ter Lizzie being born in Clay County in 1839. 

Mrs. Lizzie Vance luas been the mother of seven 



334 



PORTRAIT ANT) BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



children, four of whom died in early j'cars. Louan, 
Horace and Lovicia are the surviving son and 
daughters. Mr. Vance is a valued member of 
the Baptist Church, and both he and his excellent 
wife are foremost in the promotion of good works. 
Our subject is politically a Democrat, and a firm 
adherent of the party. In beginning iife for him- 
self, Mr. Vance first rented land located in Clinton 
County, but after a time bought the fine farm of 
two hundred acres where he now resides, and has 
brouglit the fertile soil up to a high state of cul- 
tivation. An able, energetic and industrious cit- 
izen of undoubted integrit}' of character, our 
subject worthily enjoys the confidence and esteem 
of the entire community among whom his busy 
life is passed. 



'^ 



^^ 'FALLON DOUGHERTY. Elsewhere in this 
I )l volume will be found a biographical sketch 
^^^ of L. 15. Dougherty, and in connection 
therewith is a brief mention of Maj. John Dough- 
erty, the father of our subject, and one of the 
most prominent pioneers of Missouri. Years ago 
he was engaged in the pursuit of raising buffaloes 
in Clay County, where now may be seen finely- 
improved farms and enterprising cities. His stock 
originally consisted of but one cow, but he con- 
stantly added to it until he had as many as twen- 
ty-three head. 

One incident m the ]\Lijor's life is worthy of 
special mention. He sheared some wool from one 
of his best buffaloes, which his wife carded, spun 
and knit into a pair of mittens and a pair of 
socks. This he sent to the great Whig chief and 
statesman of that day, of whom he was a great ad- 
mirer and from whom he received a most compli- 
mentary acknowledgment. After the death of 
Mr. Clay, they were contributed by his heirs to 
the cabinet of "Reliques of Public Men" at Wash- 
ington, and are now on exhibition beneath a glass 
cover, with a card giving their history, in the 
Patent Office in the Interior Department Building. 

The mother of our subject bore the maiden 



name of Mary Hertzog, and was born in Philadel- 
phia, Pa. Her parents, Peter and Catherine Hert- 
zog, were of German parentage and descent, and 
the father was born in that countrj'. Mrs. ]\Iary 
Dougherty resided for many years upon the old 
homestead, which consisted of eleven hundred and 
sixtj^-three acres, but late in life she returned to 
Philadelphia, where her death occurred March 27, 
1873, aged seventy-four years. She was during 
most of her active life a member of the Presbyte- 
rian Church, and was ever devoted to its inter- 
ests. 

The subject of this sketch is a prominent farmer, 
stock-raiser and stock-dealer of Liberty. He was 
born in St. Louis, Mo., June 5, 1832, and was but 
a child when his parents removed to Clay County, 
where he was principally^ reared. His education 
was acquired at William Jewell College, where he 
studied for four years and from which institution 
he was graduated. After the close of his college 
course, he returned to the old Dougherty home- 
stead and assisted his father in its cultivation un- 
til the death of the latter. The property was 
bequeathed to him and is still in his possession. 
Its entire acreage is well improved, with the ex- 
ception of about two hundred acres of timber, and 
is well adapted to the raising of stock, to which it 
is principally devoted. All the improvements are 
first-class, among them being a comfortable resi- 
dence, good barns and substantial outbuildings. 

November 30, 1865, Mr. Dougherty and Miss 
Sarah Nutter were united in marriage. Mrs. 
Dougherty is the daughter of James and Eliza 
Nutter, early settlers of Clay County, and was 
educated at the Liberty Female Seminary. They 
have two children: Katie, who is the wife of C. W. 
Moore, of Kansas City; and Mary Hertzog, who is 
in school. In 1881 Mr. Dougherty removed to 
Liberty, in order to secure the best educational 
advantages for his daughters, and has since made 
his home in this city. He occupies a spacious 
two-story brick residence, where he and his cul- 
tured wife entertain their many guests. Religi- 
ously they are identified with the Baptist Church, 
of which they are prominent members. 

In his social connections. Mr. Dougherty is a 
member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to 



i!^^ 



mm: 
=^^ 



X ' 

l***'"^'"^**''*, 




^rT'f-u::^cj<f 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPIHCAL RECORD. 



337 



the Chapter and Conimandery at Liberty. He is 
a man of close observation and wide range of 
thought, and the great public issues of the day, 
which merit the attention of all public-spirited 
citizens, receive from him the same earnest 
thought which he gives to his private business 
affairs. In former years he was associated in prin- 
ciple and ballot with tiie Whig party, later affili- 
ated with the Democratic, but is now a Prohibi- 
tionist. 

=v / 



^P^ilOMAS M. GASII, an enterprising general 
(r<^\\ ™Pi"t'hant and successful business man, and 
*5^g>7 for tli6 past six years the popular Postmas- 
ter at Claytonville, Clay County, has for a full 
score of years occupied his present office as Jus- 
tice of the Peace, ever discharging the various 
duties pertaining to the position with ability and 
integrity. Our subject is the son of Bernard P. 
and Isahelle (Barr) Gash, and was one in a family 
of eight brothers and sisters who gathered around 
the hearth of the old homestead many years ago. 
The father was a native of Maryland, and in later 
life removing to Kentucky, died in the latter 
State in the year 1838. 

In 1858, about a. score of years after the death 
of his father, Mr. Gash came to Missouri and lo- 
cated in Missouri City, where he remained for six- 
teen months. In the fall of 1859, he settled in 
Claytonville. His father had been a lifetime 
farmer and had trained him in the numerous du- 
ties of agriculture upon the old farm, whose one 
hundred and twenty-five acres under the skillful 
management of its owner yielded a bounteous 
crop j'ear after year. The father had also served 
as a soldier in the Canadian War, and in the vari- 
ous duties of life displayed in different occupa- 
tions the same capable and wise handling of busi- 
ness which has distinguished the career of our 
subject. 

Mr. Gash owns an excellent and valuable farm 
of one hundred and four acres, and is also the 
owner of village propcrtj'. Having in early life 



mastered the trade of a carpenter and builder, and 
also having acquired a knowledge of w.agon-mak- 
ing, he successfully followed these various voca- 
tions for a period of twenty years, but now 
devotes his time to agricultural pursuits and stock- 
raising, besides which he is occupied with other 
business cares and interests. Conducting a general 
store prosperously for the past six years, Mr. Gash 
has also faithfully served .as Postmaster at Clay- 
tonville. 

In 1851 our subject married Miss Eliza S\'lvia. 
a Kentucky lad}', who died in 1889, mourned by a 
large circle of friends. In 1891 Mr. Gash mar- 
ried for the second time, his present wife having 
been Mrs. Ida L. (Smith) Markle, of Kansas City. 
By his first wife he had six children, three of 
whom yet survive, viz: Dora, Lenora and Fauna G. 
These daughters are well known and highly re- 
spected, and occupy prominent positions socially. 
Mr. and Mrs. Gash are among the valued members 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are num- 
bered with the cheerful givers for the promotion of 
social and benevolent enterprises. Mr. Gash is a 
member of the Masonic fraternit}- and has been 
Master, Warden and Secretary of the lodge. Our 
subject is an ardent Democrat, and is interested in 
the national and local issues of the day. He is 
widely known as a progressive citizen and a man 
of sterling worth, and deservedly holds the esteem 
and confidence of a host of friends. 



*^^i 



1^, EV. WILLIAM FROST BISHOP. The sub- 
IWr ject of this notice is a young man of elo- 
'■^\ quence and i)ower in the pulpit, a pastor 
*^' imbued with zeal, and a friend to all who 
have need of sympathy and aid. His sermons 
abound in convincing truths, uttered with great 
earnestness; his logic is perspicuous, his oratory cap- 
tivating, and his popularity widespread. The 
Presbyterian Church at Liberty, of which he is 
pastor, is fortunate in securing the services of a 
minister so talented and faithful. 

Born in Petersburgh, Va., October 2, 1853, our 



338 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



subject is the son of Carter A. and Mary E. (Head) 
Bishop. Carter Bishop, a native of Virginia, was 
prominent in banking circles of that State, having 
filled the position of Cashier in some of the lead- 
ing biinks, and was also identified with the leading 
business enterprises. He was tlie son of Edward 
Bishop, a native of England and a planter in 
Prince George County, Va. The mother of our 
subject was the only child of Abel Head, who was 
born in Rhode Island, but was taken to Peters- 
burgh in infancy. Mr. Head was an active and 
prominent business man, of great probity and un- 
blemished reputation, and was the owner of con- 
siderable property. For nearly half a century he 
was an Elder in the Presbyterian Church, and his 
labors in that denomination were untiring. Strict 
in Sabbath observance, firm in his allegiance to the 
Westminster creed, and unyielding in his views of 
right, he passed his days, wronging no man. but 
seeking to do what was right in all things. 

Our subject is the third of five children, viz.: 
Abel H., a civil engineer in Virginia; Carter R., 
an educator at Owensboro, Ky., for ten years, now 
holding the position formerly occupied by his 
father as Cashier in a Petersburgh bank; Rev. Will- 
iam F., our subject; Mary E., wife of Rev. Joseph 
A. Smith, pastor of a Presbyterian Church at Bal- 
timore, Md.; and Charles E., a graduate of the 
University of Virginia, and also of that at Leipsic, 
Germany, which he attended for four years, taking 
the degree of Ph. D. 

Under the tuition of W. Gordon McCabe, a cel- 
ebrated educator of Petersburgh, our subject made 
commendable progress in his studies during boy- 
hood. Afterward he entered Hampden Sidney 
College, a famous Virginia institution, and took 
the honors of his class, receiving the degree of 
A. M. He then became a student in the Union 
Theological Seminary in Prince Edward County, 
Va., from which he was graduated in 1873. Fol- 
lowing tliis he crossed the ocean to Scotland and 
entered the University of Edinburgh, graduating 
in English literature and church history. Thence 
he proceeded to Germany and toolv the theological 
course in the University' of Jena. Returning to 
the United States, he was married in 1877 to Miss 
Leonora, daughter of LeKoy and Emily A. (Bart- 



lett) Roper. Her father was a native of Virginia, 
was a prominent business man of Petersburgii,aud 
an extensive dealer and operator in tobacco in the 
various markets. Her mother was a lineal de- 
scendant of Nathaniel Bartlett, one of the signers 
of the Declaration of Lidependence. 

After his marriage our subject was pastor of the 
Presbyterian Church at Ashland, Va., for seven 
years; tlien served as pastor for four years at Kan- 
sas City, Mo., and since September, 1891, has been 
pastor of tiie church at Liberty. Mr. and Mrs. 
Bishop are the parents of four children, viz.: Car- 
ter R., Bartlett R., Judith Joyce and Henry Roper. 



I^+^I 



yf? p]WIS J. WOOD, Jr., an energetic citizen 
I (^ and at present tiie valuable assistant in the 
ilL-^v ^ prosperous and well-known mercantile es- 
tablishment of De Berry & Co., at Smithville, was 
for thirteen years a most efficient and successful 
traveling salesman, and widely known throughout 
the Western States, especially in Colorado, for 
some time making Leadville his headquarters. 
Mr. Wood is a native of Smithville and was born 
in 1856. He is the son of Lewis J. and Mary 
(Duncan) Wood. His primary education was 
gained in the district schools of Clay County, and 
he afterward completed a business course in Spauld- 
ing's Commercial College of Kansas City, being 
graduated from that excellent institution in the 
latter part of 1871. He ambitiously and self-re- 
liantl}' attended the Business College in the even- 
ings and during the day clerked in the store of his 
brother Benjamin, who owned a hat and cap store 
in Kansas Citj-. 

In the fall of 1871, when our subject was about 
sixteen years of age, he began his travels as a 
salesman and covered an extensive territory west 
of the Missouri River. For three of the thirteen 
3'ears which he spent in this occupation he made 
his temporary home in Leadville, there establishing 
a fine trade and becoming thoroughly acquainted 
with the leading mercantile houses of the Far 
West. After Mr. Wood abandoned the vocation 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



339 



of acouimercial traveler he returned to his father's 
farm near Smithville. March 2, 1886, he was 
united in marriage with Miss C. AUie, dau,<,'hter of 
the late .1. 1). and Mary M. De Berry. As is gen- 
erally known, Mrs. De Berry is the senior member 
of the firm of general merchants widely known 
as De Berry & Co. The estimable and attractive 
wife of our subject is a native of Platte County, 
Mo., and enjoys the esteem and confidence of a 
large circle of sincere friends. 

The Iiapp3' home of Mr. and Mrs. Wood has 
been blessed by the birth of a charming little 
daughter, Bern ice, who is the light and sunshine 
of the household. Fraternally, our subject is as- 
sociated with the Masonic order and the Independ- 
ent Order of Odd Fellows at Smithville. Polit- 
ically, he has always been an active factor in the 
local issues of Missouri when resident in the State 
and, an ardent Democrat, is well able to defend the 
principles and platform of the party which to-day 
holds the political key to the advancing future of 
our great and prosperous American nation. A 
man of energy, self-reliance and earnest purpose, 
he Is tlioroughly alive to the issues of the hour, 
and, believing it his duty to take a deep interest 
in all matters pertaining to the public good and 
general welfare, is liberal in the support of relig- 
ious and educational enterprise. Ever ready to aid 
in the local progress and material advancement of 
the best interests of his home neigliborhood and 
locality, he is esteemed a true American citizen of 
sterling integrity of character. 



AMUEL MOORE, an enterprising and pros- 
perous agriculturist and highly esteemed 
jj citizen of Clay County, Mo., is a native of 
Woodford Countv, Ky., and was born in 
1842. His parents, John and Freelove (Williams) 
JNIoorc, were both native Kentuckians, the father 
having been born in Anderson County in 1814, 
and the mother in Woodford Count}' In 1811. 
John Moore had but veiy limited opportunities 



for acquiring an education, and at eighteen years 
of age began working out by the month upon a 
farm, which employment he continued for about 
eight years. In 1840, he was married in Ken- 
tuck}- to Mrs. Freelove (Williams) Darr, daugh- 
ter of William Williams, and made his home in 
AVoodford County until 1859, when he went to 
Platte County, Mo., where he rented land for one 
year, and tlien, removing to Clay County, bought 
four hundred and eighty acres near where our sub- 
ject now resides. Until 1806, he remained upon 
this farm, and then permanently made his home in 
Ray County, where he purchased one hundred and 
twentj- acres of improved land and lived upon it 
until his death, in April, 1892. 

The mother of our subject bore four children: 
Samuel was the eldest; Allen; Elizabeth, deceased, 
was the wife of George Newby; Henry was the 
youngest. IMrs. John Moore passed awa)' manj- 
jears before her husband, dying in 1878. The pa- 
ternal grandfather, David Moore, and his wife 
were Virginians, but emigrated to Kentucky when 
that State was yet terrorized by the Indians, and 
endured the privations and experiences of pioneer 
life. Our subject remained with his parents until 
he had attained manhood, and received an educa- 
tion in the district schools of his home neighbor- 
hood. Upon starting out to make his own way in 
the world, he rented a part of his father's farm in 
Clay County, and cultivated the soil of tlie old 
homestead until, in 1875, he purchased a partly im- 
proved farm of eighty acres, to which he has since 
added, until he now owns one hundred and twenty 
acres, most of which are under a high state of 
cultivation. Mr. Moore answered Gov. Jackson's 
call for State Guards at the time of the war, and 
served in the Confederate army under Gen. Price; 
he was also in the command of Col. Winston 
under Gen. Stein, and actively participated in the 
battles of Liberty Landing, Lexington and Pea 
Ridge. He was never wounded nor taken prisoner 
upon the field, but while home on a furlough was 
captured by the Federals, but was soon after re- 
leased. 

In 1862, Mr. Moore was united in marriage with 
Miss Martha, daughter of William and Nancy 
(Hawkins) Ross, who were natives of A'irginia and 



340 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Kentucky respectively, but early removed to Claj' 
County, Mo., in which State Mrs. Moore was born. 
Two children have blessed the marriage: John 
W., a promising j'oung man, who died at the age 
of twenty-two years; and Elizabeth, the wife of 
Hanson Allen McCracken. Our subject and his 
estimable wife are both worthy members of the 
Christian Church, and are ever foremost in the 
promotion of tlie good work and social and benev- 
olent enterprises of that religious organization. 
Politically, Samuel Moore is, as was his father be- 
fore him, a strong and earnest Democrat, interested 
in local and national issues. A long-time resident 
of his pleasant lionie in township 53, range 32, our 
subject is widely' known and, a true, earnest Chris- 
tian man, intelligent and progressive, has a large 
circle of friends and commands the confidence of 
the general public. 



1 



ERRY T. WILSON. It has long since been 
demonstrated that ability is not measured 
by age, and the subject of this sketch is 
proof that a young head can carry a more 
tlian average share of business sense. Our sub- 
ject is a member of the firm of J. T. Wilson & Co., 
dealers in general merchandise at Richmond. He 
was born in Ray County, Mo., at Millville, July 
10, 1860, and is the son of Philip and Charlotte 
(Lenx) Wilson, natives of Kentucky, who there 
married, but settled in this State in 1840. After 
their marriage the}' lived in Grape Grove Town- 
.ship, Ray County, where the father pursued his 
trade of blacksmith and at the same time managed 
his farm. His death occurred March 4, 1877. He 
was the son of Pleasant Wilson, a native of Ken- 
tucky and an early settler of Ray County, Mo. 

Our subject's mother was the daughter of Fred- 
erick Lenx, who was one of the earlj^ settlers of 
Kentucky. Mrs. Wilson makes her home at Mill- 
ville and is now (1893) in her sixty-second year. 
Jerry T. AVilson is the third of six children, four 
boys and two girls. After receiving a common- 
school education he began liis career as a clerk in 



the store of Graham & Craven, at Millville, with 
wiiom he remained from 1877 to January, 1880. 
In the latter year he came to Richmond and was 
employed by Fowler & Ewing, general merchants, 
from January, 1880, to .Inly, 1885, when he formed 
a partnership with W. A. Crane, under the firm 
name of J. T. Wilson & Co., engaging in the gen- 
eral merchandise business and continuing until 
September 1, 1888, when both partners sold to 
Crispin & Co. 

Mr. Wilson was then engaged by the firm and 
remained with it until Blay 7, 1892, when he 
formed his present partnership with W. H. Kellai-, 
under the firm name of J. T. Wilson & Co., gen- 
eral merchants. The establishment is 24x100 feet, 
and is admirably adapted to the business for which 
it is utilized. Mr. Wilson was married March 14, 
1888, to Miss Cora L. Pierce, of Carrollton, Mo., 
daughter of William Pierce. Mrs. Wilson is a 
native of Carrollton County, and has borne her 
husband one child, a daughter, Alline. In their 
religious connections Mrs. Wilson is a member of 
the Baptist Church and Mr. Wilson is identified 
with the Christian Church, both being actively in- 
terested in church work. They have a cozy home 
at the corner of Lexington and Thornton Ave- 
nues. Politically, Mr. Wilson is a Democrat, and 
is a public-spirited man who ever maintains an in- 
terest in enterprises ealcidated to enlianec the 
progress of the city. 



i>-^^<m^-^- 



\T] AMES R. AKERS. A careful man of busi- 
iness, honest in his dealings, considerate 
^..^i toward others, and an exemplary man in 
^^fJ walk and conversation, Mr Akcrs is highly 
esteemed in the community in which he lives. A 
resident of the village of Camden, Ray County, 
he was born within four and one-half miles of his 
present location, where he carries on the business 
of a grocer. His parents were Joseph and Eliza- 
beth (Heard) Akers, the place of whose nativity is 
not certainly known, but the father was born in 
1795 ;ui(l the motlici- in 1805 and both were reared 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGKAWnCAL RECORD. 



341 



upon farms in the timbered part of Ken tuck}'. 
Tlieir education was quite limited, altliougli tlie 
fatiier was. a ver^- good penman. 

The parents of our subject were married in Ken- 
luclvy in 1828 and soon tliereafter came to Mis- 
souri, settling in Saline Count}-. The father was 
a carpenter and [jursued that trade for some time 
after moving to this .State. He entered land near 
Camden and lived there a few years; then pur- 
chased more, east of Camden, so that he had three 
hundred and forty-two acres in all. Afterward he 
embarked in the commission business on the river, 
being probably the first commission man in the 
count}', and the chief commodities in which he 
dealt were tobacco and hemp. 

Joseph Akers was a member of Richmond 
Lodge No. 57, A. F. A: A. M. He was a Whig, 
with all the ardor that stamped the followers of 
Clay, Harrison, Ta3'lor and Scott. Five children 
came to bless his household, namely: Sarah, Mrs. 
Robert McCann; Catharine; James, our subject; 
Mary, Mrs. Henderson McGonigal; and Marion. 
All are deceased with the exception of our subject. 
The father died when our subject was but eight 
years old, and his wife subsequently married Al- 
bert Cook. 

Our subject left his home in 1852, going across 
the plains to California, in company with seven- 
teen others, all with ox-teams and wagons. The 
part}' consumed five months and twenty days in 
the trip, and the provisions giving out, they had 
to pay $32 per hundred for flour. Mr. Akers lo- 
cated in Butte County, and mined for a short 
time. Hut making little money at that occupation, 
he hired out as a teamster to a fluming company, 
with which lie worked for one season, and was 
then employed as a collector of foreign taxes. 
The latter work was extremely hazardous, his life 
being almost in constant jeopardy; so after six 
months thus occupied, he resigned and turned his 
face homeward, going by way of the sea to New 
York and thence by rail to Missouri. He settled 
upon the farm left him by his father and remained 
there until November 18, 1866, except the time he 
was in the I'nion army. At the date, named lie 
entered the mercantile business at Camden, in 
which lie has continued ever since* meeting some 



reverses, such being inseparable, it would seem, 
from all business enterprises; yet steadily advanc- 
ing, until now in a store 20x50 feet, well stocked 
with groceries, he conducts a very satisfactory bus- 
iness. 

Our subject was married December 9, 1857, to 
Malinda M., daugliter of Lloyd and Rachael (Cox) 
Cooper. Eight children were born of the union: 
John T., George R., Walter K., Melissa, Mary E. 
(deceased), William T., and two that died young. 
Mr. Akers and his wife are consistent members of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church of Camden. He 
is a member of Lodge No. 444, A. F. & A. M., of 
Orrick. The teachings of the Democratic party 
are in entire harmony with his views, and his vote 
and influence are freely given to its support. He 
entered the Union army in Company C, Fifty-first 
Regiment Enrolled Militia, in 1862, and took part 
in several engagements. He was taken prisoner 
at the battle of Glasgow, conveyed to St. Louis, 
but soon returned to his home, never having been 
discharged. 



J^UGUSTUS CORNTHWAIT, our subject, 
^^1 \ '* ^ fii'™ believer in the teachings of Chris- 

11 14) tianity and in the brotherhood of man. 
,^ Pursuing the occupation of farming and 

neglecting no duty pertaining thereto, he finds 
time in the midst of his labors for reading and re- 
flection; hence by his large fund of information is 
able to exert an influence for good upon his com- 
munity. He was born in Butler County, Ohio, in 
1844, and is the son of Francis and Margaret 
Cornthwait. 

The father of our subject was a native of Penn- 
sylvania, born in 1799, while the mother, a native 
of Butler County, Ohio, was born in 1805. The 
former was a son of John Cornthwait, a native of 
Kendal, England, who came to the United States 
in about 1795, being married at the time of his 
emigration. The father of our subject came to 
Butler County, Ohio, with his parents in 1804, 



342 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and received a slight amount of seliooling in the 
common schools, supplementing the few months of 
instruction he obtained with years of study, until 
he became very apt in reading, writing and arith- 
metic. He remained with his parents until he at- 
tained his majority, learning the occupation of a 
farmer, which he continued all his life. 

At the age of twenty-one, the father of our sub- 
ject purchased land from his father and began 
married life, selecting for his life partner a Miss 
Cowgill, and this lady bore him six children, 
namely: Thomas; Jane, Mrs. I. Carr, deceased; 
Isabella, deceased, formerly the wife of Mr. Carr; 
Mary, wife of R. Busenbark; P^lizabeth, who mar- 
ried Benjamin Hartley; and Sarah, the wife of 
William Peck. After the death of his first wife, 
tlie father married the daughter of Robert Bone, 
and she bore him seven children: One who died 
when young; Robert L., John F., William H. (de- 
ceased), Francis (deceased), David, and Augustus, 
our subject. Until his death, which occurred in 
1867, the father was engaged in farming, with the 
exception of two years, when he was employed in 
the gristmill business. Both he and his wife were 
members of the Christian Church, in which they 
were prominent workers. In politics, he was a 
stanch Republican, upholding the principles of 
that body upon auj' and all occasions. The faith- 
ful wife and mother survived her husband until 
1885, when she too died. 

Our subject was educated in the common schools 
of his district and remained with his parents until 
the death of his father, during which time he 
learned his life occupation of farming. He began 
life for himself by I'enting his father's farm, and 
after the death of that parent in 1869 he went to 
Richland County, 111., where he rented land for 
two years, then purchased a small farm adjoining 
the town of Noble, where he remained for ten 
years. At the expiration of that time, he removed 
to Riley County, Kan., where he bougiit one hun- 
dred and sixty acres of land and remained there 
until he came to his present home, in 1888, where 
he now has one hundred and twent}^ acres. 

Mr. Cornthwait married Margaret Cunningham, 
a native of Union County, Ind., born in 1849, and 
the daughter of James and ('harh)tti' (Kernoble) 



Cunningham, the former of Irish parentage, born 
in 1807 and dying in 1862. The mother, a native 
of Indiana, was born in 1828 and died in 1879. 
Four children have been born to the union of Mr. 
and Mrs. Cornthwait, namely: Albert F., Mabel D., 
Edward O. and Bertha E. Our subject and his 
wife are devout followers of the teachings and 
doctrines of Alexander Campbell. Like his fatlier 
before him, our subject votes and works for the 
Republican party. Sociall}', he is connected with 
the Masonic fraternity at Richmond, having joined 
the order in the State of Illinois in 1870. 



/^ YRUS WRIGHT. In the prime of life and 
(l( _ full of industry and enterprise, our subject 
^^^^ has all the natural and acquired essentials for 
success in the occupation he follows. The condi- 
tion of his farm and the yield of the harvest year 
by year prove his good judgment 'and application. 
His birth occurred in La Fayette County, Mo., May 
26, 1850, a son of James V. and Arabella Wright, 
natives of Kentucky, born about 1816 and 1826, 
respectively. 

The father of our subject grew to manhood on 
a farm in Kentucky with his parents and received 
a good common-school education for that early 
day. At the age of twenty-one he began the bat- 
tle of life for himself, and soon thereafter married 
a Miss West, who bore him four children, all of 
whom are deceased except Lucian B. After the 
death of his first wife the father married the lady 
who became the mother of our subject. Miss I. 
Theaoble, an orphan, both of his marriages taking 
place in Kentuck3^ By his last marriage he had 
six children, all of whom are now living, namely: 
Martha J.; Cyrus, our subject; Amanda J., the wife 
of W. R. Renick; Elizabeth. Mrs. W. T. Davidson; 
Thompson B. and Katie S. 

In 1850, the father came to Missouri', landing in 
Lexington in March of that year, having made the 
journey by boat. He remained near Lexington 
ore year and then removed to Carroll County, 
where he bougiit land on the present site of Nor- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



343 



VOIP. Later he platted this land s.nd sold it in 
town lots. So well did he like this location that 
he still makes it his home. He and his wife are 
members of the Old Baptist Church, with which 
the^v were connected in early life. In politics, he 
is a strong Republican and upholds the principles 
of his party upon anj' and all occasions. James 
Wright was the son of John and Dclila Wright, 
natives of Kentucky who came to Missouri. 

Al the age of twenty -one, our subject began life 
for himself by working on a farm for one year, 
and then in partnersiiip with a brother, now de- 
ceased, rented land for two years, after which he 
rented alone until his marriage, which important 
event occurred December 19, 1880, to Fannie E. 
Kenick, a daughter of James AV. and Willie A. 
(Warder) Renick. Four children have blessed 
this union, namely: Fannie E., Cyrus R,, Lucien 
M. and Dasie M. His connection, religiously, is 
with the Methodist Episcopal Church South, in 
which he is a faithful and devout member. In 
politics be is a strong Democrat find holds to the 
platform of that party upon an}* and all occasions. 
The education of our subject was received for the 
most part at home and he increased his knowledge 
by subsequent extensive reading, so that at the age 
of twenty-seven he began teaching, adoi)ting that 
calling in 1885, since which time he has taught 
every winter in tiie Ray County district schools. 



=^ EORGE J. GARDNER. No fact of Ameri- 
can civilization is more striking than the 

Jf^ millions of farms and farm houses occupied 
by their owners. Here oppression and landlords 
are unknown, and the American farmer is the most 
independent of men. Well known among this 
class to the people of his section is our subject, 
whose property is on section 28., township 52, 
range 27, Ray County. Our subject w.as born in 
Ravenna, Portage County, Ohio, in 1836, and is 
the son of William and Abi Gardner. The father 
was a native of Berkshire County, Mass., where he 
was reared on a farm until lie reached the age of 



fifteen, when he began to learn the trade of a 
shoemaker. At the age of twenty -one the father 
of our subject married Abi Webster. Shortly af- 
ter his marriage he lemoved to Ohio, in 1832, and 
located at Freedom, where he operated a boot and 
shoe store for some time, after which he removed 
to Ravenna, in the same State, where he conducted 
a similar establishment for a number of years. 
Finally he settled upon a farm, devoted his entire 
attention to agriculture, and died there in 1868. 
His wife survived him many years, her death oc- 
curring in 1891. They were the parents of seven 
children, four of whom are now 'living, our sub- 
ject being the sixth. In religion the father was a 
F^niversalist, having little patience with the doc- 
trines of eternal punishment in a hell of fire and 
brimstone. His wife was a member of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church. His sympathies were 
strongly enlisted in favor of temperance, and his 
attacks upon the liquor traffic were earnest and 
often eloquent. In early life he was a Jackson ian 
Democrat, afterward a Free Soil party man, .and, 
finall\', a Republican. 

When about twenty years of age our subject be- 
came a clerk in the store of his father, having 
been qualified for the work education.ally by a 
protracted course of training in the public schools. 
He continued in the store with his father until the 
removal to the farm. In 1856 he came West, and 
settled at Warsaw, Hancock County, 111., where he 
engaged in a general mercantile trade on his own 
account for fourteen years. Thence he proceeded 
to Clinton County, Mo., and after a few years 
settled in- Ray County, where he h:is resided ever 
since, giving his attention to farming and stock- 
raising. 

In 1880 Mr. Gardner married Mrs. Nancy E. 
(McClain) Wiley, daughter of Ebenezer JlcClain, 
a native of Washington County, Pa. Her father 
w.as tlie son of John McClain, a native of Ireland, 
who came to America before the Revolutionarv 
War, and married Martha Wilson after his arrival 
in this countiy. The wife of Ebenezer McClain 
was Jane, daughter of John McMurray, a native 
of Ireland. Mr. McClain was a farmer by occupa- 
tion and lived and died in Washington County, 
Pa., his death occurring in 1867, at the age of 



341 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



seven tj-five; his wife passed away in 1878, aged 
seventy-eight. He was a member of the Presby- 
terian Churcli and died a firm believer in its 
teaching. The first husband of Mrs. Gardner was 
Tappen W. Wiley. Our subject had been married 
twice previous to his last union, and his second 
wife bore him one son, James W. 



^^ 



'illoSEPH II. IIAYNES, our subject, is a 
liighly respected farmer, wliose industry, 
a|)plication and close attention to his own 
Ij^i/y affairs, together with a kind and sympatlietic 
nature, have won for him a host of personal 
friends. He was born near his present place of 
residence in township 52, range 27, in Ray Countj', 
in 1846, being the son of James P. and Jane 
(Scliooler) Haynes. The paternal grandparents of 
our subject, Joseph and Sarah Haynes, natives of 
Tennessee, were reared to farm life and alwa.ys en- 
gaged in that occupation. They came to Raj^ 
County, Mo., and entered land from tiie Govern- 
ment near the present site of the city of Richmond. 
They were earnest members of the Cumberland 
Presbyterian Church. The political opinions of 
Grandfather Haynes were those of Henry Cla)-, he 
being an old-line Whig. 

The father of our subject was born in Tennessee, 
about 1815, and was reared in his naiive State, 
where he attended the public scliools. In his 
youth he removed with his parents to Ray County, 
where he took up the greater portion of the old 
home farm from the Government. In this county, 
he married the daughter of IS'atlian and Sarah 
Schooler, and they reared a famil}- of six children, 
namel}-: our subject; George R.; James H.; Rosabel, 
deceased, formerly the wife of William Misener,- 
who died leaving one child; Mary E., wife of S. M. 
Meadows; and John A. The father began life with- 
out capital and for several years lie followed the 
profession of a teacher, after which he embarked in 
agricultural pursuits. Politics always liad an inter- 
est for him, his afliliations being with the Demo- 
cratic party. He served a number of terms as .lustice 



of the Peace and was Public Administrator at the 
time of his death. By economy and industry, he 
had accumulated three hundred and fifty-seven 
acres at the time of his demise, in 1886. His de- 
votion to the Presbyterian Church, of which he 
was a member, was strong. He was a Mason, hold- 
ing his membership in the lodge of Master Masons 
at Richmond. 

Our subject began life for himself on the home 
farm and remained there until his marri.age, in 
1870, to Mary E., daughter of Pitman H. and Su- 
san (Sherwood) Frazier. His first investment in 
land was the purchase of forty acres, and later 
thirty more, from his father. He is a Presbyterian, 
holding membership with the cliurch in the neigh- 
boriiood of liis home. The Democratic party plat- 
form enunciates views in accord with his own and 
he alwa^'S votes that ticket. The niece of Mrs. 
Haynes, Ethel Frazier, a young lady, makes her 
home with our subject. Tlie family occupies a 
high place in the regard of a large circle of ac- 
quaintances and is one of social prominence. 



THOMAS N. FOWLER. A prosperous farmer 
of section 17, township 54, range 29, of Ray 
County, our subject is ver}' highly esteemed 
by all who know him for his many fine qualities- 
He is the son of M. R. and E. M. (Moss) Fowler. 
His father was a very prominent farmer and stock- 
raiser of Ray County, Mo., and owned two thou- 
sand seven hundred acres of arable land. Our subject 
is one of seven children, one of whom is deceased. 
The father was a Democrat in politics, and took 
an active interest in the progress of his party. A 
consistent member of the Christian Church, he was 
greatly esteemed for his zeal and piety. He was a 
Lieutenant in the late war, whe ve he won distinc- 
tion for bravery, and undcrw^ H the privation 
of a prisoner. His wife, to whc e was married 
in 1864, was a daugliter of A. Moss, a citizen 
of Ray County. 

Our subject started out in life for himself nine 



^,^ ^^3??^ 








PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



347 



yeai^s ago. and now has four hundred and eighty 
acres of land, all arable, and is regarded as a very 
promising citizen and farmer of Kay County. He 
carries on general farming and stock-raising, and 
displays very good judgment in the management 
of his propert3\ Mr. Fowler was married April 20, 
1889, to Miss Nellie Page, who die(i August 7, 
1891; a child born toiler died on the 15th day 
of the same month and year. His wife was a most 
estim.ible and lovable woman, and a devoted mem- 
ber of the Christian Church. Our subject is a 
Democrat, and maintains a deep interest in public 
matters, taking care to inform himself upon the 
issues of the day, concerning which he talks intel- 
ligently and interesting!}'. 

Mr. Fowler is a man of much general information, 
having enjoyed the advantages of education and 
subsequent reading. His schooling was received 
at Kirksville, Mo., in the teachers' institute and 
the mercantile department. While the duties of 
the farm are somewhat arduous, he finds time for 
reading the newspapers as well as books, and to 
digest what he reads to his own profit and that of 
others. The work of improvement is constantly 
going on upon his farm, and the value of the place 
is steadily increasing. He has a property of 
which any man may be proud, and his energy and 
thrift indicate strongly that he will continue to 
add to the value of the farm, either by further en- 
largement or the improvement of what he has, or 
both. 



ylLLIAM C. BAIUU, M. D., has been for 
nearl}' thirty years a practicing physician 
in Carroll Count}', and now makes his home 
in Tina. He is a local minister in the Methodist 
Episcopal Church South, having preached during 
the p.ast fifteen years. He has alw.iys taken a very 
zealous interest in church affairs, and was ordained 
a Deacon in 1891, which position he still holds. 

Our subject is of Scotch descent. His father, 
.lames Baird, was a native of Kentucky, and one 
of the e.nrly honored pioneers of I^incoln County, 
Mo. He married Miss Martha A. Briggs, also of 

17 



Kentucky, whose father, Benjamin Briggs, was a 
leading man in that State. The Doctor was born 
in Lincoln County, this State, July 9, 1838, and 
was one of five children. In his boyhood he at- 
tended the district schools near his birthplace. 
Upon arriving at mature j'oars he concluded to 
adopt the medical profession, and in pursuance of 
that resolve commenced a course of study under 
Dr. G. P. Herndon. He then took a course of lec- 
tures at the St. Louis Medical College, and in 1865 
was graduated from Rush ^Medical College of Chi- 
cago. In 1862 Dr. Baird and Miss .Janie L. Erick- 
son were married. Mrs. Baird was a daughter of 
William L. Erickson, of Kentucky. Seven children 
were born to them, of whom six are living: .James 
II.; William E.; Mattie, wife of William Hender- 
son; Emma L., now Mrs. .James J^. Cramer; Ethel, 
wife of Edmoud Walker, who is engaged in farm- 
ing; and Thomas, now attending school. The 
faithful wife and mother was called to her final 
abode November 6, 1877. In 1880 the Doctor mar- 
ried his present wife, Mrs. Martha J. McCall, daugh- 
ter of John M. Bradon, of this county. 

Dr. Baird is an uncompromising Prohibitionist, 
and has always been very temperate in all his 
habits. He is well known throughout this and ad- 
joining counties as a minister of no mean repute, 
and in the medical profession he ranks high among 
his brethren. In 186.5, socm after his graduation, 
the Doctor commenced practicing at Mandcville, 
where he was located for a period of about twent}-- 
seven years. He removed to Tina in September, 
1892, and has here already acquired a large gen- 
eral practice in both medicine and surgery. He is 
a member of Mandeville Jjodge No. 373, A. F. it 
A. M., of which he was Master for thirteen years. 



I^+^I 



ylLLIAM G. ESTILL, M. D. The healing 
art, old as the infirmities of man, has al- 
ways engaged the best talent of the race, 
whose search for medicaments has extended to 
every part of the globe, taking in the waters of the 
dcci), as well as the tlungs that grow upon the 



348 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



eartli. As a class, physicians, especially those of 
the past few centuries, have shown themselves 
touched with tiic spirit of man's weakness, and 
hence great sympathy and kindness have stamped 
their natures. Our subject, by his careful prepa- 
ration and continued investigations, united with 
a kind and considerate nature, seems pre-eminently 
fitted for tlie noble profession. 

Our subject was born in Clinton, Mo., January 
16, 1860, a son of William H. Estill, who was born 
in Madison County, Ky. William went at an 
early day to Clinton County, Mo., bought a farm, 
and married Miss Mary Jane, daughter of George 
Denny, an old resident of the county. The father 
of our subject had three daughters and four sons, 
all but one of whom are still living: John, who is 
in Western Kansas; Mary, the wife of Mr. Har- 
grave, living in Kansas; Moses, living in Gentry 
County, Mo.; Dr. J. T. Estill, living at Colorado 
Springs; Alice, wiio married Dr. James, of Lawson, 
and is deceased; and Lulie, wife of Edward Rear- 
den. The father was an active member of the 
Presbyterian Church. 

Our subject was reared in Clinton County and 
educated at Liberty, Mo. After leaving school 
he was a clerk in a dry-goods store at Liberty for 
four years, then removed to Kay County, where 
he became a clerk in a drug store, at the same 
time beginning the study of medicine. Later he 
entered the Missouri Medical College at St. Louis, 
from which he graduated in 1883 and located at 
Vibbard,Mo. There he practiced for four years and 
then came to Lawson, Ray County, in 1887, where 
he has since remained, with the exception of two 
years spent in practice in Carrcill County. Ills 
practice now extends throughout Lawson and tlie 
surrounding country, where he is held in the high- 
est esteem by all who know him. 

Dr. Estill was married in 1883 to Miss Alice E., 
the daughter of W. W. Smith, a prominent citizen 
of Lawson. Two children have been born to Dr. 
and Mrs. Estill: Florence K. and Raymond P. The 
Doctor is a member of the Knights of Pythias and 
is Chancellai'-Commander of Castle Lodge No. 
129, of Lawson. lie is a member of the Ray 
County Medical Society, and was also a member of 
the State Medical Society. In churcli affairs he is 



very active, being much interested in church and 
Sund.ay-school work, having been Superintendent 
of the latter and now acts as teacher. He is a 
Democrat, but does not take a very prominent 
part in politics. 

Recently the Doctor completed a very neat and 
attractive brick office building, which occupies a 
good position, and here he is located. Dr. Estill 
has a large practice and is regarded .as one of the 
principal physicians of Ray County. The entire 
community holds him in the highest esteem and 
he is what m.ay be termed a growing man, his ac- 
(|uaintance and influence constantly increasing. 



'^ ANIEL L. SETTLE, our subject, has a 
fondness for horses that manifests itself 
in making a specialty of high-bred ani- 
mals designed to become pets and favor- 
ites of future owners. It may be set down as a 
safe statement that such a man is humane, kind 
and considerate, for only such can successfully 
carry on such an important business. Mr. Settle 
has a fine farm in township 53, range 27, Ray 
County, within about one mile of which he was 
born Novembers, 1847. His paternal grandfather, 
Louis Settle, was a native of Fauquier County ,Va., 
a farmer and a brave, )5atriotic soldier of the Rev- 
olutionary War. and spent his life in the Old 
Dominion. 

The father of (lur subject, Hiram P. Settle, was 
born in Fauquier County in 181.5 and was one of 
two children, his sister Elizabeth being the wife of 
Ebenezer McDonald. His parents dying when he 
was a child, he was reared by an aunt, who after 
u-iviug him the advantages of the common school, 
bound him out while yet a lad to learn the trade 
of a tailor. He served a full apprenticeship of 
seven years and worked some years afterward as a 
journeyman, when he turned his attention to 
farming. He married Juliet A., daughter of Dan- 
iel and Mary (ILarring) Duval, and not long after 
that event, November 17, 1844, he reached R.ay 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



349 



Count}', Mo., having brought his family in wagons 
across the country from his native State. Fifty- 
seven days were required for tlie journey, and he 
brought all his earthly effects with him, including 
ten slaves. In the spring of the following j'car, 
he bouglit the farm upon which he spent the re- 
mainder of his days and where our subject was born, 
a portion of it being purchased from the Govern- 
inoiit. 

The thrift of Hiram Settle was such that he ac- 
cumulated in all five iiundred and twenty-five 
acres. Seven children were born to him and his 
wife, three of whom are living, namely: Emil}', 
wife of D. C. Allen, living at Libert}', Mo.; Daniel, 
our subject; and William E., who married Clara 
Pinckard and resides at Richmond, Mo. He was 
a member of Richmond Lodge No. ,57, F. & A. M. 
In polities he affiliated with the Democrats and al- 
ways voted the ticket of that party. Death called 
him from earth in September, 1888; his wife sur- 
vives, having reached the advanced age of eighty, 
and makes her home with her 3'oungest sou at 
Richmond. 

Our subject remained under the home roof until 
his twenty-seventh year and received a good com- 
mon-school education in his youth. At the age 
above named he married Miss Nannie W., daughter 
of AVilliam A. and Mary (Burford) Byers, natives 
respectively of Harrodsburgh andGarranl County, 
Ky. Mrs. Settle was born and reared in Harrods- 
burgh, K.v.,and when eleven years old was orphaned 
by the death of her mother. In the spring of 1873, 
she came to Ray County with her father, being one 
of tlie four children that accompanied him. They 
were Mary, wife of Alexander Royston; Nannie 
W., wife of our subject; William H. and John E. 
]Mr. and Mrs. Settle are tlie parents of three chil- 
dren; Mary, Juliet L., and AVilliam P., who died 
in infancy. 

Mr. Settle began life for himself by renting a 
portion of his father's farm, and at his death 
came into possession of the farm of one hundred 
and sixty acres which he now occupies. Tiie [ilace 
was then in an unimproved state, but he has by 
diligent effort brought it into a good condition of 
cultivation and has erected upon it a substantial 
house, barn and outbuildings. He carries on with 



general farming stock-raising and feeding and 
makes a specialty of saddle-hor.ses, having brought 
many of them from Kentucky to Ray County. 
Mr. Settle is a member of the Baptist Church, 
where his influence is strongly felt and for good. 
Pie is in full accord with the views and principles 
of the leaders and platform of the Democratic 
party and has alw.ays supported its nominees. 



D. GANT, our suliject, is a man of es- 
tablished character and reputation, highly 
(^^f^ esteemed b}- a large circle of friends, and 
leading a life worthy to be cited as an ex- 
ample for others. Hjs farm is located on section 
3.5, township 54, range 28, in Ray County, and is 
well improved and under good cultivation. He is 
one of thirteen children, and was born in Orange 
County, N. C, in 1831. His brothers and sisters 
are: Eliza A., Spencer L., P^lizabeth Jane, Jackson 
D., William F., Samuel S., Wallace H., Julia A., 
and .John O'Kelly. The others are deceased. 

The father of our subject, James H. Gant. came 
to Ray County in 1838, and located nine miles 
west of Richmond, where he resided until 18.56. 
During that year he removed to Liberty, Clay 
Count}-, at which place he died in 1875, aged 
eighty-eight, having been born in 1787. His 
wife was Mary A., daughter of Samuel Stuart, and 
the married life of this couple was a happy one, 
each being well suited to the other. 

In 1869, our subject married Miss Ludia, daugh- 
ter of John Grimes. She was born June 11, 1849, 
at Jacksboro, E. Tenn., and was one among five 
children, one of whom died in infancy. Mr. 
Gant enjoyed but a limited training in the public 
schools of his district, and often farm duties came 
in the way of the lessons. The rural life is best 
suited to his taste and training, and he has always 
made his home in the country. He resides upon 
a fine tract, comprising three hundred and forty 
acres, where he carries on general farming and 
stock-raising. 

During the war the sympathies of Mr. (iaiil were 



350 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



witli the South, .iiid he served in the army for a 
time, but did not take part in any battles. Mr. 
and Mrs. Gant have been the parents of three 
children, as follows: May Y., born April 11, 1871; 
Daisy D., born November 11, 1875, who died Oc- 
tobers, 1877; and R.Kelly Guy, born January 29, 
1879. May has received excellent educational ad- 
vantages, having attended the Female College at 
Lexington, and also carried on her studies in St. 
Louis. R. Kelly Guy is at school, where he ex- 
poets to remain luitil he gaiu.s a thorough educa- 
tion. 

It would seem that the family of our subject has 
a very decided inclination toward the profession 
of medicine, as three of his brothers are physicians, 
and one brother has two sons who are doctors, and 
each of the others also has a son who is a practic- 
ing ph3'sician. One brother was for man^- years a 
leading physician, as he is now a prominent citi- 
zen, of Knoxville, having retired after achieving a 
decided success as a practitioner of medicine. Our 
subject and wife are active and earnest workers in 
the Methodist Episcopal Church South, of which 
they are members. Socially', he is a Mason, and 
has passed all the Chairs of Hiram Lodge No. 309. 
He is a Prohibitionist, and does all he can to keep 
out of the community the spirit of intemperance, 
which he considers the worst of evils. 



KS. .lULIA WILLIAMS, a lady of worth 
and ability and a life-long resident of Clay 
County, Mo., and now residing on section 
32, township 53, range 32, was born near 
Smithville, October 2, 1831. Our subject is the 
widow of the late lamented John AYilliams and a 
daughter of Abijah and Harriet (Brooks) Brooks, 
her father and mother having been cousins. Mr. 
Brooks was born in Clark County, Ky., and there 
attained manhood. His education was limited to 
the knowledge gained in the district schools of the 
early days, and his father dying when he was but 
eighteen 3'ears of age, he was obliged to assume the 
responsibilities of life long before he had reached 



liis majority. After a period of time which he 
spent in travel through the South and East, he 
was married, when about twenty-one years of age. 
His wife, who was born and educated in Massa- 
chusetts, emigrated to Ohio with her parents and 
was married in the Buckeye State. The father 
and mother of our subject immediately following 
their union made their home in Kentucky upon 
one hundred and twenty acres of land left to Mr. 
Brooks by the death of his father. After farming 
some time in Kentucky, he removed with his fam- 
ily to Missouri, and in 1826, journeying by wagons 
and horse-teams, they slowly made their way to 
Clay County and settled upon an eighty-acre farm 
near Smithville, which Mr. Brooks had purchased. 
An energetic and enterprising man, he entered 
land from the Government and invested in real 
estate, until at the time of his death he owned 
about one thousand acres. 

When the father of our subject came to Mis- 
souri, he was financially prosperous for those 
pioneer times, owning excellent horse-teams, three 
negroes and several hundred dollars in cash. He 
was a consistent member of the Primitive Baptist 
Church, and in political artiliations was an ardent 
Whig. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Abijali Brooks were born 
fourteen children: Samuel J.; Abijah, deceased; 
Elizabeth, deceased, wife of William Owen; Maiy, 
deceased, wife of S. G. T. Greenfield; John; Ben- 
jamin G., deceased; Thomas; Julia; Martha, de- 
ceased, wife of John Rogers; Virginia and Van 
W., deceased; Abigail, deceased, wife of H. H. Snail; 
Sarah E. and Harriet, deceased. The grandparents 
of our subject were Abijah and Nancy (Shraid) 
Brooks, the grandfather being a native of Ireland, 
who after emigrating to Canada lived there but a 
short time, and then located in Kentucky. Mrs. 
Julia (Brooks) Williams received her education in 
a rude little log schoolhouse of Clay County'. Thor- 
oughly trained in habits of useful industry which 
well fitted her to assume the care of a household, 
she arrived at twenty-three years of age and was 
then united in marriage with John Williams, who 
was born October 3, 1821, in Bourbon County, Ky., 
and who emigrated to Missouri in 1851, settling at 
once upon the present homestead in Clay County. 
Mr, Williams obtained a primary education in the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



351 



comtnoii s^cliools of his native State. His par- 
ents being in moderate circumstances, lie was earl}- 
obliged to make his own way in the world, and at 
the age of twenty-one years, having learned the 
carpenter's trade, followed the ()cpn|)ation of a 
builder until he came to Missouri. 

Mr. Williams arrived within the borders of the 
State with a small capital, but devoting himself 
exclusively to farming and stock-raising, he ac- 
cumulated a liandsome property and provided 
well for his family, leaving them at his death 
a valuaWe inheritance. He was a man of gen- 
erous nature, benevolent and kind-hearted and 
ever ready to aid the poor. He and his wife were 
both members of the Christian Church, our subject 
having joined this religious organization when 
she was but fifteen j'ears ofage. Mr. Williams was 
politically a Democrat and a firm adherent of the 
.leffersonian party. The onlj' oflicial po.sition he 
ever held was that of Justice of the Peace, an office 
the duties of which he discharged with ability 
and fidelity. He passed away January 7, 1885, 
deeply mourned by a large circle of relatives and 
friends, and as an earnest and public-spirited citi- 
zen his death was a great loss to the community. 
The pleasant home of Mr. and Mrs. Williams was 
blessed by the birtli of two sons, John and Albert. 
John, born August 23, 1865, is married to Miss 
Nannie Mooie, who is the daughter of L. P. and 
Jane (Pointer) Moore. Mr. and Mrs. John Williams 
have two children, J. Clifford and Arthur L. Al- 
bert Sidney Johnson Williams, born April 17, 1868, 
was united in marriage with Miss Lula Morton. 
The paternal grandparents of these two sons were 
James and Elizabeth (Wright) Williams. James 
Williams was born in Bourborn County, Ky., in 
Ma}-, 1797, and his good wife was born in the same 
county, April 11, 1798. The paternal great-grand- 
parents were Benjamin F.and Araminta (Mathena) 
Williams. 

B. F.Williams was born and reared in Baltimore, 
and his wife was also a native of Maryland. The 
Williams are of Phiglish ancestry, John Williams, 
the father of B. F., being a native of (Jreat Britain, 
who early in the eighteenth century, emigrating to 
America, settled in Maryland, probably engaging 
in farming, as he owned one liuudrod and sixtv 



acres of land where the city of Haltiintire now 
stands. He reared but two children, Henjamin 
F. and John. Benjamin F. Williams, the great- 
grandfather of the two sons of our subject, re- 
ceived a very limited education, and at eighteen 
years of age fought in the Revolutionary War 
with heroic ardor, and later in life engaged in the 
service of 1812 as Captain of a company detailed 
to carry supplie.s to the soldiers. He married in 
Maryland but immediatel}' made his home in Ken- 
tucky, where his four children, James, Elie, Mary, 
and Nancy, wife of John Elksliire, were born. 
The early home of the family w.is in Piourbon 
County, then thickly inhabited b}- the Indians. 
After a lifetime devoted to agricultural pursiiits in 
Bourbon County,B.F. Williams spent his last days 
in Highland County, Ohio, where he passed away 
at the age of ninet3'-eight years. Almost a cen- 
tenarian, he had witnessed the firm establishment 
of our national independence and lived to see the 
rapid progress of the early part of the present 
centur}'. His son James, the father of Mrs Will- 
iams' husband, improved the very scanty opportu- 
nities he enjoyed to obtain book-knowledge, and 
could read and write. His bo>'hood was also rich 
in i)ioneer experiences and he grew up courageous 
and resolute. At eighteen j-ears of age he enlisted 
in the War of 1812, and was in Ft. Mauldon when 
peace was declared. He then served a brief ap- 
prenticeshii) at the carpenter's bench and followed 
the trade until 1836, when he bought a farm in 
Kentucky and resided upon the one hundred and 
fifty-two acres until his death. His wife, the 
daughter of Robert AVright, bore him nine chil- 
dren: Julia, deceased, the wife of John T. Purdy; 
John, deceased, the husband of our subject; Mar- 
tha, deceased, the second wife of John T. Purdy; 
James; Elizabeth, deceased, the wife of William 
Sconce; William; Horace, deceased; Susan, wife of 
William Hamilton; and Mary. James Williams 
was a Whig in polities, and having lived a life of 
honest industry passed peacefully away in 1864. 
His wife, wiio survived him. reached ninety-two 
years. 

Our subject, liaving spent almost her entire life 
within a stone's-throw of her present home, is in- 
timately associated with the growth and improve- 



352 



POriTRAlT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



meiit of her immediate neighborhood and county. 
In the pioneer experiences of the State tlie wives 
and mothers pla_yed no unimportant part. It was 
the cheering word and the helping iiand of women, 
the daily presence that brightened tlie home, which 
made it possible for tlie husbands and fathers to 
face the hardships and privations of a new coun- 
try. Mrs. AVilliams has been an e3'e-witness of the 
development and steady march of progress in her 
locality, and, active in social, benevolent or relig- 
ious enterprises and also an excellent business 
woman, has been a prominent factor in the pro- 
motion of many of the leading interests of her 
home and is widely known and highly esteemed b^- 
a host of friends. 



*lT/ OIIN R. IIJT.L. a ftiimer and stock-raiser of 
I Richmond, resides in his comfortable home 
■ on North Main Street. His accumulations 
>;^// are ample for all his wants and he has a 
family of which he m.ay well be proud. He was 
born within two and one-half miles of Richmond, 
November 12, 1847. His father, .James Hill, was 
born in Jefferson County, Tenn., September 18, 
17ii.'), and was reared in the county of his birth, 
receiving his education in the common district 
schools. 

The paternal grandparents of our subject re- 
moved to Missouri about the year 1819, and the 
various members of the family took up Govern- 
ment land in this county. The mother of our 
subject, Charlotte (McGaugh) Hill, was a native 
of Tennessee and the daughter of John and Char- 
lotte McGaugh. She bore her husband seven 
children, of whom our subject is the youngest. 
Two of the number died young. Monroe and 
Thomas are deceased. The others are Levina, 
widow of Stephen Catron; Mary; and John R., our 
subject. The father was a farmer throughout his 
entire life, beginning that occupation without 
much capital, yet accumulating before his death 
four hundred acres of land. He was a member of 



the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, as was also 
his wife. His death occurred in 1869 and his wife 
followed him the next year. 

Our subject remained with his parents until 
their death, but began life for himself at the age 
of twenty, when he took charge of the farm. 
His education was limited to the schools of Ray 
County, in which he received a fairly good Eng- 
lish course of instruction. The farm of which he 
is owner contains one hundred and ninety acres of 
land and lies two and one-half miles east of Rich- 
mond. Upon that place he remained until a few 
months since, when he came to Richmond, where 
he also owns property on North Main Street. In 
October, 1880, he married Miss Isabel, daughter of 
John T. and Margaret Patton, who has borne hiin 
two children: Delia and Jennie T. Mrs. Hill is a 
member of the Christian Church, while our subject 
is identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church 
South. He is also a member of the lodge of 
Knights of Pythias. The Democratic party is the 
organization of his choice and he has always sup- 
ported its nominees. 



S. GOSLIN, a prosperous general agri- 
\\\A/// culturist and extensive stockraiser, resides 
^y^ upon the finelj- cultivated and well-im- 
proved homestead located upon section 30, town- 
ship 58, range 20 west, Linn County, Mo., and is 
widely known as an able, energetic and excellent 
citizen, every ready to aid in local enterprise and 
improvement. Our subject is a native Kentuckian, 
and was born upon the 25th of Februaiy, 1832, in 
Fleming Countj'. The family were originally from 
New .Tersey, but Grandfather Nathan Goslin was 
among the early settlers of Kentucky, and located 
in Mason County, where the father of our subject, 
Harrison Goslin,was born October 30, 1804. Father 
Goslin was reared a farmer, and having attained 
to early manhood was married to Miss Lucy B. 
Quinn, a daughter of James Quinn, a prominent 
agriculturist of Fleming County. After his mar- 
riage, Harrison (ioslin made his home near Flem- 




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



353 



ingsburg, K3\, until 1856, when he removed with 
liis faiuily of four children to Missouri. Of the sons 
and daujilitors there are now survivino' Adelia J., 
Lucy P., Amanda W. and our subject, W. S. After 
his arrival m Missouri, Harrison Goslin bought a 
four liundred acre tract, part of tlie land being im- 
proved. Two hundred acres of this purchase now 
comprise the valuable home farm of our subject. 

At that time (1856) the land was bought for $14 
per acre, but is now worth fully 135. Father (tOS- 
lin continued to reside upon his farm until his 
death in 1890, at a good old age. His wife had 
passed away in Kentucky in 1866, about thirty- 
four years before his death. Our subject was reared 
in Fleming County, K3'., and received but limited 
advantages for an education. He was early trained 
in the duties of a tiller of the soil, and arriving 
at mature age was well fitted to begin life for him- 
self. In 1868 Mr. Goslin was married to Miss 
Anna E. Brown, daughter of William C. Brown, of 
Kentucky, in which State Mrs. Goslin was born. 
This estimable lady passed awa3' in 1873, deeply 
regretted by her family and a large circles of friends. 
She was the mother of two children, of whom Mag- 
gie is now living, but Minnie died in early infancy. 
Immcdiatelj' succeeding his marriage Mr. Goslin 
settled upon his present homes'tead, which he has 
improved with substantial and commodious build- 
ings, indicating the excellent and thrift}' manage- 
ment of the owner of the farm. The acres yield 
an abundant harvest annually, and aside from the 
cultivation of the feitile soil, our subject has prof- 
itably engaged in stock-raising, handling only a 
good grade of horses, cattle and hogs. Trained 
from his earliest youth into the practical and every- 
day duties of farming experience, he is thorough- 
ly at home in all the details of agriculture, the busi- 
ness of his life. 

For many years a valued and consistent member 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, Mr. Gos- 
lin has liber.ally aided in the support and exten- 
sion of the religious work of that denomination, 
and is ever mindful of the suffering and need}'. 
Politically he is a strong Democrat, and interested 
in local and national issues. For three months he 
served in the Missouri Provisional Militia, but has 
never been an oflicc-secker, altliougii over read}' 



to do his full duty as a true and public-spirited 
citizen. Arriving within the borders of JNIissouri 
thirty-seven years ago, he has since materially 
aided in the upward progress and ultimate pros- 
perity of his adopted State, and has long possessed 
tiie liigli regard of the general pul^iic. 




)ILLIAM R. RENICK is a man of iiitelli- 
devoted to his chosen calling, in 
he displays an apt and practical 
knowledge. He is surrounded by comforts that 
have come of his industry. His farm is located in 
township 52, range 27, Ray County, Mo., and is well 
improved and carefully cultivated. Among his 
neighbors he is highly esteemed for his manly and 
sociable qualities and for his integrity and up- 
rightness. He was born in La Fayette County, 
Mo., .January 2, 1857, being a son of James W. 
Renick, born November 8, 1806, who was a son of 
Robert Renick, a native of Virginia, and of Scotch 
descent. The latter reached manhood in his na- 
tive State, and then emigrated to Clarke Count}-, 
Ohio, where he lived the remainder of his life, 
carrying on the occupation of a miller as well as 
farmer. 

The father of our subject vvas born in Clarke 
County, Ohio, and remained with his parents on 
the farm until he was of age. His education was a 
very liberal one, he improving upon the instruction 
of the district and county schools by much after 
reading and study, so that he became a man well 
informed upon all the living issues of the day. 
Going to La Fayette County when a young man, 
he was married there to Willie A., daughter of 
John and Keziah Warder, who bore him seven 
children, one of whom died when young, as fol- 
lows: Sarah A., wife of S. A. Hill; Keziah, wife 
of L. B. Wright; Robert W^: John; William R., 
our subject; and Fannie E., wife of Cyrus Wright. 
The father began life for himself on a farm, and 
subsequently learned the trade of a tanner, follow- 
ing it for ten years, when he engaged in the work 
of freighting and the stock business, after which ho 



354 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



came, in 1866, to Ray County, where he had pre- 
viously invested in land. At the time of the out- 
break of the war he had accumulated twelve hun- 
(h-ed acres of land and owned tliirty-six slaves, 
lie remained on the home farm, where our subject 
now resides, until his death, March 17, 1890. 

The mother of our subject is still living at the 
age of sevent3'-two years, and is in the possession 
of good health and si)irits. The father was a zeal- 
ous Democrat and took an active part in political 
campaigns. For a number of j-ears he was Cattle 
Inspector of LaF.ayettc County, Mo. Our subject 
never left his parents, although he began life for 
himself at the age of twenty, renting the farm 
from his father and engaging in the stock business. 
He owns about two hundred acres of land and 
feeds a large number of cattle each winter. He 
was married December 27, 1882, to Miss Amanda 
S. AVright, daughter of .lames V. and Arabella 
AVright, who has borne him five children, but one 
of whom, Elizabeth, is now living. Like his father, 
our subject is a Democrat, and while not taking a 
very active part in elections, is none the less in- 
terested in the result. 



^[^^i^i^;^^ 



\fL^ UGO .1. M. KLLIS. The editor and reporter 
jjji) are the iiistorians of the present, and 
/^^ their woi-k is done with a fidelit}' to the 
(^) truth that finds no parallel in any gener- 
ation preceding the introduction of the newspaper. 
The country editor, while exercising a close scru- 
tiny upon the world immediately about him, is in 
turn an object of close observation to his neigh- 
bors; hence is held to much closer reckoning than 
his confrere of the city press, who, as a rule, main- 
tains an impenetrable incognito. It is not possible 
to estimate the incalcuable benefit to a community 
of a newspaper whose editor is abreast with the 
times, and who is alive to the interests of the vi- 
cinity. 

Our subject is a man fond of his profession and 
impressed witli its importance to civilization. 
In addition tu his connection with the Weekly 



Leader, of Lawson, Ray County, he is also a mem- 
ber of the mercantile firm of Ellis & Rogers. Mr. 
Ellis was born in Goa, India, August 21, 1865, the 
eldest son of Nicholas M. Ellis, an Englishman, who 
married Miss Fanny J. Major, a resident of Carroll 
County, Mo. The father of our subject was a 
coffee planter in India, and died when Hugo was 
quite young. The widow then married Col. 
d 'Albuquerque, a lineal descendant of Alfonse 
d "Albuquerque, the conqueror of India, and is liv- 
ing with her husband at Lisbon, Portugal, where he 
holds an important official position under the 
government of that country. 

When Hugo w.as but seven years old, he went 
to England, where he remained until he was 
twenty-one years of age, and there received a su- 
perior education, obtaining the degree of Associate 
of Arts at Oxford University. Then he became 
quite a traveler, visiting the various points of in- 
terest on the Continent of Europe, and also the 
Canary Islands, Cape Colony, Mauritius, Malacca, 
and the interesting places along the Blediterranean 
and the North Sea. After completing his travels 
in the Old World, Mr. Ellis came to the United 
States, and finally located in Carroll County, but 
four months later removed to Kansas City, where 
he connected himself with the Excelsior Springs 
Company, and remained with it four years, rising 
from the position of book-keeper to that of general 
man.ager. 

The next movement of our subject was to take 
a i)osition with the Armour Packing Company; 
but this he was compelled to surrender on account 
of ill health. After this, he went to Lawson, Mo., 
jind engaged in the business which now employs 
his time and energies.' Mr. Ellis was married 
in June, 1891, to Miss Lily B., daughter of 
Rev. G. W. Rogers, a prominent Baptist minister 
of Missouri, at one time President of the Baptist 
College at Columbia. Our subject is a member of 
the Missionar}' Baptist Church, and sometimes 
preaches in that body. Total abstinence is prac- 
ticed by him, and he is a warm friend to temper- 
an ce. 

Mr. Ellis has a great-uncle, Harold Major, nearly 
eighty years of age, who is a retired Judge of the 
Supreme Court of Norway, and who divides his 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



355 



time between Rome and Paris. His father, who 
W.1S prominent in the great Irish Rebellion at the 
close of the eighteenth century, esca()ed from that 
country in a fishing-boat, and proceeded to Nor- 
way, where he settled and married into the noble 
family of Wiedemann. 



-^^- 



|EV. A. H. .lONES, our subject, has spent his 
life in doing good to his fellow-men, and 
after years of devoted service in the cause 
^®) of hum.anity, none would den}' to him the 
rest he is now taking. Now a retired minister re- 
siding at Liberty, lie was born January 5, 1832, in 
Montgomery County, Mo., near the village of 
Middletown. His father, Sandy E. Jones, was 
born in Kentuck}', December 7, 1804, and became a 
minister of the Christian Church, his death occur- 
ring May 21), 1878, aged about seventy-four years. 
He was a faithful preacher for upwards of fifty 
years. His father, John Jones, was a minister, and 
the latter's father was also a preacher in the Baptist 
Church. John .Jones was a native of Virginia, and 
an early settler of Kentucky. The Jones family 
is descended from AVelsh ancestors. The mother 
of our subject, Sophia (Crutcher) Jones, was born 
in Lincoln County, Ky., the daughter of Samuel 
Crutober. Shortly before the birth of our subject, 
his parents removed to Montgomery County, Mo., 
where his mother died when he was three j'ears 
old. His father removed to Tennessee, locating at 
Nashville, where he married Mrs. Catharine Briggs, 
of Alabama, a native of Tennessee. 

Rev. A. B. Jones was educated at Franklin Col- 
lege, near Nashville, Tenn., from which he was 
graduated in 18.52, with the honors of his class. 
He then taught in a county academj', in Sumner 
County, Tenn., one year, after which he became 
an instructor in an academy in Lincoln County, 
K}'., where he remained for two years. He was 
ordained as a minister in 18.55, after which he 
served as an ev.angelist for six months, and then 
accepted a call to tlie Main Street Church, at Lex- 
ington, Ky. After serving as p.astor of that church 



for one year, he resigned and visited several points 
in Missouri, following which he .accepted a call to 
the church at Fulton, Callaway County, Mo., re- 
maining there for two years. While at Fulton in 
1857, he married Miss Sarah B. Stewart, a sister of 
A. P. Stewart, who, subsequent to this date, won 
decided fame and the stars of a general in the 
Confederate army. 

In the year 1858, Rev. Mr. Jones received a 
call to the church at Liberty, where he filled the 
pulpit for about two years. About six months 
after coming to this city, his wife died, leav- 
ing an infant, Mattie Belle, who is now tlie wife 
of William M. Burris, a prominent attornej' of 
Liberty. In 1860, Mr. Jones was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Catharine M., daughter of Hon. 
Thomas C. Gordon, a prominent citizen of Clay 
County. She was born, reared, and educated in 
Clay County. Mr. Jones removed to Platte City 
in 1860, where he took charge of a female semi- 
nary and also became pastor of the church, con- 
tinuing in the dual capacity for four years. Thence 
he accepted a call to the Presidency of a female 
college at Richmond, Ky., where he remained in 
that position, and also as pastor of the Cliristi.an 
Church, for three years. 

The resignation of the last charge was caused 
by the feeble health of Mrs. Jones, which induced 
our subject to return to Liberty. After preaching 
here for four years, he was persuaded by the citi- 
zens of Richmond to again become president of 
their college and minister of the church, which re- 
sponsible positions he filled with the greatest effi- 
ciency and success for three years. For the five 
ensuing years, he had charge of Clay Seminary, a 
female school at Liberty, at the end of which time 
the scliool building burned and the college closed. 
He then served as pastor of the Christian Church for 
six years, when he resigned on account of failing 
health and retired from active ministerial work, al- 
though he still preaches occasionally. For a long 
time he was connected closely with the missionary 
operations of the Christian Church in Missouri, .and 
was the Corresponding Secretary of the Missouri 
Christian Convention for a number of j^ears. By 
the members of that Church throughout the United 
States, he is well known, and he [)ossesses great in- 



356 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



fliience, it being universally conceded that he is one 
of the ablest expounders of their plea, l)oth in the 
pulpit and through the press. 

In 1887, Mr. Jones removed to Lalhrop, Mo., 
and engaged in the banking business with his sons, 
remaining in that city until February, 1890, when 
he returned to Liberty. However, he is still Presi- 
dent of the Lathrop Bank, of which his son Gor- 
don is Cashier. Six children were born of the sec- 
ond marriage of Mr. Jones, two of whom are de- 
ceased: Doniphan, who died in early childhood; 
and Charles P., who was Cashier of the Lathrop 
Bank, and died June 18, 18'.I2, in his thirtieth year. 
The others are Gordon, Cashier of the above-named 
bank; K. Allene and May D., who are still at home; 
and James W., book-keeper in the Lathrop Bank. 
The family residence is a handsome structure, sit- 
uated near the Baptist Church. 



jj "i;^, OBERT J. CLARK. A man who has trav- 
eled much and observed a great deal, our 
subject has stored his mind with rich and 
1^ varied information, pleasurable for reflec- 
tion and good for the practical uses of life. He is 
Cashier of the Lawson Bank, located in Lawson, 
Ray Cpunty, and a widely and very favorably 
known man. Mr. Clark was born in Giles County, 
Tenn., August 17, 1841, a son of John B. Clark, a 
native of the same county and State, who died when 
our subject was a bab}'. The father served in sev- 
eral Indian wars, acting the part of a brave and 
true soldier. He married Rachel, daughter of Aaron 
Reynolds, a soldier of the Revolutionary War. Our 
subject is the only survivor of the three children 
of his father, after whose death the widow con- 
tinued to live upon the farm her husband had cul- 
tivated many years. Finally, when our subject 
was twelve years old, she removed with him to Raj' 
County, :Mo., where they lived for a while, and 
then settled in Claj^ Count}', the same State. 

Our subject in 1859, or thereabouts, went to 
California and Oregon, walking across the plains 



as he drove an ox-team. Going first to California 
he mined with varying success; then trudged to 
Oregon, trying his luck for a time there. After 
this he enlisted as a soldier in the United States 
army, and for three years engaged in campaigns 
against the Indians. Leaving the army, he came 
East and was a merchant at Claj'sville, Mo., for 
two years; lie then went to Lawson, being a pioneer 
in that place, and was a merchant there for ten 
years. He later became a merchant at Eureka 
Springs, Ark., and afterward at Polo, Mo., but in 
F'ebruary, 188G, returned to Lawson, at which place 
he accepted a position as Cashier of the bank, and 
has held it ever since. 

Mr. Clark was married in 1870 to Miss Sallie, a 
daughter of David Moore, a prominent farmer of 
Clay County, Mo., and an early settler of that 
county. Mr. and Mrs. Clark are the parents of five 
children, all boys, namelj^: Orren, Frank, Robert 
Albert and James. Mr. Clark is Secretary of Bee 
Hive Lodge No. 393, A. F. & A. M., at Lawson. 
Politically he is a Democrat, and takes a lively in- 
terest in the great questions at issue between the 
national parties. F'or ten years he held the po- 
sition of Postmaster at Lawson; held the same of- 
fice at Polo, Mo., four years, and was acting Post- 
master at Claysville two years. He is a member 
of the Board of Education of Lawson, and is Sec- 
retary of that bod}-. A snug farm of one hundred 
and twenty acres is the property of Mr. Clark, and 
he has it stocked witb a fine variety of horses, cat- 
tle, sheep and hogs. An extensive traveler, there 
are very few of the States or Territories that lie 
has failed to visit. 



-^-#^1- 



,EV. MARSHALL :M. SPURLOCK. Our 
subject, after having spent a long and use- 
it \\\ ful life in active work, is now retired, and 
*^^resides at Richmond, Mo., on East Main 
Street. He was born in Cabell County, W. Va., 
February 1, 1826, the eldest son of William and 
Frances (Morris) Spurlock, both natives of \"n-- 
ginia. The latter was tlie daugliter of Levi Morris, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



357 



who was of Scotch descent. The fatlier of our 
subject was a merchant throughout life, and died 
in 1833, his wife surviving him but one week, 
both having been taken off by cholera. 

Tiie subject of our sketch was left an orphan at 
seven years of age, and remained in his native 
State until thirteen years old, when he accom. 
panied his brother-in-law, S. M. Ilarrimon, to Mis- 
souri, locating in Ray County. He attended the 
private schools of the neighborhood, and worked 
on the farm at intervals until of age. At that 
time he started in life on his own account, engag- 
ing in general farming, at which occupation he 
was eniploj-ed until 1888. His farm was located 
in Crooked River Township, near Morton, and 
consisted of two hundred and thirt}- acres. This 
farm was well improved and admirabl}' adapted 
for grain -growing and stock-raising, l)oth of which 
he carried on successfully. During his life upon 
the farm he exercised the oflice of the ministry, 
preaching at various points in Ray Countj-. In 
November of the year last named, 1888, he left 
the farm and settled in Richmond, Mo., and has 
been preaching occasionally since that time in the 
Missionary Baptist Churches, with which body he 
connected himself when eighteen years of age. 

Our subject has been twice married ; to his first 
wife. Miss Eliza Bates, of Ray County, August 26, 
1845. She was a daughter of .James Bates, and 
her parents were early settlers of Ray Count}', 
having come to Missouri from Kentucky in 1839. 
Mr. and Mrs. Spurlock had four children born to 
them, namely: John W., who died April 17, 1881, 
and who was Circuit Clerk of Ray County at the 
time of his death; Ouiska, wife of .1. ,J. Yates, 
living in Kentucky; Ermine E., wife of John 
Rcnick, of Carroll County, Mo.; and James H., a 
farmer in La Fayette Count}". 

Mr. Spurlock married his present wife, who was 
Miss Margaret Morris, JIarch 6, 1856. She was a 
daughter of Benjamin and Amanda Morris. Bj- 
his second wife Mr. Spurlock has five living chil- 
dren : Kate, wife of John Ilarrimon, lives in 
Idaho; Mattic, wife of J. C. Bowen, lives in Cali- 
fornia; Jennie, married to George Keys, resides in 
Kansas; Luc}% living at home; and George B. also 
at home. The political associations of our subject 



and all his sympathies are with the Democratic 
party. The start in life of Mr. Spurlock was made 
solely with his hands and his brain, as he did 
not have a single dollar when he began for him- 
self. Besides farm and other property he is a 
stockholder as well as Director in the Hardin 
Bank, and has succeeded in accumulating a com- 
fortable competency. 



♦^^ 



JOHN DENIIEM lives in a picturesque coun- 
try, and has a comfortable home on a choice 
farm, which brings him in a good yield 
annually. This property is located in town- 
ship 51, range 28, Ray County, and is well im- 
proved and cultivated. His birth occurred in 
Hart County, Ky., January 24, 1848, his parents 
being Thomas and Elizabeth (Stephenson) Denhem, 
botli natives of Kentucky. The father was reared 
on a farm in the latter Stale, receiving but limited 
schooling. Notwithstanding this, he started out 
in life, working by the month on a farm, and at 
the age of twenty-three was able to marry Miss 
Elizabeth, daughter of James and Elizabeth Ste- 
phenson, and she bore him three children: Our sub- 
ject, Marj- and James, all living. 

Soon after his marriage, the father of our sub- 
ject purchased his father's farm, but continued to 
work for others until the outbreak of the war. At 
that time lie was South with some horses and lie 
proceeded to Texas to sell them, not returning un- 
til the close of the great struggle in 1865. While 
not in actual service his sympathies were with the 
South. When he returned home, he was a poor 
and ruined man, with nothing but his land, whicli 
latter was entirely laid waste. He, however, 
went manfully to work and later went to Texas, 
where he and his wife live in the enjoyment of 
good health and spirits. The grandparents of our 
subject were David and Mary Denhem, also na- 
tives of Kentucky, the families being among the 
early settlers of that State who lived along the 
Cumberland River. 

Our subject remained with his parents until he 



358 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



left home for Missouri, in 1870. Upon his arrival 
in that State, he settled near Richraonrl,and in 1889 
moved upon his present farm of one hundred and 
sixty acres, which he had bought in 1888. His 
marriage occurred in Ra_y County, iMo., in 1878, to 
Zenobia, daughter of Abraham and Elizabeth 
(Rush) Wilhoit, natives of Virginia. She bore 
him four children: AUie, F^lizabeth, Nancy and 
Myrtle. Mrs. Denhem"s parents were married De- 
cember 20, 1849, and had seven children, as fol- 
lows: Sarah H., Almonia V., Thomas J., Andrew 
S., Zenobia A., ,Tohn H. and Ashby A., of wiioin 
Almonia, Andrew and Ashby are deceased. Mr. 
Wilhoit died in 1863, but his wife is still living, 
and is making her home near Mrs. Denhem. The 
paternal grandparents of Mrs. Denhem were Smith 
and Sallie (Smith) Wilhoit, natives of Madison 
Count}-, Va. They lived to be quite aged, and re- 
mained in Virginia until 186r), when the wife's 
death occurred. Smith Wilhoit then moved to 
Missouri, and died January 9, 1878, in Ray 
County. 

In politics, our subject is a Democrat, holding 
fast to the teachings of that party and supporting 
its nominees. Still a young man, he is in the full 
strength of his manhood, and the work he has ac- 
complished seems to be but the promise of what he 
will do in the future. Blessed with a good wife 
and dutiful children, and possessing a suflicienc.y 
of the goods of this life, he is in a position that 
may well be characterized as one of contentment 
and peace. Mrs. Denhem is a consistent member 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, having 
been a member nearly eighteen years. 






4^- 



^ENJAMIN F. BABER. A man devoted to 
the occupation of farming, to which he has 
[»!))) )|J given his life, our subject has pursued that 
calling with industry and energy. His 
honest dealing and pleasant manners have won for 
him many intimate friends and the respect of all 
who know him. He now resides on a pleasant farm 
on section 2, township 51, range 28, Hay County, 



where he dispenses hospitality to all his friends. 
Tlie birth of our subject occurred on the farm 
where he now resides, in the year 1836, and his 
parents were Thomas and Clarissa (Gordon) Baber, 
both natives of Clark County, Kj'., the former of 
whom was born November 2, 1800, the hitter in 
1809. 

The father of our subject was reared on a farm 
in the timbered portion of Kentuck}', so did not 
receive the advantages of obtaining an education 
offered the boys of the present day, but so strong 
was his desire to learn, that after lie reached his 
majority he earned enough money to attend three 
different schools and in that way received quite a 
liberal education. During this time, he worked 
very hard at night to obtain sufficient money to 
carry him through school and pay his board. As 
his parents were very poor, he remained with them 
until their death, which occurred in about 1830; 
thus proving himself a good, faithful son. When 
about eighteen, he commenced to support himself 
by working as a boat-hand on a flatboat that car- 
ried a cargo of tobacco to New Orleans. Upon 
his return, he formed a partnership with a relative, 
and they carried cargoes of tobacco down the Ohio 
and Mississippi Rivers to New Orleans during the 
summer and drove hogs to different States in the 
winter. 

At about the age of thirty years, our subject's 
father married the daughter of Benjamin and 
PoUie Gordon and they reared a famil}' of seven 
children, namely: Benjamin F., onr subject; Will- 
iam, Thomas, Ishani; Mary, wife of Mr. Shoop; 
Lucy, deceased, wife of John Henderson; and 
Sarelda, wife of W. S. Clack. Very soon after his 
marriage, the father removed to Missouri, making 
the removal in the montli of October, 1830, buy- 
ing and entering six hundred and forty acres of 
land in Ray County, where our subject now makes 
his home. Four years later, he brought his family 
in wagons to the new home he had prepared for 
them on the frontier. Here he lived, improved 
his farm, and finally died, passing away in 1873; 
his wife, still surviving him, is a very active old 
lady and enjoys horseback riding as well as in her 
3'outh. She is highly esteemed by .all who know 
her :ind is an lionoied and esteemed member of the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



359 



liouseliold of her joungest son on a portion of the 
old lionu'stead. Jn religious matters, the father 
inclined toward tiie teachings and doctrines of 
llie Christian Church, of which he was a devoted 
inenil)er. In early life, he was a Whig in politics, 
and his sympathies were with the Ihiion at the out- 
break of the war; but after two of his sons entered 
the Confederate army his intluence was with the 
cause of the South, and after the war he was a 
Democrat. The grandfather of our subject was 
Owen Baber, who was a native of Virginia and 
came to Kentucky at a very early da}'. 

Our subject enjoyed the advantages of a good 
common-school education and remaiYied with his 
parents until entering the Confederate army, De- 
cember 9, 1861, in Company A, Third Missouri 
Infantry, under Gen. Little. His first battle was at 
Lexington, Mo., which was followed by the battles 
of Pea Ividge, Baker's Creek, and Vicksburg, where 
he was captured and was afterward paroled. After 
this he participated in the Georgia campaign and 
was in the thickest of the fighting for one hundred 
days. He was captured a second time at Ft. Blake- 
ley, Ala., and sent to Ship Island, where he was 
detained until the close of the war. Afterward he 
remained in the South for a few months, taking 
care of a sick fellow-soldier, upon the death of 
whom he returned home. Although our subject 
was twice captured and saw much hard fighting, 
he was never wounded. Upon his return, he took 
charge of the home farm with a brother and suc- 
cessfully managed the place. 

November 21, 1867, Mr. Baber married Miss 
Margaret R., daughter of William Magill, a native 
of Ray Count}', Mo. Her parents were natives of 
Kentuck}', and her mother died when she was 3'et 
an infant. Our subject and his wife have reared 
a family of ten children, namely: Edwin, Lora M., 
Myrtle M., Sarah, Harrie C, Clara, William, Forest, 
Jlinnie and John F. The eldest son married Lucy 
Bales and they have one child, who is the pride of 
its proud grandparents. Our subject and elder sons 
are jnembers of the Christian Church, while his 
wife and two eldest daughters are connected with 
the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a member 
of Lodge No. 208, I. O. O. F., of Richmond. Po- 
litically, he is a Democrat and votes and works 



with that party, supporting the nominees of that 
organization upon all occasions. His fine farm 
consists of one hundred and forty acres of land 
from the old homestead. 



'^1^1 



ll^^ UGH IIARTSHORNE is one of the wealthy 
iT jl] and influential farmers of Linn County, 
J^)^ liis farm being situated on section 13, 
(^) township;')?, range 22. His father, George 
Hartshorne, was a native of Union County, N. .J., 
born in 1822, while his mother, who was formerly 
Miss Sarah Robinson, was a native of the Emerald 
Isle. The Hartshorne family was founded in the 
LTnited States in 166'J by Richard Hartshorne, a 
native of Leicestershire, England, his birth having 
occurred October 24, 1641. He located in Middle- 
town, Monmouth County, N. J., on a farm, which 
is still in the possession of the family, having 
been handed down through many generations. 
Hugh, the fourth in descent, married Elizabeth 
Brown, their son George being the father of our 
subject. 

To George and Sarah (Robinson) Hartshorne 
were born five children, of whom but three are 
living: Hugh, Sophia P., now Mrs. R. Haines; and 
Elizabeth S. The mother departed this life in 
1867. The family are members of the Society of 
Friends, being thoroughly orthodox. The father 
is a life member of the New Jersey State Fair As- 
sociation, is Township Assessor and a strong Re- 
publican, taking an active interest- in the welfare 
of his party. His famous farm, which is known as 
the "Locust Grove" farm^ contains three hundred 
acres, very finely improved. Upon it are four 
large barns and numerous other farm buildings. 
A number of streams flow through it, which are 
fed from many si)rings. The land is fertile and 
very valuable. Mr. ilartshonie is still active, car- 
rying on the place, and in addition to general 
farming has been extensively interested in breed- 
ing cattle, sheep and hogs, for which he has taken 
many silver cups and pitchers at State fairs. 

In Union County, N. Y., on the Kith of March, 



360 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPfflCAL RECORD. 



1850, occurred the birth of Hugh Ilartshorne. lie 
was reared to manhood on the old home farm and 
received his education at tlie Friends' Seminary, in 
Union Springs, and also in the college at Flush- 
ing, L. I. The 3-ear after leaving school, he was 
employed in George Cook & Co. 's brokerage olHce. 
In the year 1869 he landed in Meadville, Linn 
County, Mo., the following year making a perma- 
nent location on his jjresent farm. There were no 
improvements upon the place, which he has now 
brougiit under good cultivation and largely in- 
creased in value. He has two hundred and twenty 
acres in two tracts, one of one hundred and 
eight}', wliich is all improved, and another of 
forty. In 1871 Mr. Hartshorne erected a commo- 
dious residence, costing $1,300, and a rrumber of 
barns and other farm buildings. He also set out 
an orchard of seven acres, which is in good condi- 
tion. He carries on general farming, but is partic- 
ularly interested in stock-raising, having now 
sixty head of cattle, two hundred sheep, fifty 
hogs and seven horses. 

In 1878 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. 
Hartshorne and Miss Nannie H. Brown, daughter 
of Henry T. and Emeline W. (Prewitt) Brown, the 
former a native of Virginia and the latter of Mis- 
souri. Mr. Brown came to this State at an early 
day and was married in Linn Count}-, soon after 
which he settled on a farm north of Linneus. 
During the war he went South to Howard Count}', 
where he died in 1864. His wife returned to 
Linn County, making her residence here until 
1882, when she also was called to the better land. 
They had each been previously married, and by 
this union became tlie parents of three children: 
Nannie, David T. and William H. The father 
was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
Soutli, while his wife held membership with the 
Christian denomination. He was an extensive 
land-holder and stock-dealer, and i)olitically was a 
Democrat. Mrs. Hartshorne was born April 26, 
1858, in Linn County, and received her education 
at Linneus and Brookfiekl. Slie is proficient on 
both the piano and guitar. 

Our subject's father in 1872 liecame the owner 
of the gristmill at Meadville, of this county, and 
in connection with oui' subject and a brother 



operated the same for four years. They then 
rented it, and have now finally disposed of the 
same. A stock company w.as formed in 1890 for 
carrying on this mill, our subject being among the 
stockholders. He is a stanch Republican, ,and so- 
ciall}' is a member of the Ancient Order of United 
Workmen at Meadville, and has been Vice-Presi- 
dent of the Auti-llorse Thief Association. He is 
Director of District No. 6. His farm in every re- 
spect is a model one, with all modern im- 
provements. There is a well one hundred and 
seventy feet deej) on his farm, the water being 
brought through a two-inch pipe. It is used in a 
tank for cooling milk, pipes also conveying tlie 
water three hundred feet to tanks in fields for 
watering stock in three different lots. His home 
is surrounded with a fine, well-kept lawn, and in 
the home are many articles bespeaking the taste 
and culture of the owners. We might especially 
mention their fine Pease piano, on which Mrs. 
Hartshorne is an able performer. She is much in- 
terested in raising fine poultry, and has taken the 
first premium at the township fair. In her flock 
are over one hundred fine Partridge-Cochin fowls 
and .about the same number of capons. 



^^- 



/^EORGE S. EWING. After a life of active 
III f- — , work, stretching through many long years, 
\^^i^) our subject is now taking a merited rest. 
He is ex-County Treasurer of Ray County and a 
retired farmer living at Richmond, Mo., and was 
born in Howard County, Mo., January 19, 1832. 
His father, Joseph Ewing, was born in Jessamine 
County, Ky., was a farmer, and the son of James 
Ewing, a native of Virginia, and a very early set- 
tler of Kentucky, having gone there with a colony 
just after Daniel Boone. His demise occurred in 
Jessamine County. 

The mother of our subject was Cecilia B. (Shank- 
lin) Ewing, and she was born in Jessamine County, 
Ky., a daughter of Robert Shanklin, and of Irish 
,and German extraction. In 1831, Joseph Ewing 
removed from Kentucky to Howard County with 



PORTRAIT ANT) EIOGRAPinCAL RECORD. 



361 



his family, and in 1833 to Raj- County, where he 
settled in what is now Crooked River Township, 
and thert spent a number of years. Later he went 
to California, and died there in 1850. His wife 
survived hini many years, her death having oc- 
curred in 1879, in her seven tj'-first year. She 
was the mother of five children, four girls and 
our subject, who is the third chdd, all but one of 
whom are living. 

The early childhood of our subject was spent at 
home, but when ten years old lie went to Ken- 
tucky, where for four years he attended a private 
school in a country place, then returned to Ray 
County, and continued on the farm until he was 
of age. He then began farming on his own ac- 
count in Richmond Township, on a place of one 
hundred and twenty acres, which had been well 
improved and carefully cultivated, and continued 
on it until 187(), when he was elected County 
Treasurer of Ray County. During his term of 
oflice, which lasted for four years, he having been 
re-elected in 1878, the family remained on the 
farm. He was again elected Treasurer in 1886, 
and at the expiration of the two years of service, 
retired from all active business. 

Mr. Ewing was married Jauuar}' 16, 1853, to 
Miss Lydia A. Tisdale, of Ray County, who was 
horn and reared in that count}-, and is a daughter 
of William T. Tisdale. Her parents lived in Ken- 
tucky and came from that State to Ray County, 
Mo. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Ewing has 
produced eight children, five of whom reached the 
age of maturity, and four of whom are now liv- 
ing. They were, Warren, deceased; Robert S.; 
Joseph, a druggist; Thomas, a confectioner; and 
.lames J., a clerk in a wholesale house in St. Louis, 
lu politics, Mr. Pawing holds opinions in unison 
with those of the Democratic party, with which he 
votes and works. He and his wife are members of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church South, in which 
organization they are earnest and active members. 
They have a most comfortable home on Thornton 
Avenue, with neat and attractive surroundings. 
They recently celebrated the fortieth anniversary 
of their marriage, and were surrounded b}' their 
children and friends. 

Our subject served for four years in the Confed- 



erate army, having enlisted at the outbreak of the 
war in Company C, Third Missouri Infantry, 
Cockrell's brigade, and was in the armies of Gens. 
Johnston, Beauregard, Bragg and Hood, having 
been in the last campaign in Tennessee with the 
latter. He participated in the battles of luka, 
Corinth, siege of A'icksburg, campaign with Johns- 
ton and the battle of Franklin, Tenn., where he 
was wounded in the right arm with a shell, which 
shattered it and disabled him for a time. He was 
also wounded in the right foot during the Georgia 
campaign, which obliged him to remain at the hos- 
))ital for some time. He rejoined his regiment at 
Mobile, Ala., and took part in the battle of Blake- 
ley, where he was taken prisoner and sent to Ship 
Island, and thence to Jackson, Miss., where he was 
upon parole when the war closed. 



\Tr^ ICH 



\fn^ ICHARD VINSANT. For many years our 
ibject was a well-known and highly re- 
spected merchant of Knoxville, Ray Count}-, 
\^ and conducted his business quite profitably. 
m,eanwhile commending himself to the favorable 
consideration of all by his strict honesty and up- 
right dealings. After a life of activity in business, 
he has retired from the enterprises in which he 
formerly engaged. Our subject is the son of 
George and Mary (Hall, nee Worth) ^'insant. The 
father, who was reared in Maryland, removed to 
Tennessee in 1812, where he resided until his 
death in 1843. His occupation was that of an 
agriculturist and he engaged in general farming 
and stock-raising u])on his farm of one hundred 
acres in Tennessee. Tiie five children born of his 
first marriage were: Our subject, Daniel, Emih-, 
James and IVIorris. The mother of our subject 
died in 1823, and one year later his father married 
Sallie Cannon, by whom he had fourchildren, viz: 
Lena, William, Washington and .Tack. 

Our subject came to Missouri in the fall of 
lH.'')lt, and farmed upon his tract of one hundred 
and twenty-seven acres until twenty years ago, 



362 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



when he embarked in a general merchandising 
business at Knoxville, in the meantime renting his 
farm. In Januarj', 1893, he retired from business. 
The first marriage of Mr. Vinsant occurred about 
1832, his wife being Margaret Hartley, who bore 
him twelve children, of whom the following sur- 
vive: George, Hiram, Jolin, Emily and Louisa. 
The wife and mother dying in 1854, Mr. Vinsant 
was again married, in the spring of 1851), choosing 
as his wife Martha Sparks, who died February 13, 
1891. In politics, our subject is a Republican and 
can trace his membership to the beginning of that 
party, away back in 1854 or 1855, and his loyalty 
to it has had no varying or turning, but has been 
true as the needle to tlie pole. 

When the Sons of Temperance flourished, Mr. 
Vinsant was a very active leader in that organiza- 
tion and frequently held office therein. He has a 
natural antipatliy for whisky, has no use for it in 
any shape or form, and those who know him do 
not need to be assured of the fact. His voice is 
raised whenever the occasion will warrant in de- 
nunciation of alcoholism. In church and Sunday- 
school work, he has been very prominent for many 
years; his membership is in the Methodist Episco- 
l)al Church South, in which his piety and zeal are 
recognized, and his example stands as a constant 
reminder to others to follow in his footsteps. 



^OHN T. PATTON is a man of an investi- 
gating mind, who forms his opinions only 
^— . after he has deliberated to his entire satis- 
\^l^ faction. He is a retired lumberman of 
Riciimond, Mo., and was born in Bedford County, 
Tenn., June 9, 1829, being the son of James Pat- 
ton, a native of the same State, where he studied, 
grew to maturity, and was married to Miss Dovey 
McQuarter, of Alabama, in wliich State she was 
born, a daughter of Mosley McQuarter. 

In 1830, the father of our subject and family 
came to Ray County, Mo., located on a farm three 
miles north of Richmond, wliich he improved, and 
followed general farming until 1858, when he dis- 



posed of the property. He at once purchased an- 
other farm, two and one-half miles west of his for- 
mer place, and on this tract passed the remainder 
of his days, liis death having occurred in 1877, in 
the seventy-third year of his age. His father was 
Matthew Patton, also a native of Tennessee, whose 
ancestors came from P2nglaud. The McQuarters 
were of Irish descent, a good, sturdy and reliable 
family. The mother of our subject had thirteen 
children, nine of whom lived to be married, though 
but two are now living, namely: Mrs. Cintlia C. 
Pearce, of Texas, and our subject. 

John T. Patton lived upon the farm until of 
age, receiving his education in the public schools 
of his district. He then started out for himself, 
and was engaged in farming for two years, when he 
hired out as manager of a farm for six years more, 
to different parties, the last employer being a Mrs. 
Moore, who owned an extensive farm of five hun- 
dred acres, which he managed very successfully. 
His next step was to buy a tract of new ground, 
containing one hundred and three acres, in Rich- 
mond Township, which he proceeded to open and 
improve, and then carried on a business of general 
farming up to the fall of 1875. In this year he 
left the farm, settled at Richmond, and followed 
for one j-ear the trade of a carpenter. 

In 1877, he formed a partnership with W. R. 
.Jackson, under the firm name of Jackson & Patton, 
iu the lumber business. In 1878, Calvin Hauser 
became a member of the firm, continuing in it un- 
til 1890, when Messrs. Patton 6: Hauser sold out 
to their partner, Mr. Jackson. The summer of 
that year was spent in Texas, prospecting around. 
Returning home to Richmond, he built a nice resi- 
dence in the eastern part of the town and soon 
afterward erected two additional residences, mak- 
ing four in all, two of which he sold. Mr. Patton 
has been thrice married, the first time being in De- 
cember, 1850, to Miss Margaret, a daughter of John 
Emerson, an old settler of Ray County. She died 
in 1857, leaving three children, two of whom are 
now living, namely: Laura, wife of W. H. McGill, 
of Richmond; and Isabel, wife of J. R. Hill, of this 
county. Margaret Jane is deceased. December 
20, 1859, Mr. Patton married his second wife, 
Narcissa R., daughter of John J.ackson. Her demise 



^m 




-/ 



■J" 






PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



365 



occuned Mny 6, 1887. In 1888, he married Miss 
Emma Hammond, of Carrollton, Carroll Countj', 
Mo., a daughter of James Hammond. Politically, 
our subject is a Democrat. Mr. and Mrs. Patton 
are interested and earnest members of the Christian 
Science Church. 



'• ' ^^ 



~^^ 



^^ P1';NCER A. WI LLBARGER, one of the 
^^^ leading farmers of Linn County, resides 
lll/TJJJ on section 9, township 57, range 21. He 
has made his own way in the world since 
fourteen years of age, at which time he left his 
father's roof tree, his capital consisting of a suit of 
clothes and 14.50 in money. He worked his way 
Westward to Cooper Count}', Mo., where he worked 
on a farm by the day, near Connor's Mill, for 
about five months. For a number of years Fortune 
seemed to buffet him harshly, but with courage and 
fortitude he surmounted all difficulties in a man- 
ner worthy of emulation, his efforts finally being 
crowned with success far beyond his expectations. 
His father, Henry Willbarger, who was born in 
Greenbrier County, Va., in 1806, was a son of one 
.J.acob, an old horse-trader at Richmond, Va. The 
latter also owned and operated a mill and was im- 
mensely wealthy. He participated in the Revolu- 
tionary War, and was of German and French des- 
cent with a slight intermixture of Irish. Henry 
Willbarger married Miss Catherine Housh, a native 
of Shenandoah County, Pa., where her birth oc- 
curred in 1812. Her father, Henry Roush, also of 
Pennsylvania, served in both the Revolutionary 
War and in that of 1812. The Roush family is 
celel^ratcd among the annals of Pennsylvania. The 
grandfather of our subject removed in later life 
to Meigs Cohnty, Ohio, where an aunt of our 
subject, Anna Roush, recently died at the extreme 
old age of one hundred and eight years. After 
their marriage, our subject's parents lived on a 
farm in Meigs County for a number of years, the 
father teaching school a portion of the time. In 
1840, he emigrated to Missouri, locating on a raw 
piece of hind in the midst of thick timber on the 

18 



Grand River bottoms in Chariton County, and 
there he resided for five years. His wife passed to 
the home beyond tliree years after their arrival in 
the West. In 1845, Mr. Willbarger removed to an- 
other farm in the same county, and later to Turkey 
Creek, where his death occurred in 1862. Of his 
nine children, only three are living: Charles, aged 
sixty-five; Delilah, now Mrs. Pallack, sixty-two 
years; and Spencer A., now in his fifty-sixth ^ear. 
The parents were both members of the Cumberland 
Presbyterian Church, the father being a local 
preacher of that denomination. He was a man of 
fine education and actively interested in politics, 
particularly in the campaign of 1840. He was an 
old-line W^hig until the Civil War, and while liv- 
nig in Chariton County was Justice of the Peace. 

The year 1836 witnessed the birth of Spencer A. 
AVillbarger in Meigs Count}', Ohio, that event tak- 
ing place on Washington's birthday. He was reared 
to farm labor and attended the public schools for a 
short time in Ohio and after his arrival in Missouri, 
in 1840, had a few months' schooling in this State. 
In 1854, he married Mary A. Harmon, a native of 
Kentucky and a daughter of Lindsey Harmon, an 
earl}' settler in Chariton County. To them was 
born one child, which died in infancy. The mo- 
ther also was soon called to her last resting-place, 
her death occurring September 14, 1856. Mr. 
Willbarger, who had rented a farm in Chariton 
County, then sold his effects, soon after returning 
to his birthplace ou a visit. 

For some time in the latter part of the '5()s, Mr. 
Willbarger carried on a sawmill and also engaged 
in buying and selling furs. In 1862, he settled on 
section 16, where he lived for four years, finally 
locating on his present farm in 1866. This farm 
was all timbered and without improvements of any 
description. He has cleared it all himself and de- 
veloped a valuable farm from the wilderness. His 
property comprises three hundred and twenty- 
eight acres, which are all under cultivation. In 
1866, he erected a house at a cost of ^1,000, hav- 
ing to go for the timber to Quincy, 111. He made 
his home there until 1882, when he built his pres- 
ent fine residence at a cost of $2,000. In 1875, 
he erected one of the finest barns in the West, 
which cost ^4,600, and is the largest one in the 



366 



POUTRAIT AND BIOORAPIIICAL RECORD. 



county. Twenty 3'ears ago he set out a large or- 
chard, whicli is now the best in this portion of the 
county and covers thirty acres. He raises immense 
quantities of grain and a good grade of live stock. 

On the 12th of February, 18G2, Mr. Willbarger 
married Mrs. Susan R. Legate, nee Grant. By her 
former marriage she had three children, only one 
now living. Miss Eliza Ann Legate. Mrs. Will- 
barger was born March 1, 1841, and has the honor 
of being one of the oldest native-born persons of 
Linn County now living. Her parents were 
Daniel and Elizabeth J. Grant, both natives of 
Kentucky. The former died in 1868, aged fifty 
years, while his wife, who died in October, 1888, 
was then in her sixty-first year. Mr. Grant came 
to Missouri in 1837, being one of the first settlers 
of Linn County. His father, John D., was a sur- 
veyor who came to Missouri in the early '2()s, and 
made the plat of Linneus. He was a soldier and 
officer in the War of 1812, was a prominent and 
wealthy man, and died in this county. The ma- 
ternal grandfather of Mrs. Willbarger, Daniel 
Grant, died in Boone County, Mo., in 1862. At 
tiie breaking out of the Civil War, Daniel Grant, 
the father of Mrs. Willbarger, enlisted in the Mis- 
souri State Militia and was a Sergeant for one j'ear. 
He took an active interest in politics, was a loyal 
Republican, and at one time was Justice of the 
Peace. Of his thirteen children, only two survive: 
the wife of our subject, and Christopher C, who 
lives in this township. Both parents were mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church North. 

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Willbarger has been 
blessed with a family of ten children, of whom the 
following are living: Harvey H., who married 
Lillie iVL Presler; Henry S., Charles D., Vallie May, 
Allen S., Jr., Hiram Fred and Virgil V. They 
have all been given the best school advantages and 
are intelligent and respected citizens of the com- 
munity. 

During the Civil War, Mr. Willbarger was a 
member of a company and was chosen its Lieuten- 
ant. He was, however, obliged to resign on ac- 
count of trouble with his eyes. Since the forma- 
tion of the Republican party, he has cast his vote 
in favor of its nominees. He is a stockholder in 
the Meadville Bank, of which he is also a Director. 



He entered Cyprus Lodge No. 227, F. & A. M., at 
Laclede, and he helped to organize the lodge at 
Meadville, and since that time has been actively 
connected with the Masonic order. He has been 
Director of Schools and has also been Road Over- 
seer for several terms. 



^^EORGE W. MASON. Memory of a man 
II ,s=- remains after he has gone, and it is fortun- 
'^^/| ate when, as in the case of our subject, 
memory brings up so many admirable qualities. 
Mr. IMason was a merchant and stock-dealer of 
Richmond, Mo., who was born at Knoxville, Ra3- 
County, Mo., August 20, 1843, and died February 
13, 1874. The circumstances of his death were as 
follows: He left home the night of February 11 
with a load of cattle for St. Louis. The morning of 
the 1 2th, when a few miles west of Mexico, some 
of the cattle got down, and Mr. Mason climbed up 
on top of the cars and was making an effort to 
rouse them. Just at that time the axle of the car 
broke on which he was standing and he was thrown 
to the ground, receiving such injuries as caused 
his death the day following, at Mexico, in Audrain 
County. Mrs. Mason was summoned to his bedside 
and reached there about twelve hours before his 
death occurred. He was the son of George A. and 
Elizabeth (Cliipman) Mason, both natives of Ken- 
tucky, who removed to Ray County, Mo., in 1839 
and settled at Kuoxville, where for eight years the 
father carried on a grocery store. About 1847 he 
moved to Millville and carried on a general store. 
His death occurred in February, 1861. In 186.5, 
the family moved to Richmond, Mo., where Mrs. 
Mason died in January, 1876. 

Our subject was the eldest son of four children, 
and passed his boyhood in Knoxville and Mill- 
ville, where he attended the public schools, 
after which he attended the Fayette High School. 
On leaving the latter he entered his father's 
store and remained there until the death of that 
parent, when he removed with his mother and the 
children to Richmond. Here he engaijed inamer- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPmCAL RECORD. 



367 



cantile business, running a general store, at the 
same time handling grain and produce and live 
stock until his death. He was cut off in the midst 
of an active and successful career, and his death 
was deplored by the entire community. As a 
business man he had no superior and confidence in 
him was unshaken. All of his undertakings had 
been successful and he had accumulated a hand- 
some property, gained by upright dealings. 

Mr. Mason was married April 9, 1867, to Miss 
Alice Davis, of Richmond, a daughter of Dr. 
Nathaniel Davis, one of the honored citizens and 
successful physicians of Kay Count\'. Her mother 
was Maria (Allen) Davis, a most estimable woman, 
whose benevolent spirit manifested itself in kind- 
nesses and charities to those requiring it. Mrs. 
Mason was born and reared to womanhood in Ray 
Countj', where her parents were pioneers, and where 
slie received her education. She bore her husband 
one child, Charles "VV., a dealer in live stock, and 
also a pork-packer, and a j^oung man of promise 
with a very good knowledge of business. Mrs. 
Mason is a lady of excellent business habits, and 
at the same time kind and neighborly, having 
gathered about her a host of warm friends. The 
homestead which she occupies is a comfortable 
building surrounded by a grove of native and 
transplanted trees, where she welcomes her friends 
and entertains them with a genuine and hearty 
hospitality. 



<^[/ J. CAYWOOD, the eflicient and enterpris- 
( @/LI| iiig editor of the ably conducted Laclede 
I (i Blade, a prominent Republican organ, 
1^ publisbed in Laclede, Linn County, Mo., is 
widely known as an earnest and energetic citizen, 
and an ardent advocate of tlie party of reform. 
Mr. Caywood is a native of INIichigan, and was 
born in Wayne Countj^, of that State, in tiie year 
1865, August 8th. His father, Henry Caywood, 
born in England, there reached maturitj^, but 
early realizing the larger possibilities offered in 
the country beyond the broad Atlantic, emigrated 



to America while he was j'et a young man, and, 
having safeh' landed in New York, made his home 
in the Empire State for a brief time, and then jour- 
neyed to Michigan. Settling in Wayne County, 
he entered into the pursuit of agriculture, and 
subsequently married IMiss Eliza Cook, born and 
reared in the Stale, and a daughter of one of tlie 
pioneer settlers of Michigan. 

The father and mother of our subject were the 
parents of seven children, of whom A. J. was the 
fourth in order of birth. Mr. Caywood was about 
five years of age when with his parents he re- 
moved to Livingston County, Mo., where the 
father purchased railroad land and actively en- 
gaged in farming until 1880, when he retired from 
daily work, and with his wife enjoj's a well-earned 
rest, residing in the city of Laclede. Our subject 
received his early education in the public schools 
of Livingston County, and at seventeen years of 
age began to learn tiie trade of a printer. He was 
employed on various papers of the State until his 
return to Laclede and subsequent investment in 
the Blade, in May, 1890. A practical printer, of ex- 
cellent business attainments, and a writer of no 
mean ability, our subject has achieved excellent 
success thus far in his new enterprise. 

The Laclede Blade, a typographically attractive 
paper of four pages of seven columns, furnishes to 
a rapidly extending circulation, now numbering 
about six hundred subscribers, a most readable 
publication, containing the local news and latest 
items from the outside world. One of the main 
features of the Blade — its pungent, concise and 
able editorials — has gained the paper wide attention 
and manj' friends. Mr. Caywood is a prominent 
member of the Knights of Pythias, and has been 
District Deputy Grand Chancellor for thiscount}-. 
For years a worker in this honored order, he is 
also a member of the Grand Lodge. Politically 
he has alwaj-s affiliated with the Republican part}-, 
and the paper which he conducts but expresses his 
long-continued loyalty to the principles and plat- 
form which he has ever sustained with voice and 
pen. Our subject is a member of the Missouri 
State Press Association, and is recognized by his 
coadjutors and fellow-citizens as an earnest, up- 
right and conscientious man, faithful to every 



368 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



duty, public and private, intrusted to his care. 
Young in years, and standing upon tlie tlireshold 
of a career of usefulness and influence, he enjoys 
the high regard and best wishes of njany friends, 
who predict for him a prosperous and honored 
future. 



-^ 



^^^EORGE SANDERSON. Our subject, after 
il <^ spending a half-century upon the farm, 
^^M chose the village of Lawson, Mo., for his 
place of residence, and there lives a quiet life, dis- 
charging the duties of his station with earnest 
purpose, honestly seeking to do what is right. His 
gentlemanly deportment and sociable manners 
have won him man 3' friends. In the dispensing 
of justice he has proved himself a man of equity, 
with apt understanding of law and of common 
sense. Mr. Sanderson was born in Sumner County, 
Tenn., February 26, 1829, and was the son of Ed- 
ward Sanderson, who was born and reared in Vir- 
ginia, and went thence to Tennessee, where he mar- 
ried Miss Betsy Ann Holman. The father was a 
farmer, and when he came to Ray County, Mo., in 
1831, he resumed that occupation. One year later 
he bought land and settled upon it, and finally died 
there in 1877. He was father of five children by 
his first marriage, and the same number by his sec- 
ond union; four of the former are living and two 
of the latter. The father was a soldier in the War 
of 1812, being with Gen. Jackson at the battle of 
New Orleans, and he also took part in the Florida 
War. 

Our subject came with his father to K:iy County, 
and was brought up on the farm, receiving only 
such instruction as was then afforded in the country 
schools. Upon attaining manhood, he became a 
clerk, but in 1849 went back to the farm, where he 
remained until 1882. His first marriage occurred 
in 1851, to Miss Mary A. McGaugh, daughter 
of Dr. John B. McGaugh, an early settler of 
Ray County. She died in 1861, and three years 
later he married Miss Margaret Parrot, daughter 
of George Parrot, a farmer of Ray County, who 
had come hither at an early day from Tennessee. 



Five children were born of the first marriage of 
our subject, and two of the latter; the former were 
.IS follows: Fannie, wife of Josephus McAdams, 
who died in 1867; Rev. Alexander R., a preacher 
of the Christian Union Church, of Colorado; Phe- 
lix W., Hardy E. and George O., all farmers of 
Ray County. The children of the second mar- 
riage were: Ella Maj', wife of Oscar Moss; and 
Dora, wife of GeorgeT. Walker, of Oklahoma, who 
carries on farming at that place. 

In 1881 our subject gave up farm work and 
came into Lawson, where he engaged in the gro- 
cery business until 1884, since which time he has 
devoted his entire attention to the duties of his 
office as a Notary Public and Justice of the Peace. 
He is a Democrat, and has latel}' been elected to 
the oriice of Assessor. The Masonic order has 
strong attraction for him, and he was Master of 
Harmony Lodge at Vibbard for two years, and now 
holds connection with the lodge at Lawson. Mr. 
Sanderson is one of the oldest settlers of Lawson 
now residing in the village, and is universally es- 
teemed as a just and upright man. 



l^ICHARD W. BABCOCK. Living in a pic- 
IWr^ turesque country and surrounded by pleas- 
tii fl^. ant neighbors, our subject pursues the call- 
ing of a farmer with a degree of success 
that proves his knowledge of the business. His 
fine farm is located on section 17, township 54 
north, range 29 west. Our subject is the son of 
Prentis Babcock, a native of Stonington, Conn., 
born December 31, 1799, and Thankful Babcock, 
who was born in New London County, Conn. The 
grandfathers of our subject were military men, the 
paternal grandfather engaging in the Revolution- 
ary War, and the maternal in the War of 1812, 
particijjating in tiie battle of Stonington. Mrs. 
Thankful Babcock is still living, and makes her 
home with our subject. 

After the war, Prentis Babcock removed to Che- 
nango County, N. Y., where for twenty years 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



369 



he engaged in fanning. In 1841 he came to Mis- 
souri, locating in this township, where he entered 
and bought land, and industriously endeavored 
to make a pleasant home. Before he had accom- 
plished raucli more than a partial clearing of the 
land, death called him away. His children are all 
deceased excepting our subject. They were Paul, 
Leonard, Esther and Urania. Before passing to 
the sketch of our immediate subject, the biographer 
pauses to more particularly mention the excellent 
mother, to whose example and training her son 
owes much of his success. Her years now number 
eightj'-seven, she having been born July 15, 1805. 
She is the daughter of Ludwig and Mary (Davis) 
Babcock. Her grandfathers Davis and Babcock 
were both in the Revolutionary War, and in her 
own life, as the faithful wife of a pioneer phy- 
sician and farmer, both in New York and Mis- 
souri, she has had many and varied experiences. 
These are most interesting and reveal to some ex- 
tent the hardships of pioneer life on the frontier. 
After the death of Mr. Babcock she married Sam- 
uel Prior, and of that union two children were 
born, AVilliam and Beverly, deceased. 

Our subject was born December .31, 1837, in 
Chenango County, N. Y., about four j'ears before 
his father removed to this State. Here he grew 
to manhood, meanwhile obtaining his education 
in the common schools of Ray County. In 1881, 
in Missouri, he married Mrs. Mary Stockwell, a 
daughter of Isaac Tomlinson, who had come to 
this State from Virginia about the year 1855. 
Three children have been born of the marriage, one 
of whom, Harriet, is still living, and now attends 
school. The two others passed away in infancy, 
Louisa being but two years of age, and little Leon- 
ard only ten months. At this place Mr. Babcock 
has resided during almost all of his life. In March, 
1862, he became a soldier, entering Company C, 
Sixth Missouri State Cavalry, U. S. A., and was in 
the service three years, being mostly confined to 
border warfare. 

Our subject lias a fine farm of three hundred 
and twenty acres, which is well improved and 
\inder a fine state of cultivation. Here he engages 
in general farming and stock-raising, keeping a 
first-class variety of stock. Mr. Habcock belongs 



to Lorenzo Cooper Post No. 81, G. A. R., at La- 
throp. Mo. Politically, he is a Republican, bravely 
upholding the party's principles on all occasions. 
In 1859 he made an unsuccessful trip to the gold 
regions at Pike's Peak, after which he returned, 
satisfied with his old Missouri home. 



\f]OHN W. HUMPHFERS is a farmer residing 
I on section 25, township 57, range 22, Linn 
^^ I County, and is extensively engaged in rais- 
^^f) ing grain and live stock. Since his arrival 
in Missouri in 1880 he has been prominently con- 
nected with the improvements and progress of 
this communit3'. His father, Joseph Humphfers, 
was a native of Jackson County, Ohio, and was 
born in 1826. His parents were numbered among 
the honored pioneers of that region. Our sub- 
ject's mother in her girlhood was Miss Sarah Lit- 
trell. Her death occurred in 1865. The fatherv 
was one of the noted "squirrel-hunters" of Ohio. 
He was a Republican, and held a number of town 
ship offices. Both himself and wife were members 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He wascalled 
to his final rest in October, 1890, having passed 
his years in usefulness and integrity. 

John W., of this sketch, was born September 18, 
1848, in Jackson Countj', Ohio, and was one of 
nine children, of whom eigiit are living. He was 
reared on a farm, receiving the advantages of the 
district schools. During the Civil War, when he 
was but sixteen 3'ears of age, he drove a commis- 
sary wagon for sixty days, but on account of sick- 
ness was obliged to return home. On reaching 
man's estate he started out in the world to make 
his own way. At that time he had eighty acres 
of land, which were partially improved, and this he 
carried on for some time, also teaming coal and 
iron ore. 

In 1872 Mr. Humphfers married Martha A., 
daughter of L. D. Lively, who is still living in 
Jackson County, Ohio, where he is a prominent 
man and an extensive farmer. He is Steward and 
Class-i(!ad(>r in the Methodist E[)iseopal Church. 



370 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



The wife of our subject was born Januaiy 15, 
1851, in .lackson County, where she obtained a 
good education. Of their eight children, seven 
survive. Tliej' are: Norris, Truman, Elmer, Harry, 
Herbert, Cliarles and Earl C. The devoted wife 
and mother was called to the home beyond May 
16, 1892. She was a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church North, was a teacher in the Sun- 
day-school, a member of the Ladies' Missionary- 
Society, and was active in all good works. 

In 1880 Mr. Humplifers removed to Missouri, 
previous to which time he had continued to carry 
on his farm in Ohio. He settled on Maj.Fornian's 
farm in Linn County, where he remained for a 
year, until deciding where to buy property. He 
then i)urchased his present farm, which consists of 
one hundred and seventy-five acres, all improved. 
In 1884 he erected a nice home, costing 11,500, 
and in the same year a commodious barn at a cost 
of $300. He has a good orchard, having himself 
set out one hundred apple trees. 

Our subject is Steward and Trustee in the Trin- 
ity Methodist Episcopal Church, which he assisted 
in building, and which is located on his own land. 
He has been actively interested in church work, 
liaving been a teacher in the Sunday-school. He 
is giving liis boys the benefit of a good education 
and is a Director in the Fountain Grove School. 
Politically, he is a Republican, and socially, is a 
member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, 
of Mead vi lie. 



-^ 



THOMAS SHIMMIN. Although not a na- 
tive-born American, our subject is none the 
less a good citizen of this great and fi-ee 
country, of which he has been a resident for many 
years, having come to the United States when a 
young man of twenty-four. Mr. Shimmin is a na- 
tive of the Isle of Man, having been born in the 
town of Peel, November 18, 1811. At the early 
age of fourteen, he began to learn the trade of 
blacksmith under his father, also named Thomas 
Shimmin, with wliom he remained for some time; 



but as the days passed on, the young man resolved 
to see something of the great world outside and 
beyond the little island of his nativity. 

In pursuance of this idea, before Mr. Shimmin 
crossed the ocean, he traveled in many parts of 
England and Scotland, but finally, in 1836, emi- 
grated to America, landing at Philadelphia April 
13 of the same year. For two 3'ears he remained 
in the City of Brotherly Love, pursuing his calling 
of blacksmith and carriage-maker, but, on the 
5th of February, 1838, he enlisted as blacksmith 
and went from Philadelphia to New York, thence 
to New Orleans, and from there to Indian Terri- 
tory. His next place of location was Leaven- 
worth, Kan., where he received his honorable dis- 
charge, February 5, 1841. At that date he removed 
to Ray County, Mo., selecting Camden as his first 
place of residence; but he only remained there a 
short time. In 1869, he removed to California, 
where he remained a year, and then returned to 
Knoxville, Ray County, Mo., at which place he 
has been pursuing his trade ever since, and as he 
is an excellent workman, he controls a large and 
profitable business. 

The marriage of our sul)jeet was solemnized 
with Miss Sara .Jane Yoakcum, a daughter of 
Jacob Yoakcum, and b3' this marriage two sons 
were born: John H., and Jacob T., deceased. 
Mr. Shimmin is a Mason in good standing, con- 
nected with King Hiram Lodge No. 309, A. F. 
ife A. M., of which he is the efficient Treas- 
urer, having held that position for the past fif- 
teen years. He is also one of the Trustees of 
the same lodge. The principles of the Demo- 
cratic party are fully in accordance with his own 
views, and he is very active in supporting the 
same. While in England, our subject was con- 
firmed in the Church of England, and since com- 
ing to America has continued a member of the 
Episcopal Church, while his wife is a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church South. During the 
entire time of the Civil War the sympathies of our 
subject were with the Union and he always aided 
the cause of the North upon .all occasions pos- 
sible. Pursuing the even tenor of his way, our 
subject has made many friends for himself in 
the town of Knoxville and the surrounding dis- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



371 



trict, and all of them unite in speaking well of the 
genial, pleasant gentleman, who has proven him- 
self a good and reliable person in every position 
he has been called npon to fill, both of a private 
and public nature. 



jfj^EMP M. AVOODS, Jr., is widely known for 
(si<^ his ripe understanding of matters of liirance^ 

/fc fl\ and comprehensive grasp of business gen- 
^ erall}'. His judgment is clear and his ad- 
vice is sought very frequently upon a variety of 
subjects, his opinion being held in high esteem. 
He was born in Platte Township, Clay County, 
Mo., May 20, 1847, and is the j'oungest of three 
children born of the first marriage of his father, 
the others being Phineas S. and Mary C. His par- 
ents, Kemp M. and Sarah (Skinner) Woods, were na- 
tives of Kentucky, the father having been born in 
Woodford County in 1813. The mother was a 
daughter of Phineas Shinner, of English descent. 
She was born in Clark County, Kj'., and accom- 
panied her parents to Platte County, Mo., when a 
child. 

After the marriage of Kemp M. Woods and Sarah 
Skinner, which was solemnized in Platte County, 
they came to Clay County, where Mr. AVoods fol- 
lowed the occupation of a farmer and stock-raiser. 
In time he became one of the most prosperous 
farmers of the county and a very large land-owner, 
his possessions aggregating two thousand acres. 
Later he conducted a flourishing store at Smith- 
ville, and dealt extensively in hemp, which at that 
time was a verj' profitable product of the country. 
He also engaged in pork-packing and operated a 
large horse mill for the grinding of corn for his 
neighbors. In fact, he was a man well fitted to be 
a pioneer, being kind and obliging and often aid- 
ing settlers in locating their lands. 

In politics, Kemp M. Woods took an active part, 
and as he was liberal in his views he possessed the 
confidence of the people in general, who depended 
much upon his good judgment. At the time of 
the candidacy of Ucll and I'.verelt, he cast his vote 



for them, not onl}' admiring them as men, but be- 
lieving also in the principles they vindicated. 
During the war, he was in Kentuckj', but after- 
ward he returned to his farm in Clay County, and 
remained there some years, when he again em- 
barked in the mercantile business, having taken 
his son as partner. The establishment was con- 
ducted under the firm name of Kemp M. Woods & 
Son, but after three j-ears the father retired from 
business life. Three children were born of his 
first marriage and four of his second union, his 
second wife being Mrs. Sarah J. (Childs) Hamilton, 
and her four children were: Mary E., who died 
when young; John B., Henry A. and Cornelius H. 
Phineas S., our subject's eldest brother, was killed 
in cold blood while on a furlough visiting his rela- 
tives, being at that time (1864) a member of Price's 
arm}'. Our subject passed his }'Outh on the farm 
and attended the common schools, subsequently 
passing some time at the Platte City Academy, 
following which he took a course at Spaulding's 
Commercial College in Kansas Cit}'. Upon his re- 
turn to Smithville, he became interested in farming, 
in merchandising, and also in the stock business. 
Afterward he removed to Grundj' County, Mo., 
where he engaged in farming for one year; but 
not finding that to his taste, became a railroad 
contractor, and furnished ties for the Rock Island 
Railroad. In connection with two other parties, 
the firm name being Shankton, Austin & AVoods, 
he furnished that road some three hundred thou- 
sand rails and was successfully engaged in this 
business for three years. . 

Mr. AVoods married Miss Lillie M., the eldest 
daughter of AVilliam T. AViglesworth. After mar- 
riage, he remained at the home of his father and 
took charge of his farm, comprising two thousand 
acres near Smithville. AVhile residing here, he 
was elected Justice of the Peace, Notary Public 
and President of the School Board. He removed 
for a short time to Bates County, Mo., but returned 
to Clay County, where he engaged in the real- 
estate business and also carried on farming until 
March, 1887, at which time he came to Liberty. 

Soon after reaching this city, our subject organ- 
ized the bank of Kemp M. AVoods, Jr.; & Co., of 
which he l)ecame President and L. G. Klliott 



372 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Casliier. lie devotes the greater portion of his 
time to a general banking business, occasionally 
looking after liis farming interests. He has pre- 
pared to set out an orchard of five thousand five 
hundred apple-trees in the spring of 1893. Mr. 
and Mrs. Woods have three children: Pliineas, 
Froncie and William W, Our subject is a promi- 
nent man in Cla}' County and has held the posi- 
tion of President of the Clay County Mutual 
Building and Loan Association for the past three 
years. He organized what is known as the Far- 
mers' Bank at Smithville, where he is building a 
fine two-story business block, the upper story be- 
ing intended for hotel purposes. He is the kind 
of man a progressive town needs, one who looks 
far into the future and with a clear eye discerns 
wliat will benefit his home and count}'. In his 
political opinions, he is a Democrat and has been 
active in the part}' ranks for man}' years. Soci- 
ally, he is connected with the Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows and at present holds the position 
of Representative in District No. 28, in the Grand 
Lodge -of the State of Missouri. He is also Captain 
Commandant of St. Elmo Canton recently organ- 
ized at Liberty. 



'' ' °S- 



'z^^- 



[f,-^ IRAM K. BARGAR is one of Linn County's 
\W J* leading farmers, his residence being on 
/^^^ section 14, township 57, range 22, Linn 
(^/ County, lie has risen from the lowest 
rounds in the ladder of life by his firm determina- 
tion to succeed and his practical business methods, 
combined with his native qualities of industry and 
perseverance. He has nearly seven hundred acres 
of land, three hundred of which are comprised in 
his home farm. It is all improved and fenced 
into fields of convenient size. 

Hiram K. Bargar was born January 21, 1845, in 
Harrison County, Ohio, and is a son of John and 
Eliza A. (Gatchell) Bargar. He was reared on a 
farm, receiving a limited district-scliool education. 
He attended seliool onl}' three months in the year, 
and after the breaking out of the war his chances 



were extremel}' slim in the acquisition of an edu- 
cation. As his two brothers were in the service, a 
great deal of responsibility and work fell upon his 
young shoulders. He remained at home until he 
reached his majority, when, in company with his 
brother. Judge J. G. Bargar (see sketch), who had 
just returned from the war, he came to Missouri. 
They settled on section 14, township 57, which 
was then all wild land, and continued together 
for six years, working on a tract of one hundred 
and sixty acres. Thej' then divided the property 
and dissolved partnership. 

In 1868, Mr. Bargar married Miss Esther, daugh- 
ter of Andrew and Margaret (Baird) SprouU, both 
deceased, and who were former residents and early 
settlers in Tuscarawas County, Ohio. Mrs. Bargar 
was born in Jul}-, 1847, in that county, where she 
received her education. As they have no children 
of their own, our subject and his wife are mak- 
ing a home for the two ciiildren of his deceased 
sister. The}' are Laura E. and Harry C. Latto, 
whom they intend giving the best advantages in 
the way of an education. 

In the spring of 1870, Mr. Bargar erected a resi- 
dence on his present farm, whicii was then unim- 
proved and comprised but one hundred and forty 
acres. This house, which cost about $300, and was 
but 16x24 feet in dimensions, is still standing. 
His barn, a structure of 14x20 feet, cost $150. His 
present home, built in 1873, is 16x32 feet, with an 
additional 14 foof'L," and cost upward of ii!l,500.. 
His large horse barn is 32x56 feet, while one barn 
used for cattle is 26x40, and one for sheep 42x44. 
He has also a number of other necessary farm build- 
ings. He has an orchard of one hundred trees, in 
which can he found several varieties of apple, 
peach and pear trees. He also cultivates small 
fruits largely. His farm is all well fenced, with 
the exception of twenty acres, and on a portion of 
his farm located on section 22 there is also a good 
house and barn. He raises one hundred acres of 
corn, about forty aci'cs of oats, and the remainder 
in grass. He is also an extensive stock-raiser, hav- 
ingseven liundredaud fifty head of sheep of high- 
grade American Merinoes. He has seventy-five 
head of cattle, ninety hogs and thirty-two horses. 

In 1800, in company with L. M. Goodale (of 




^ i^-o-Aij '■" ■■■%.,., 




/- 




-^-2>^^ c 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



375 



whom see sketch), Mr. Bargar organized the Pio- 
neer Bank of Meadville, with a capital stock of 
$5,000, tlie firm being known as Goodale, Bargar 
<fe Co. Our subject is also a stockholder and one 
of the Board of Directors in the Meadville Milling 
Co. In local affairs, he has alwa_ys been active, and 
has served as Director of District No. 6. He is a 
member of the Knights of Pythias; of the Ancient 
Order of United Workmen; and is Treasurer of 
the Anti-Horse Thief Association. He has al- 
ways been a supporter of the Republican party, 
and has been much interested in its welfare. He 
believes that the average farmer makes it pay bet- 
ter to handle fine high-grade stock, and attributes 
his success to hard work and close attention to 
business. He always helps in building churches 
and other public improvements. His wife is a 
member of the Christian Church. 



' UGUST WILLIAM ZILLMAN, M. D., a 
medical practitioner of Indian Grovci 
Chariton County, is rapidly extending his 
field of professional work througliout the 
surrounding countrj^ artd achieving an enviable 
reputation as a successful family physician and 
surgeon. Our subject is a native of Germany, 
and was born in the province of Brandenburg, 
near Berlin, December 3, 1859. He was the third 
in a family of eight children, and was trained in 
the correct observance of polite life, and taught to 
cultivate intelligent habits of observation as an 
efficient aid to the ordinary education of life. 
His parents, William and Dorathea (Maas) Zillman, 
were natives of the province of Brandenburg. 
The mother was of French-German descent, and 
the ancestry of the father, who was born in 1830, 
was traced to old German families who had given 
the Government faithful military service, from 
which he himself had been excused on account of 
physical disability. 

Married when he was about twenty- fi ve yeai'S of 
age, AVilliani Zillman remained for some j'cars af- 
ter in his native land, and in tlie Old Country the 



three eldest of his children were born. In 1861, 
August being then about two years of age, tlie 
famil}' arrived in America, and soon located upon 
the prairies of Illinois. There the father, who 
had been a farmer in Germany, at once entered 
upon agricultural duties and operated as a renter 
until 1870. At that time he removed with his 
family to Missouri, and purchased a homestead, 
now owning a magnificent farm, whose four hun- 
dred acres fully attest the thrift, industrj' and 
excellent management of its possessor. One of 
the main objects in life with the father and mother 
of Dr. Zillman was to give to their children every 
possible opportunitj' for an extended education. 
AVhen William Zillman became one of the Trustees 
of the district schools he rendered valuable aid in 
raising the grade of instruction, and materially 
benefited the youth of the neighborhood. 

Our subject was reared until eleven j'ears of age 
upon the tenant farm in Illinois, and there at- 
tended the common schools. Afterward in Mis- 
souri he completed a preparatory education in the 
home schools. When eighteen 3'ears of age he 
entered the State University of Missouri at Colum- 
bia, and commenced a five-years course, inter- 
rupted only by the vacations, in which time he 
was emploj'ed mostly in hard work upon his fa- 
ther's farm. One winter term, however, he taught 
in the Allen district of his county. Returning to 
Columbia with his purse replenished by his own 
efforts as bread-winner, he studied for one more 
year in the classical course, and then decided to 
enter the medical department, in which he remained 
for one year,and then matricul.ited at Rush Medical 
College, Chicago, joining the Class of 1885-86. De- 
voting himself closely to his studies. Dr. Zillman 
was graduated with honor, and immediately after 
began the active practice of his profession at In- 
dian Grove, where liis medical ability and excellent 
judgment soon won for him many friends and 
patients. His is largely a country practice, and as 
he is located in a rich farming district, among an 
intelligent class of pco|)le, his future outlook is 
very promising. 

June 11, 1889, Dr. Zillman married Miss Flor- 
ence Bogard, a daughter of one of the oldest fam- 
ilies in the State. Her father was a native Ten- 



376 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



nesscean, but an early settler in Missouri, and is 
still hale and hearty. Her mother was a member 
of the well-known family of Mullins, of Saline 
County, and died in 1878. Mrs. Zillman is an ac- 
complished and most estimable lady, and is the 
mother of one child, a bright little son, AVilliam J., 
who was born April 3, 18'.»0. Our subject and his 
wife are actively interested in the social and be- 
nevolent enterprises of their locality, and are ever 
ready to do their share in all good work. Occu- 
pying a position of usefulness and honor. Dr. Zill- 
man is an important factor in the development of 
the best intei'ests of Chariton County. Energetic 
and faithful in the discharge of every duty, pro- 
gressive in his ideas and liberal in sentiment, he 
is numbered among the leading and substantial 
citizens of this part of the Stale. 



^ 



, EV. GILBERT T. THOMPSON. The sneer 
of the scoffer cannot lower the dignity, 
importance and sanctity of the sacred office 
^^ of the ministry. The exalted character of 
clergymen, and the immortal truths they teach, 
dear as thej' are to mankind, invoke interest, re- 
spect and reverence. The subject of this sketcli is 
one who, wherever he goes, commands the confi- 
dence and esteem of all who may know him. At 
present the pastor of the Presbyterian Church at 
Lawson, Ray County, he was born in what is now 
Bartow County, Ga., April 15, 1847. His father 
was Mathew Thompson, a highlj- respected planter 
of the State above named. 

Our subject was reared in Bartow County, and 
completed his literary education at Sonora Masonic 
Institute, of Gordon County, Ga. Afterward he 
took a course of private study in theology, and 
entered the ministry, taking a charge at Tunnell 
Hill, Ga. He was married in 1865 to Josej)hine 
A., daughter of Judge David King, of Callioun, 
Gordon County, Ga., an able lawj'cr and noted 
jurist of Northern Georgia. Our subject remained 
at Tunnell Hill for three years, when he accepted 
a call to Maiuy County, Tenn., and remained 
there for six years. Following that he resided at 



Franklin, Tenn., for two years; thence removed to 
Tahlequah, Indian Territorj', and staid one 3'ear. 
He supplied the pulpit of the Westminster Church 
at Springfield, and at the same time preached at 
Ash Grove. For two years he was at McKinney, 
Tex., and at Sherman, that State, for the same 
length of time. In the latter place he was con- 
nected with Austin College in the absence of the 
President, teaching and having the responsibility' 
of the management of the college. From Sher- 
man he came to Lawson, in wiiich place he has 
since remained. 

Our subject is the father of seven children, 
uamel}': Prof. Allison Thompson, who occupies the 
chair of Latin in Austin College, Tex.; Rev. Ernest 
Thompson, pastor of the Presbyterian Church at 
Texarkana, Tex.; Prof. Milton Thompson, Chief 
of the Department of Ancient Languages, and 
Commander of Cadets in the Presbyterian College, 
of Upper Missouri; J. Kid Thompson, who has 
charge of the preparatory military department 
of the Central University of Kentucky; Cleo, who 
is attending school and will finish her course in 
music and literature in the summer of 1893; Gil- 
bert T., who is in the junior class at school; and 
Mathew, also at school. 

Dr. Thompson is a Trustee, and one of the first 
to be appointed, of the college at Lawson, and is 
also Chairman of the Executive Committee. The 
college was founded in 1891, and the prospect is 
flattering for its continued success, $20,000 having 
been expended in new buildings and grounds. The 
wife of our subject is a most estimable lady, to 
whom he ascribes most of his success as a minister 
and in the rearing of their children for positions 
of honor. In her veins is the blood of one of the 
first families of Georgia. Dr. Thompson is a Mas- 
ter and a Royal Arch Mason, and is identified with 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, with which 
organization he is prominently connected. He was 
a soldier in Company I, Fortieth Georgia Regiment, 
C. S. A., and participated in the siege of Vicksburg, 
and the campaign from Dalton, Ga., to the close of 
the war. He w.as captured and paroled twice, and 
finally surrendered in Georgia. At tiie close of the 
war he was Sergeant- JIajor of Col. Baker's regi- 
inciit, operating in North (Georgia under AVhccler. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



377 



lu his miiiisleiial work Dr. Thompson has been 
most successful, and has promoted the welfare of 
the churches wherever he has gone. Indeed, he 
ma_y be properl_y termed a builder of churclies, and 
an Evangelist. A man of powerful phj'sique, 
never having been confined to his bed by sickness 
a day in his life, he is capable of doing hard work, 
and has done it. His children are members of the 
church, and none of them use tobacco or liquor. 
He is a strong advocate of temperance, and lends 
his hearty co-operation lo all movements looking 
to reform in this direction. Democratic principles 
best reflect his political views, and he casts his 
vote for the candidates of that party. 



■S^ DWIN WITHERS. Our subject is an intel- 
ll^! ligent farmer and stock-raiser of Clay 
/ i* — ^ County, and has gained prominence as a 
public-spirited citizen. He resides in a handsome 
residence at Liberty, and is the owner of a splen- 
did farm of seven hundred acres, well improved 
and cultivated, located near LibertJ^ He was 
born in Libertj', Clay County, Mo., .January 15, 
1812, his father being Abijah Withers, a farmer 
and a native of Virginia. The mother of our 
subject. Prudence B. (White) Withers, was born 
in Kentucky in 1810, the daughter of William 
White. The family of Withers, an honored one 
in Virginia, had its origin in L'eland. 

In 1839 Abijah Withers removed from AVood- 
ford County, Ky., with his famil3' to Cla^- County, 
Mo., and settled upon a farm of one thousand 
seven hundred acres. At the time of his death 
the farm contained one thousand acres. This 
highly esteemed old gentleman died in 1879, in his 
eighty-first year, he having been born in 1799.. His 
demise occurred at Kansas City, while on a visit 
to his sons. He had six boys and as many girls, 
our subject being the 3'oungest son. Three sons 
and two daughters now survive. 

Edwin Withers attended the common schools of 
Clay Count}-, after which he spent six years in 
study in William .Jewell College. Upon leav- 



ing this institution he directed his energies to 
farming and stock-raising, and soon began to 
trade in stock with decided success, shipping to 
various markets large consignments of hogs and 
cattle. He also devoted his attention to the feed- 
ing of cattle, his farm being located in one of the 
finest corn belts in Missouri, and consisting, as 
stated, of seven hundred acres, with improved 
stock and substantial buildings. 

In 1888 our subject removed to IJberty, al- 
though he continues to give his attention to his 
farm and his stock interests. His residence, which 
was erected under his immediate supervision, is a 
large and imposing structure, of latest design and 
finish and well furnished throughout. Mr. With- 
ers was married February 3, 1874, to Miss Julia 
jMiller, daughter of Robert H. and Enna (Peters) 
Miller, her father having formerlj* been the editor 
of the Liberty Tribune and a very prominent old 
settler of Liberty. Mr. and Mrs. Withers aie the 
parents of one child, Edna Irene. 

Mr. Withers is a Democrat, and while not tak- 
ing as prominent and active part in political 
affairs as some others, contributes no small part to 
the work of the partj' b}' his influence and his 
words. He is a man of sterling character, true to 
his word, honest in his convictions, and a just man 
in his dealings with his fellow-men. The influence 
for good of such a man in his community cannot 
be fully measured, nor is it ever fully appreciated. 



lYRON O. MASON. A man of industrious 
habits, sociable, of pleasant manners, kind 
and ueighborlj', our subject h.as many 
friends and well-wishers in Raj' County. 
His farm is located in township 52, range 27, 
where he resides with his family and dispenses 
hospitality with characteristic liberality. He is 
a j'oung and prosperous grower of grain and 
raiser of stock, born in 1870, on the farm adjoin- 
ing that upon which he now lives. His parents 
were Samuel O. and Georgfia A. (l)elaney) Mason, 



378 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



natives of Kentucky, the father having been born 
Ma J' 31, 1835, in Mason County, Ky. The father 
emigrated when quite young, and came with his 
parents to La Fayette County, Mo., where he re- 
ceived a good coramon-scliool education, after 
which he began farming. 

During the war Samuel Mason enlisted from La 
ra3ette County with Gen. Joe Shelb}' and served 
for some time in the Confederate armj', being fin- 
ally discharged at Baton Rouge, La., after which 
he returned to Missouri and resumed farming, lo- 
cating in Ray County. He had married Septem- 
ber 23, 185C, ]\Iiss Georgia Ann Delaney, a resi- 
dent of Lexington, La Faj'ette County, Mo., but a 
native of Kentucky, who bore him eight children, 
two of whom died in infaucj'. The other children 
are: Robert W., deceased; Ida J., the widow of 
George W. Braden; Flora J., wife of R. J. Clark; 
Alvin C, deceased; Byron O., our subject; and 
Georgia A., at home. The father was called upon 
to mourn an excellent wife and his children a 
devoted mother, August 9, 1878, when Mrs. Ma- 
son passed away. 

During his lifetime the father traveled exten- 
sively throughout the United States, but never 
saw any region he liked better than Ray Countj'. 
He arrived in this county with empty hands, but 
soon purchased two hundred and twenty-five 
acres of raw land, which he afterward exchanged 
for a farm of three hundred and thirty-seven acres, 
where our subject now resides. He and his wife 
were members of the Baptist Church, being ear- 
nest and devoted believers in its doctrines and 
faith. In politics he was a Democrat and alwaj's 
took a lively interest in public matters. Death 
claimed him for its own and he passed away 
quietly after a life spent honestly and honoi'ably 
in every way. 

The education of our subject was obtained in 
the public schools of Kay County. After the 
death of his father one of the brothers took charge 
of the farm, but at the age of sixteen 3'ears our 
subject succeeded him in the management of 
affairs, and has continued in that position ever 
since. He is industrious, progressive and a de- 
cidedly successful j'oung farmer, who is liked by 
every one. With the advantages he now enjoys 



and his thoroughly established habits of industry 
and economy, he cannot fail to attain success in 
his business of stock-raising and feeding stock 
during the winters. 



m>^^<^ 



S. PETTY is a level-headed man of busi- 
ness, at the head of a very important indus- 
^^, I tr^' in the village of Vibbard, Ray County, 
(^/y Mo.,— the well-known Vibbard Mills. He 
was born in Ra}' County, Mo., May 7, 1844, a son 
of Joseph Petty, who was born in Virginia, where 
he was reared and educated. In that State the fa- 
ther married Miss Fann3r Noulan, and then, in 
1832, came to Ray Count}', where he bought land 
near Alban}'. He engaged in farming, and con- 
tinued at that occupation until 1862, when he en- 
listed in Price's army, and died in 1863. His widow 
is living, at the age of eighty-two, in California. 

The father of our subject had nine children, of 
whom seven are living. The children were as fol- 
lows: Mary Ann Bates, living at the old place; 
David T. living in Kansas; John living in In- 
dian Territory'; Susanna Tolle, living in Califor- 
nia; Napoleon B., who was killed b}' the bush- 
whackers; our subject; Nannie Willis, deceased; 
Richard, living in California; and Martha Cora 
Powell, also living in California. The father of these 
children was a member of the Missionary Baptist 
Church. He was a successful farmer, and would no 
doubt have greatly added to his earnings but for 
his untimely death. 

Our subject was educated in the country schools 
of his district, and profited bj' the instruction he 
there received. In 1861, he enlisted in Company 
D, First Missouri Cavalry, under command of Col. 
Gates. He was in the army three years; was 
wounded at the battle of Pea Ridge, where he lost 
an eye, and was taken prisoner at the same time, but 
was soon exchanged, and went to Little Rock, 
where he remained until he recovered, and joined 
his command at Corinth, Miss. He was again taken 
prisoner at Big Black Run, the day before the bat- 
tle of Vicksburg, and was taken to Indianapolis for 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



379 



a time, tlieu transferred to Ft. Delaware, and later 
to Point Lookout, Md. There, in 1864, Le took 
tiie oath of allegiance to the United States Gov- 
ernment, was released and returned home, but was 
conii)elled to go to Salt Lake City, where he re- 
mained until 1869. 

When Mr. Pett^' returned home, he went to 
farming on his mother's place, but two V'ears after- 
ward bought a farm, which he occupied for three 
years, and then sold it to go upon the Grace place, 
a portion of which he afterward bought, and re- 
mained upon it for four years. He then went to 
Kansas, where he spent three years. The mill was 
bought two years after his return from Kansas, and 
he has managed it ever since. He was married in 
1872 to Miss Mary, daughter of Mr. Batts, an old 
settler of the county'. Our subject is a member 
of the Masonic order, and takes much interest in 
its affairs. He is a member of the ^Missionary Bap- 
tist Church, and is a valued member of that bod}'. 
Politicallj', he is a Democrat. The Vibbard Mill 
is building up an enviable reputation for the qnal- 
it3' of the flour it is turning out, it being the aim 
of Mr. Petty to gel out the best product possible. 



\ i^=^ ' 



^l UDGE .JAMES A. HOWE, a merchant for the 
past thirteen 3'ears in Bucklin, is one of the 
prominent and influential men of the 
^^ county. He has held various offices of re- 
sponsibilit}- and honor, was Justice of the Peace 
for four years, and was elected County Judge In 
1883, serving his full term, after which he was re- 
elected for another four years in 1887. The last 
four years he was presiding Judge. 

William Howe, the father of our subject, was 
born in Kentucky, March 2;i, 1814. Hcemigrated 
to Missouri about the 3ear 1830, settling in How- 
ard County, where he married Miss Nancy Dorrell, 
also a native of Kentucky, who was born August 
7, 1814. At the end of a few 3'ears Mr. Howe re- 
moved to Monroe County, where he carried on a 
farm for some five or six years. Thence he went 
to Clarke Township, Chariton County, where he 



was numbered among the early pioneers. In that 
county he remained until April 23, 1852, when he 
became a resident of Linn County, here making 
his home for a number of years, after which he 
settled in Macon County, where his death occurred 
in 1883. His devoted wife and companion had 
been called to the home be3'ond man 3' years prev- 
iousl3', her death taking place in June, 1859. 
The3' were both active members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church South, and b3' their man3' amia- 
ble qualities endeared themselves to all. 

William and Nanc3' Howe were the parents of 
twelve children, seven of whom are now deceased. 
Of the remaining five our subject is the eldest. 
He had two brothers in the arin3-: John M., who 
served for five years in the Twenty-third Missouri 
Infantry, and George W., who vvas a member of 
Compan3' I, Forty -second Missouri Infantry. The 
living brothers and sisters are: Agnes J., now Mrs. 
Montgomery; Mary B\, now Mrs. Metcalf; and Jo- 
seph J. 

Judge Howe was born Jul}- 5, 1837, and was 
reared on a farm in his native county, Monroe. He 
received a good common-school education and .as- 
sisted his father on the farm until uearh' twenty- 
two years of age. He commenced the business of 
life for himself as a farmer in Macon Count3', 
where he resided until 1876, at which time he re- 
moved to Linn Count}' and settled on a farm five 
miles southeast of Bucklin. This was an improved 
piece of property, and there he remained, engaged 
in agricultural pursuits, until 1880, when he re- 
moved to Bucklin .and has since been engaged in 
the mercantile business. 

On the 23d of February, 1859, Judge Howe and 
Miss Rachael S. Cupp were united in marriage. The 
lady is a native of Chariton County, and is a 
daughter of Isaac Cupp, now deceased, who was a 
soldier in the Mexican War, and one of the hon- 
ored old settlers of Chariton County. Mrs. Howe 
was born February 3, 1836, and by her marriage 
has become the mother of eight children, the fol- 
lowing-named now surviving: Louisa, the wife of 
Alonzo Slaughter, lives in Chariton County, and 
has three children; Laura, wife of S. D. Arbuckle, 
lives in Bucklin, and is the mother of one child; 
Isaac Simpson, who married Addie Hudson, b3' 



380 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



whom he has one child, is also a resideut of this 
village, as is also Sarilda I., wife of J. C. Lawson, 
and the mother of one child; and the j'oungest 
of the family, William Ilarvej', who is unmar- 
ried, is a printer in Brookfield. They have all 
been given good school privileges and are re- 
spected citizens of the communities in which they 
make their homes. 

The Judge has always taken a very active in- 
terest in politics, and lias been frequently made a 
delegate to the different conventions of the Demo- 
cratic part}'. He has held many of the most im- 
portant countj' and township offices, among which 
we here mention that he was Assessor, while a res- 
ident of Macon County, for four years, and was 
also Justice of the Peace there for four years. He 
has been Assessor of this township for two years 
and a member of the School Board a number of 
times. As stated at the beginning of this record, 
he served for six years as the Linn County Judge. 
In 1885 he was beaten by three votes in his race 
for the Judgeship. He has been a member of the 
Masonic order since 186G, and has filled the offices 
of Junior and Senior Warden, Junior Deacon and 
Worshipful Master of Bucklin Lodge No. 233. He 
also is a member of the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows at Bucklin, and has been connected 
with the order of Good Templars. In the late 
Civil War he was for three months a member of 
Capt. Cunningham's company. Sixty-second Mis- 
souri Militia, serving for three months. The 
Judge and his wife are members of the Cumber- 
land Presbyterian Church of Bucklin, and are zeal- 
ous workers in the same. 



J Tames W. dodge, the enterprising and 
I popular proprietor of the only hotel and 
I restaurant in Purdin, Linn County, Mo., 
,^j_^ devoted the earlier part of his life to teacli- 
ing, and, a most successful instructor, has also 
held various positions of trust, faithfully discharg- 
ing all duties entrusted to his care and winning 



the respect and confidence of a wide circle of ac- 
quaintances. Mr. Dodge was born in Erie County, 
Pa., September 7, 1844. The father of our sub- 
ject, Edmund Dodge, is a prominent farmer of 
Linn County, and now resides about five miles 
east of Purdin, upon a valuable homestead, where 
he engages profitably in general agriculture and 
stock-raising. James W. is the eldest of the four 
children of his parents' f ami I3'. George L. lives in 
Purdin and is engaged in managing the store and 
business of F. G. Craig; Mrs. Emma (Dodge) 
Adams, the eldest sister, resides about eight miles 
west of Purdin; and Mrs. Clara (Dodge) Ormis- 
ton makes her home in Kansas. 

The Dodge family removed from Pennsylvania 
to La Salle County, 111., when our subject was 
about one and one-half years old, and he there 
grew to a sturdy and self-reliant manhood. In 
the excellent public schools of his home locality 
he gained a good practical education and ambi- 
tiously improved every opportunity to increase 
his stock of knowledge. In 1867 James W. Dodge 
and Alice E. Trowbridge were united in marriage. 
Mrs. Dodge was the daugiiter of Henry Trow- 
bridge, a prominent merchant and agriculturist of 
Freeport, 111. Mr. Tiowbridge afterward removed 
to Linneus, Mo., where he successfully ran a gro- 
cery and general store until his death. After the 
marriage of our subject he remained one j'ear in 
Illinois, and then came to Missouri, and located 
in Grantsville, Linn Countj', upon the homestead 
where he resided for fifteen years, and which is 
still in his possession, although his home is now 
in Purdin. Mr. Dodge also owns a fine farm 
of one hundred acres, all under a high state of 
cultivation. 

In 1892 our subject came to Purdin and entered 
into the active duties of the business which he is 
now prosperously conducting, and which was for- 
merly in the hands of Mr. RileJ^ Mr. Dodge en- 
gaged in teaching at a very early age and made 
that vocation his constant pursuit for more than 
a quarter of a century, continuing as an instructor 
from his eighteenth vear until lie was fort3'-flve 
years old. He tauglit at first four years in Illi- 
nois and then came to Linn County, where he 
found ready ein|)l((vmcnt in tlie schools. Our 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



381 



subject has but one child, Mrs. Anna Hale, whose 
husband is in the butcher business near Purdin. 
Mrs. llalc is widely known and highly esteemed, 
and, with her parents, is foremost in aiding both 
the social and benevolent enterprises in Purdin. 

Fraternally, Mr. Dodge is a member of the 
Ancient Order of United Workmen, and is also 
connected with Lodge No. 468, I. O. O. K., at 
Purdin. Politically, he is a strong Republican, 
and was Clerk of Grantville Township for several 
years, and for a long time was Assessor of the 
township, transacting the business of the position 
to the great satisfaction of the neighboring com- 
munities. Aside from bis other duties, our subject 
is a Notary Public, and finds but little leisure at 
liis command. He is, however, alwa3^s ready to 
give his earnest attention and hearty' support to 
matters of local progress and improvement, and is 
a thoroughl\' upright, conscientious and public- 
spirited citizen. In his capacity as landlord and 
manager of a restaurant his genial manners and 
interest in the comfort of his guests are fast win- 
ning an increasing and valuable patron.age. 



e^+^i 



"^(OHN A. HAYNES. Descended from a 
worthy ancestry, and himself an industri- 
ous young man, our subject is highl3' re- 
spected by his neighbors. His residence is 
upon the old home farm in township 52, range 27, 
Ray County, where he was born February' 1, 1857. 
His grandfather, Joseph H. Hayues, was born in 
North Carolina, in 1787. He there grew to man- 
hood, and it is believed he there married, and 
probably soon after emigrated to Bedford County, 
Tenn. He finally settled in Ray County', Mo., 
where lie died in 1862; liis wife survived him un- 
til 1882, dying at the age of eighty-nine j-ears. 

Upon coming to Missouri, the grandfather took 
up land near the city of Richmond, before the 
town was laid out, and owned some three hundred 
acres. Wiien he left Tennessee lie had some means 
and made the journey in wagons as comfortably 
as was possible with the primitive means of loco- 



motion of tliose days. His wife, Sarah (Patton) 
Haynes, was a native of North Carolina, and was 
a woman well suited to endure the hardships of 
pioneer life and the long journey to the West, she 
riding twenty-five miles a day on horseback, car- 
rying her baby in her arms, (irandfatiier Haynes 
was an Elder in the Presbyterian Church at Elk- 
horn, Ray Count}', and a pious and good man. 

James P. Haynes, tiie father of our subject, was 
born in Maury County, Tenn., August 20, 1816. 
He accompanied his parents to Ray County, and 
here attended school until he fitted himself for 
teaching, whicli profession he followed for several 
years. Afterward lie entered a homestead claim of 
one hundred and sixty acres, which he improved 
and lived upon throughout the remainder of his 
life. Literally he began his life battle with no as- 
sistance, but by industry amassed a competency. 
November 1, 1841, he was married to Jane, daucli- 
ter of Nathan H. and Ann (McUristian) Schooler, 
who was born in 1822, in Bedford County, Tenn., 
coming to Ray Count}' with her parents when fif- 
teen years of age. Her father, Nathan Schooler, 
was an extensive farmer, who died in July, 1854, 
his wife having preceded him by one year. Mr. 
Schooler was a member of the Baptist Church from 
his youth, and his wife held her membership in 
the Methodist Episcopal Ciiurch South. 

After his marriage, the father of our subject de- 
voted his attention exclusively to farming. In 
1854 he was chosen Justice of the Peace and 
served eleven years, and in 1870 was made Public 
Administrator, holding the Latter position for 
twelve years. Until the dismemberment of the 
AVhig party after the defeat of Scott, in 1852, he 
was a member of that organization, and then 
joined the Democratic party. The actions of the 
Mormons in Missouri greatly exasperated him, 
and he took an active part in the war which re- 
sulted in their expulsion from Missouri. The 
doctrines of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church 
were in harmony with his own, and he was an 
earnest member of that body. His estimable wife, 
who survives him, is also a devout member of that 
church. Their long and happy wedded life was 
blessed with seven children, namely: Sarah, who 
died at the age of five years; Joseph II.; George 



382 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



R., who married Cora McBee; James II. married to 
Sophronia E. McUristian, deceased; Rosabel J., 
wife of William F. Misemer; Mary E. M., wife of 
S. M. Meadows; and oursubject. The father passed 
peacefully away in 1886. lie was a member of 
the Masonic fraternity, the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows, and the Grange. 

Our subject began life for himself in 1883, soon 
thereafter engaging in the stock business on his 
father's farm, which he has never left, still residing 
there with his beloved mother. He received a fair 
education in the public schools of his district, 
alternating attendance upon them with work upon 
the farm. His marriage occurred March 5, 1885, 
to .lossie B., daughter of Daniel and .Sally (M.ayes) 
Shirley, a native of Carroll County, Mo., although 
her parents were natives of Kentucky and Ray 
County, Mo., respectively. Her father came to 
the latter county and married here when quite 
a young man, engaging in school-teaching at that 
time but later becoming a farmer. One child has 
been born to Mr. and Mrs. Ilaynes, Rosa Ola. In 
politics, the Democratic party best expresses our 
subject's views and he uniformly supports that 
ticket. Upon the death of his father, who passed 
away while an incumbent of the office of Public 
Administrator, he assumed the duties connected 
with the position. Besides an interest in the home 
farm he has bought and paid for fort3' acres of 
land earned b}' his own industry. 






(?P#i ^- i^TEPHENSON. Our subject is a well- 
" to-do farmer residing on section 9, town- 
ship 54, range 29, near Elmira, Ray County. 
He has gathered about him, by industry 
and econom3% all that is needful to the enjoyment 
of life. This has been accomplished, too, without 
the making of enemies, but he has won for him- 
self any number of devoted friends, who place a 
proper estimate upon his worth as a man. He is 
the son of L. C. and Mary (Crowley) Stephenson, 
the father being a native of Simpson County, Ky. 
The grandfather was John Stephenson, a farmer 



and stock-raiser and the owner of one hundred 
and sixty acres of land in Simjison Count3^ 

L. C. Stephenson migrated to Cla}' County, Mo., 
where he farmed for a time. Removing thence to 
Caldwell County-, Mo., he purchased two hundred 
and forty acres, upon which he raised stock for 
eighteen years, or until his death, about thirty-flve 
years ago. Afterward liis widow conducted the 
farm until her death, wliich occurred February 15, 
1890. They were the parents of nine children, as 
follows: Celia, Jonah, our subject, Sinia, J. II., 
Mary F., Eliza A., Thomas and AVilliam. The 
father of our subject fought in the Mormon War, 
the first engagement in which he participated be- 
ing .at Crooked Kiver, now known as Mormon 
Ford. 

The first business venture of our subject was in 
Caldvvell County, where he bought one hundred 
and sixtj' acres. There he engaged in farming for 
twenty- five years, when he sold out and came to 
Ray County in 1865, buj'ing one hundred and 
sixty acres. Here, December 20, 1865, he married 
Miss Lucy Brown, one of twelve children in the 
famil3' of B. F. and Alice Brown, her father being 
President of the Kingston Savings Bank. Mr. 
and Mrs. Stephenson had one child, born June. 5, 
1886, now living. Mrs. Stephenson died February 
17, 1891, leaving the memory of a most worthy 
wife and good mothei'. 

After his bereavement our subject left the farm 
and resided with his father-in-law until September 
26, 1892, when he took charge of his sister's farm, 
living there with her. She was married January 
8, 1861, to Wiley Miiyes, who died May 31, 1880, 
leaving two hundred and fifteen acres, upon which 
he had carried on general farming and stock-rais- 
ing. Mr. Iilayes was a Democrat and took quite 
an active interest in the political affairs of the 
county and State. Mr. and Mrs. Mayes were the 
parents of three children, viz.: Mary S.; Susan, 
who died in infancy'; and Jewell, now attending 
college at Chillicothe, Mo., and a member of the 
Class of '93. 

Our subject is actively identified with the 
Farmers' Alliance, having been at one time Chap- 
lain of his lodge, and manifesting in the position 
the same pious zeal dispLayed in his church, the 






£ic^c£^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



385 



Methodist Episcopal South, where he is Class- 
leatlor and Siiperiiitendunt. His wife was also 
very active in religious affairs and was useful in 
the missionary society of that church. Mr. Steph- 
enson was in the militia in Kansas and Missouri, 
his s^-mpathies having been with the South during 
the war. l'oliticallj% he is a Democrat, his con- 
victions being ver^' strong, and he loses no oppor- 
tunity for advancing the interests of the party of 
his choice. 



, EY. FATHER JOHN L. GADELL, Pastor 
of St. Joseph Catholic Church at Salis- 
bury, was born in St. Louis, Mo., Deccm- 
X'Ri ber 7, 1853. He is the son of Wenzel 
(;adell,who was born in Russia while his father 
was there in the array of Napoleon in the famous 
march to Moscow. The grandfather of our sub- 
ject was an officer in the French artillery. The 
father was reared in Bavaria, but when quite a 
young man he came to America and located in the 
city of New Orleans. Early in the '40s he came 
to St. Louis, where he engaged in the manufacture 
of brick, and was well known as a successful busi- 
ness man until his death. 

The mother of our subject was Anna Eva (Eisel) 
Gadell, and was born in Bavaria, Germany. She 
now resides in St. Louis, and has observed with a 
mother's fond pride the ever-increasing usefulness 
of her talented son. She became the mother of 
five children, four of whom grew to maturity, and 
three are now living. Our subject is the third eld- 
est in the family. He was reared in St. Louis, and 
tliere attended the parochial school. In 1868 he 
entered St. Joseph College, located at Teutop- 
olis, EfTingliara County, 111., and was graduated 
from that institution in 1874. He then entered 
.St. Francis Seminary at Milwaukee, Wis., and after 
remaining tliere until 1877, he entered St. Mary's 
at Baltimore, Md. He had the gratification of be- 
ing ordained to the priesthood for tlie St. Louis 

19 



diocese by his Eminence, Cardinal Giblions, Arch- 
bishop of Baltimore. 

At the beginning of his professional career, 
Father Gadell served as assistant of .St. Mary's 
Church in St. Louis for nearly a 3'ear. Later he 
was given work in different places in the St. Louis 
diocese. In March, 1891, he began attending to the 
congregations at Salisbury, Truesdail and Wentz- 
ville, and so continued until January, 1892, when 
he located at Salisbury permanently. The build- 
ing of St. Joseph's Church was commenced in 1874, 
but our subject succeeded in having it moved to 
its present desirable site, and has put upon it $1,600 
in improvements. In 1890 St. Joseph School was 
organized through the efforts of Father Gadell, and 
there is an average daily attendance of sixtj' pu- 
pils. The school building is a substantial brick 
structure, 22x56 and 20x40, two stories in height. 
Father Gadell superintends the school person- 
ally, and the instruction is entirely in English, 
with the exception of one hour each daj' devoted 
to the study of German. The congregation of St. 
Joseph Church now numbers fifty fp.milies. 

In his political opinions Father Gadell is Dem- 
ocratic, but his time is so thoroughly taken up with 
spiritual matters that he would smile if he were 
mentioned as a politician. He has already been 
permitted to enjoy the results of some of his la- 
bors, and as he is now only in the prime of life, be 
may be a very pillar of strength to his people for 
many years to come. 



W C. VAUGHN. This retired farmer of 
Richmond, Ray County, has won hosts of 
friends by his many excellent qualities. 
Modest and unassuming, there is about him 
a reserve force that makes him equal to any emer- 
gency that may arise, and he seeks to conform his 
life to the highest requirements of the moral and 
Christian code. Ho was born in Lincoln County, 
K3'., in 1838, being the son of Thompson and 
Elizabeth (Stone) Vaughn, both natives of Ken- 
tucky. Thoiiipsoii Vauglin lived with his par- 



386 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ents until his majority, being reared upon the 
farm and receiving his education in the district 
schools. Wisely he applied himself to a trade in 
his youth and became a very good brick and stone 
mason, a vocation he jjlied in conjunction with 
farming. 

The marriage of the parents of our subject took 
place when they were twenty and twenty-one 
years of age, respectively. The mother was a 
daughter of John and Sallie (Gaines) Stone. The 
father of our subject bought land, and in 1864 re- 
moved to Putnam County, Ind., where he again 
invested in real estate and remained until his 
death in the year 1881), at the age of sevent}'- 
three years. His wife still survives in the enjoy- 
ment of good health for one of her years. Ten 
children were born to these parents, namely: 
William G., who died in infancy; Joseph L.: J. 
C; S. P.; Sallie, wife of James Knight; Thomas; 
Nancy, wife of John Bold back; Louis L.;, Patty, 
wife of Thomas Bowen ; and Benjamin B., all of 
them residents of Indiana, except Louis, a resident 
of Illinois, and our subject. These parents were 
members of the Baptist Church, in which the father 
was a Deacon for many years. Three of their 
sons were good and brave soldiers in the Union 
army, our subject and Joseph in Company H, 
Nineteenth Kentucky Infantry, and S. P. in the 
One Hundred and Sixteentii Indiana lnfautr3^ 

Our subject remained at home until the out- 
break of the war, having received a good training 
in the subscription schools. He entered the army 
in 1861 in the command of Gen. Bard, and after- 
ward of Gen. George W. Morgan, participating in 
the battles of Cumberland Gap, Arkansas Post, in 
the siege of Vicksburg throughout, and in all the 
engagements around about. He was then trans- 
ferred to Bank's division in Louisiana and took 
part in the fight at Bean Cross Roads, where he was 
wounded by a minie-ball, which yet remains in 
his body. He lay upon tiie field of battle all night 
alone and without attention of any kind. Taken 
prisoner the following morning, he was borne to 
the Confederate hospital at Mansfield, where he 
remained two and one-half months, when he was 
transferred to the Marine Hospital at New Orleans. 
He reached liis home in August, 1864, and as soon 



as health would permit worked in a sawmill. He 
was married in 1868 to Ella, daughter of John and 
Lydia (Jennings) Rodman, with whom he removed 
to Ray County, Mo., the following year, arriving 
there Sei)tember 23. 

Upon arrival in the State, Mr. Vaughn settled 
upon a farm of fifty-five acres, which was later 
increased to sixty-five acres, where he lived for 
thirteen years, and then bought a piece of prop- 
erty in Riclimond, upon which he built a residence 
and removed to it. This has been the home of 
the family ever since. Mr. and Mrs. Vaughn are 
the parents of one son, Charles J., who is a student 
in the High School of Richmond. They are mem- 
bers in good standing in the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, in which they are highly esteemed for 
their sincere and uprigtit lives. Mr. Vaughn is a 
Master Mason, having been made one in Indiana, 
but now holds his membership in Lodge No. 57, 
at Richmond. His political affiliations are with 
the Kepublican party, he taking great interest in 
public matters and having strong faith in the 
party with wliich he is allied. 



f^ ON. Wn.LIAM AVALLACE MOSBY, M. D. 

Ji the successful and talented physician and 
^ surgeon, made an enviable record of honor 
and exceptional ability in the State Senate 
in various sessions, and is widely known as one of 
the most liberal-minded and public-spirited citi- 
zens of Richmond, Ray County, Mo. He was 
born near Harrodsburg, Mercer County, K}'., June 
1, 1824. His father, James Mosby, was a native of 
Virginia, but early removed to Kentucky, and in 
1826 journeyed to Mississippi, from tliere depart- 
ing to Missouri, and finally locating in Callaway 
County. James Mosby was a man of courage and 
resolution, and was well adapted to pioneer life. 
He was an ardent friend of Heniy Clay, and a 
strong adherent of his political views. 

The mother of our subject was Elizabeth Rob- 
ards, a daughter of a Virginia planter who had 
settled in Kentucky [irior to the birtli of his 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPfflCAL RECORD. 



387 



daughter Elizabeth. IMrs. Mosb^- was a devoted 
Christian woman, and througli her influence her 
husband and children were brought to Christ, but 
.James Mosby had passed middle life before he 
joined the church, of which he remained a consis- 
tent member until his death upon January 9, 1871. 
The sons and daughters were all led into the 
church by the prayers and exemplary conduct of 
the beloved mother, whose efforts in behalf of her 
children's everlasting happiness were richly re- 
warded. Our subject received excellent educa- 
tional advantages, and enjoyed the benefit of a 
thorough English education, and also gained a 
knowledge of Latin and Greek from private 
schools. 

Having decided to enter a professional life. Dr. 
IMosby at the age of eighteen began the study of 
medicine under Dr. Franklin Dillard, and attended 
the medical department of Transylvania Univer- 
sity in the Class of 1844-45, and was a student in 
the Louisville Medical College in the succeeding 
sessions of 1845 and 1846. Dr. Mosby had but 
little means to assist him on his upward way. His 
father had eight children dependent upon him, 
and was unable to furnish his son with money to 
complete his education; he therefore worked dur- 
ing the planting and harvesting season and stud- 
ied in the winter. As soon .as he w.as advanced 
enough to teach, he took a school and, man.aging 
most prudently, was enabled to attend one course 
of lectures. Finally, and after mature considera- 
tion, he borrowed money enough to defray the ex- 
penses of his course, and upon his graduation found 
himself without means and in debt. Naturally 
courageous and hopeful as to the future, our sub- 
ject began the practice of his profession in Rich- 
mond, and in a brief time engaged with Dr. Chew 
in a partnership, which was dissolved by mutual 
consent in eighteen months. Dr. Chew afterward 
residing in Kansas City, while Dr. Mosby remained 
in Richmond, and built up a large and lucrative 
practice. 

Subsequentl}^ our subject formed a partnership 
with Dr. Henry C. Garner, and from 1866 until 
1873 the two engaged in an extensive practice in 
Richmond and the surrounding country. Wlien 
Dr. (Jarner accepted the position of Ca.shier in the 



Richmond Savings Bank, Dr. Slosby bent all his 
energies to meet the requirements of his daily 
round of practice. Through storm or sunshine he 
went his wa}' unweariedly and, skillful, well road 
and thoroughly experienced, and withal possessing 
excellent judgment, was extremely successful in 
handling the various diseases which flesh is heir to, 
and soon established for himself a professional repu- 
tation which insured him the confidence of the 
general public. In 1847, Dr. Mosby first took an 
interest in a drug business with Marion F. Ball 
and INIordecai Oliver, the well-known drug store 
of Marion F. Ball & Company existing until our 
subject purchased the interest of his partners. 
With his sons he still continues the business, the 
firm name being the Mosby Mercantile and Drug 
Com pan}'. 

At the beginning of the Civil War, Dr. Mosby 
was among the Enrolled Missouri Militia and was 
appointed Surgeon, in which capacity he served 
two years. When Col. .John C. Hale organized 
the Fourth Provisional Regiment, Dr. Mosby was 
appointed Regimental Surgeon with the rank of 
Major, and remained with the regiment until it 
was disbanded in 1864. In the fall of 1861, our 
subject was elected to represent the district era- 
bracing the counties of Caldwell, Carroll, Clinton 
and Ray, in the Slate Senate, and, holding this 
honored position during the four darkest 3'eais in 
the history of the State, was ever a firm advocate 
of the union of the States, believing that in 
union .alone was strength. Dr. Mosby made a 
strong and earnest speech against the constitu- 
tional convention that framed the celebrated 
Draconian Code, and opposed the registration law 
at its inception, doing all in his power to defeat 
the measure. True, steadfast and upright in char- 
acter, the wise course of Dr. Mosby was appreci- 
ated by the general public, and in 1874, at which 
time the doctor stumped the field himself in behalf 
of the Democratic party, he was, after an exciting 
contest, returned by a majority of nine hundred 
votes to his old seat in the State Senate. 

Our subject has ever been an important factor 
in educational progress, and was for four \-ears 
President of the Board of Education of Richmond 
College. He is a sljong advocate of the temper- 



388 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ance cause, and is a member of the Church of 
Christ, having been an Elder in that body for 
nearly thirty years, and Superintendent of the 
Sunday-school, which he assisted in organizing, for 
twenty-five years. Dr. Mosby was married Sep- 
tember 29, 1847, to Miss Sarah Catherine Jacobs, 
daughter of Joel Jacobs, deceased, a native Vir- 
ginian, who died before the marriage of his daugh- 
ter with Dr. Mosby. Our subject and his estima- 
ble wife became the parents of six children. The 
eldest son, a promising young man of twenty-two, 
died of malignant diphtheria just as he had com- 
pleted his studies and was about to liegin the 
practice of medicine. Dr. Charles Archibald Mosby 
died February 6, 1893. John is a druggist; Will- 
iam is a physician, and assists his father in the 
practice of medicine; Mary Eliza, wife of Will- 
iam Bernard comes next, then follows James E. 
Dr. Mosby and his excellent wife enjoy the proud 
consciousness that in their several homes these sons 
and daughter are worthily striving to emulate the 
honored examples of their father and mother and 
are in the full sense of the words true citizens. 



^^?:ORGE W. JOINER. Our subject is a 

I , — , young man of decided force of character) 

III ^ •' =■ 

^^^ij) and without doubt success will crown his 

efforts in future years, as it has already done to a 
large extent. He is the son of John and Mary 
(Aluutt) Joiner, who were the parents of seven 
children, namely: J. M., born June 27, 1849; 
William, who was born October 17, 1851; Cassan- 
der E., July 14, 1854; Elvin, February 1, 1857; 
John S., October 17, 1859; our subject; and Jo- 
seph K., born September 15, 1866. At the family 
home, six miles west of the city of Knoxville, 
Ray County, Mo., George W. was born March 30, 
1862. His father owned one hundred and forty 
acres of land, upon which he engaged in general 
farming and stock-raising. He served as Road 
Overseer and Constable for six years, and whatever 
he undertook he did well. During the vvar he en- 
listed in the service and look part in various skir- 



mishes, where the danger was as great as in more 
important and decisive engagements. 

Our subject left the parental home at the age of 
sixteen and learned the trade of harness-making, 
at which he was employed for four years. After- 
ward he entered the mercantile business, which 
he conducted for seven j'ears. He then entered a 
drug store, studied pharmacy and was graduated. 
He has been engaged in the drug business about 
twelve mouths, but has been studying medicine 
for some time and will graduate next spring as a 
physician, after which he will begin the practice 
of that profession. 

April 13, 1880, our subject married Miss N. A. 
Yinsant, who has borne him two children, viz., 
Alta M., born November 25, 1882; and John A., 
born September 2, 1885. Mrs. Joiner is a grand- 
daughter of R. Vinsaut, and is a lady of culture. 
Dr. Joiner takes a great deal of interest in politics 
and is a worker in the ranks of the Democratic 
party. The correctness of his life and his excel- 
lent judgment, with his education and general 
information, give much weight to his opinions on 
jtolitical as well as general matters. He is a mem- 
ber of King Hiram Lodge No. 309, F. & A. M., 
of Knoxville, and is much esteemed by his breth- 
ren of that order. He is a Good Templar and. 
for two years has been a member of the Triple 
Alliance. In his religious connections he is a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, 
in which lie is an active and influential worker. 






/ •«-=*^i*" 



^T^) M. CLEVENGER. Descended from an old 
lU] family who were pioneers in Ray County, 
(k^^' our subject is a man with m.anj' friends, 
who admire him for his many good qualities and 
appreciate his skill as a farmer. He has been very 
successful, and this state of affairs has been at- 
tained by his industry and understanding of farm- 
ing. He is pleasantly located on a farm in section 
22, township 53 north, range 29. His father, .Samuel 
Clevenger, was born in Cocke County, Tenn., and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPJUCAL RECORD. 



389 



was reared and educated in the public schools of 
that county. He married Miss Mary N. Ilumbord, 
whose father was a soldier in the War of 1812. 

The father followed farming and the carpenter 
trade in his native State until 1850, when he came 
to Missouri and located south of Vibbard, where 
he remained but a short time; he then removed to 
the section named above, at which place he entered 
land of the Government, improved it and made it 
his home until his deatli, which occurred about 
1870. His wife is still living in the enjoyment of 
good health. She bore him ten children, six of 
whom are living, namely: Samuel, living near 
Richmond; Jacob, a farmer in Kansas; our sub- 
ject; Mary, wife of J. W. Goodman, of Ray 
County; Letitia, wife of Lawson Sisk; and Rhoda, 
wife of C. W. 'Seal, living at Vibbard. The father 
was a member of the regular Baptist Church and a 
minister in that denomination, preaching regu- 
larly throughout his life in various churches in 
Ray County-. He was one of the pioneers among 
the Baptist clergymen of Missouri, and, although 
a cripple, was very energetic, and his zeal and piety 
made him hosts of friends. 

Oursubject was boru on the old home place in Ra}' 
County, March 12, 1859, and was reared there and 
educated in the public schools. All of his life has 
been spent upon the farm where he now lives, 
with the exception of a 3'ear or two that he farmed 
in Kansas. He married in the fall of 1885 Miss 
Mary Jane, daughter of William Gant, a farmer of 
this county. There are three children bj' this 
marriage: Homer Lee, William Harrison and Ollie 
May. Our subject has one hundred and twenty 
acres of well-improved land in a good state of cul- 
tivation, upon which he grows grain principally, 
altiiough he has some verj' fine stock. 

Mr. Clevenger is a member of Harmony Lodge 
No. 384, A. F. ife A. M., and is said to be very ac- 
tive in Masonic work. In polities, he is a Repub- 
lican, taking mucli interest in matters of public 
ciiaracter, although he does not participate as ac- 
tively in campaigns as some others. He is a 3'oung 
man of industrious habits, a good farmer, a kind 
neighbor and a worthy citizen. Mr. Clevenger is 
naturally much attached to the county and the 
conuiuinitv in which he lives, and cspecialh' feels 



a strong affection for the old homC place. His 
neighbors regard him with much favor because of 
his sterling qualities and his genial, social nature. 



i>^^<i 



<| I^H.LTAM S. MORGAN. If to the hope- 
\/\j/j fulness of 3'outh there be added energy, 
^^ zeal, industry and intelligence, then future 
success may safely be predicted. Our subject came 
to Lawson, Ray County, not very long ago, bring- 
ing witli him testimonials of worth, and his man- 
ner and deportment since that time have served to 
confirm the favorable opinions then formed of 
him. The business in which lie is engaged is one 
that demands great care and circumspection; j-et 
he has met public expectation, and his agreeable 
manners and accommodating spirit, together with 
his sociability, are binding friends closely to him. 
He has had much business experience and is not 
likely to run his affairs on anything but business 
lines. Settled down to life at Lawson, he has re- 
cently- made a home for himself with the brightest 
auguries for future, as well as present, content and 
happiness there. 

William S. Morgan was born at Holt, Clay 
County, Mo., March 23, 1870, a son of John K. 
Morgan, who was born and reared in West Vir- 
ginia. He afterward located in Plattsburgh, Clin- 
ton Count}', Mo., where he was a miller; then he 
settled at Holt, Clay County, Mo., and there fol- 
lowed the same business until his death, February 
12, 1877. His wife, who is living at Lawson, was 
Miss Margaret P., a daughter of Samuel Blocher, a 
native of Pennsylvania, of German descent. 

Our subject was reared and educated at Holt, 
Mo., receiving his mental training in the public 
schools of that place, after which he went to St. 
Joseph and worked in a wholesale confectionery 
house for about a year; he then went to Topeka, 
Kan., and managed a branch house for the St. Joseph 
firm, remaining there about two years, after which 
he traveled about an equal length of time for the 
same house. Coming to Lawson, he purchased 
the stock of drugs of Larue ct Shields, taking pos- 



390 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



session in July, 1892. He was married September 
7, 1892, to Miss Carrie E., daugliter of W. H. 
Roberts, of Farragut, Iowa, a prominent liardware 
man and stock dealer of that place. 0\ir subject 
carries a very full line of drugs and is doing a 
good business. He is a member of the Knights 
of Pythias and of the Iowa State Traveling Men's 
Association. 



♦^^1 



31^^ 



^fOSEPH A. SMITH, the subject of our 
sketch, IS a highly respected and very prom- 
inent citizen of the village of Lawson, Ray 
County. He was born in Guilford Count}', 
N. C, September 23, 1822. His father, Jedediah 
Smith, was probably born in Guilford County, 
and was a son of William Smith, who in turn was 
a son of John Smith. The last-named had a grant 
of land from the English Government and built the 
first mill on the Alomontze River in Guilford 
County. William Smith opened a large body of 
land, but left his plow in order to serve with 
other patriots in the Revolutionary War. Jede- 
diah Smith, in emulation of his sire, seized his 
musket and fought in the War of 1812. He was 
a merchant, farmer and miller, and the father of 
five cliildren, three living, namely: W. W., Presi- 
dent of the Lawson Bank; Mrs. M. B. Cummins, 
of Lawson; and our subject. The mother of our 
subject died in April, 1892, aged ninety j'ears, and 
had been tlie recipient of a pension, on account 
of her husband's services in the war named. 

Oursubject was educated principally in tlie Guil- 
ford Count}' schools. He came to Ray Count}', 
Mo., at the age of sixteen, in the fall of 1838, 
and located on tlie east fork of the Fishing River, 
where his father engaged in farming. There our 
subject followed agricultural pursuits until 1846, 
when he enlisted as a soldier in Company C, First 
Regiment Missouri Infantry, and went to the 
Mexican War, serving for more than a year. He 
may justly be proud of his record there, for he 
was one of Col. Donaldson's brave men, who 
marched tlirough the veiy heart of Mexico, endur- 



ing man}' hardships, but remaining courageous at 
all times. His discharge occurred in July, 1847, 
after he had taken part in the battles of Brazito, 
Sacramento, and the capture of Santa Fe. Upon 
his return he bought a farm, and married, in 1849, 
Miss Catharine, daughter of Judge Jesse Miller, of 
Grundy County, Mo. She was born in Franklin 
County, Ohio, January 12, 1832, her father being 
then a prominent farmer of that county. The 
Miller family was descended from German ances- 
tors. Judge Miller was very prominent in public 
affairs, and when he removed to Grundy County 
he became a merchant, built a mill, and bought a 
tract of land. The people of Grundy elected him 
County Judge, and after some years he died there. 
Subsequently his wife married again and resided 
in the county until her death. Mrs. Smith was one 
of several children, and was reared and educated 
in Grundy County, where she resided until her 
marriage, December 18, 1849. After their marriage 
Mr. and Mrs. Smith rode through from Grundy 
to Ray County on horseback, and settled upon the 
farm which the former located two and one-half 
miles southeast of Lawson. In 1887 he removed 
to this village, where he has remained ever since. 
To him and his wife have been born eleven chil- 
dren, ten of whom are living. Mr. Smith is an 
extensive land-owner, and has ten hundred and 
ninety acres, in different tracts, in Clay and Ray 
Counties. He is one of the stockholders of the 
Lawson Bank and a Director of the Exchange 
Bank at Richmond. 

When Mr. Smith came to this county he was a 
great hunter and spent many hours in quest of 
the agile deer and the wary wild turkeys, meeting 
with a success that made his name quite famous in 
those parts. He was a dead shot in the forest and 
in the field, and relates many interesting incidents 
of the early days of the country. Wolves were 
plentiful and sheep had to be penned up to pro- 
tect them from the ravenous four-legged hunt- 
ers. Mr. Smith went with others up the Grand 
River to hunt bees, and on such expeditions it 
was common to find elk in the woods. The start 
was made in September, just after the bees had 
made their winter supplies. Often they would 
load a wagon with honey from these bee trees, and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



391 



consequently liad plenty of that sweet product 
for their families. Our subject made many inter- 
esting expeditions with the boys in wagons after 
deer, when the party would camp out and live 
upon venison. Deer were plentiful and our sub- 
ject once killed three in a single day. The rifles 
of those days were not the new-faugled repeaters 
of this generation; .yet hunters found no difficulty 
in bringing down the game with their old flint- 
locks. Frequently the}- would start up as many 
as fifty to sixt}' deer in a single daj'. 

Those times have passed, j'et their memory re- 
mains fresh with the few surviving pioneers who 
participated in the exciting incidents of the hunt. 
Few settlers had then come to the county, the near- 
est town being Richmond, which was the market, 
dividing the trade with Camden on the river. Mills 
were scarce and settlers had to go long distances 
for their grist. Mr. Smith is one of the oldest 
settlers living in this section of the county, and is 
also one of the wealthiest men in Ray County. 
Mr. and Mrs. Smith are earnest and active mem- 
bers in the Presbyterian Churcli, where he has 
been an Elder ever since he joined it. He is a 
Democrat, but cast his first vote for President 
Tajior. Although not taking a very prominent 
part in politics, he is none the less interested in 
the success of the party of his preference. 



^^EORGE W. McGAUGH. The conscious- 
Ill (— ^ ness that one has won his way in life un- 
^^^ aided brings to the successful man a pleas- 
ure unknown to him who inherits a fortune and 
lives a life of indolent ease. Wliile our subject 
received some assistance from his father at his out- 
set in life, it was but a sort of start, a spur, as it 
were, to action on his part. Thus it proved; for 
from that time onward he worked industriously, 
adding by thrift and economy to his gains until 
he has amassed a nice competency. He was born 
in Ray County, Mo., in 1848, being a son of 
Tlionias and Margaret (Wall) McO.iugli. 



The father of our subject was born near Nash- 
ville, Tenn., about the year 1810, and his wife near 
Louisville, Ky., about the year 1812. Thomas 
McGaugh came to Ray County, Mo., with his pa- 
rents, and settled near where our subject now lives. 
His education was limited to the primitive sub- 
scription schools of his youth, attendance upon 
which was sometimes interfered with by duties of 
the farm, and was finally closed by his appl3'iug 
himself to the learning of the trade of a carpenter. 
However, he did not follow that trade in his man- 
hood, but pursued the avocation of a farmer all 
his life. 

Thomas entered land in Ray County, and mar- 
ried his wife, Margaret, about tiie year 1825, she 
being the daughter of Robert Wall. She bore him 
eight children, four of whom died young. The 
remainder were: Edward, deceased; Martha, wife 
of Eli Dickey, also deceased; George W., our sub- 
ject, and Gallen. By hard work Mr. McGaugh ac- 
cumulated property, until at one time he had one 
thousand acres of land, all located in Ray County. 
His religious faith kept him in the Christian 
Church, of which he was a consistent member. In 
his young manhood Thomas McGaugh joined a 
lodge of Master Masons, but afterward demitted 
and no longer affiliated with them. He departed 
this life in 1873, and his wife passed away in 
1890. 

GeorgeW. McGaugh grew up on the home farm, 
dividing his time between the public school of his 
district and work upon the farm until he was 
twenty-one, when he left the home roof and set- 
tled upon a farm of eighty acres given to him by 
his father. He then married Sarah, daughter of 
John and Nanc}' Brown, her parents being natives 
of Virginia, who died when she was quite j-oung. 
She was then taken by Aaron and Lydia Dove, 
who reared her, she accompanying them first to 
Illinois and then to Missouri, where they settled 
in Ray County. 

Mr. and Mrs. McGaugh are the parents of three 
children, Nora, Elmer and Benjamin F. Our sub- 
ject has devoted himself strictly to farming and 
stock-raising and feeding. In 1881 he changed 
his location to his present place of two hundred 
and twenty-six acres, one hundred and tilirl^■ of 



392 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



which are in the bottom lands. The political 
views of our subject are positive and are the re- 
sult of honest conviction, and while he is not an 
office-seeker, his support of the Democratic party 
is hearty and un(iualifiod. 



e^+^ 



T^REDERICK LP:iRMAN. An adopted cit- 
izen of the United States, our subject has 
proved his loyalty to our country by his 
services as a brave Union soldier in the late war. as 
well as a public-spirited and energetic citizen in 
times of peace. His merit is further displayed in 
his thrift, industry, economy and uprightness. 
He was born in Baden, Germany, November 11, 
1819, and is the son of John and Catharine Leir- 
man, natives of Baden. They resided in a small 
vill.tge, and the even tenor of their lives was 
rudely broken in upon by the Napoleonic wars, 
in which the father took an active part. He spent 
his life in the Old Country, and was a man who 
enjo^'cd the confidence and esteem of his neigh- 
bors. 

Our subject remained at home until the age of 
twenty-one, when his military career began. He 
served as a soldier for seven years, engaging more 
or less in active warfare, and finally participating 
in the Revolution of 1848. After his term of ser- 
vice expired he married Mary Noll, who bore him 
four children, namely: Frederick; Mary, wife of 
John Voss; John and C4eorge. Our subject emi- 
grated to the United States with his family in 
1851 and settled at St. Louis, but soon went to 
Lexington, Mo., where he lived until 1862, carrj'- 
ing on a butcher's trade. From that city he re- 
moved to Richmond, Mo. His first wife dying, 
he married Mary, daughter of John and Catharine 
(Oltman) Olid, natives of Strasburg, France. The 
parents came to the United States when their 
daughter was quite young, and settled in La Fay-. 
ette County, Mo. Seven children are the fruit of 
this m.arriage, namely': Louis, Henry, Frank, Al- 
bert, Katie, Louisa and Rosa. 

As mentioned above, ]\Ir. Leirman w.as a sol- 



dier in the Union army during the late war. 
He enlisted under Capt. Foster in the year 
1861, and continued until the war was over, 
his service being principally in Missouri. Be- 
side many skirmishes, he took part in the bat- 
ties of Lone Jack and Lexington. In the first- 
named engagement he was thrown from his horse, 
breaking three ribs. In 1882 he removed to his 
present farm of eighty acres, where he emplo3"S 
himself in improving his property and m raising 
grain and stock. An industrious man, thrifty 
and economical, quiet and unostentatious, he at- 
tends to his own affairs and lives at peace with 
all his neighbors, who hold him in high esteem. 



AMUEL L. CLEAVENGER was born upon 
the old homestead, September 1, 1848, and 
lives upon a well-improved farm in section 
33, township 53 north, range 29. He is 
the son of Jesse Cleavenger, who was born, reared 
and educated in East Tennessee. He first located 
in Ray County when he came to Missouri, and 
here married Miss Jeannette Fleming, who bore 
him six children, of whom our subject is the only 
one living. The others were: Lewis, Isaac An- 
drew, Elizabeth, Agnes and Margaret. After their 
death our subject moved upon the farm where he 
now lives. 

Jesse Cleavenger removed to Livingston Count}-, 
remaining there but a short time, on account of the 
Mormon troubles. He lived upon the place above 
referred to until the time of his death, which was 
caused by falling out of a house in Clay Count}', 
his demise occurring seven days after the accident. 
Jesse Cleavenger was a member of the regular 
Baptist Church. He made all the improvements 
upon the farm, displaying a very commendable 
zeal in having ever^'thing in good order about 
him. There were but four houses in the neigh- 
borhood when he settled here. After the death 
of his wife he married again, his choice being Mrs. 
Harriet Nelson, daughter of Mr. Hightower. 

Our subject made the place his home as soon 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



393 



as lie was married. Three children tend to make 
happ_y his home, viz.: Viva Folsom, Grover 
Cleveland and Winston. Mr. Cleavenger has a 
line farm of one thousand acres, all improved, 
upon which he carries on general farming and 
stock-raising. He married November 1, 1883, 
Miss Emma G. McCroskie. daughter of one of the 
oldest settlers of the county. In 1873 he made a 
trip to California, but the country did not suit 
his fancy, and so he made but a short stay there. 

Our subject is a Democrat and a very active 
worker in the party, using his influence to further 
its objects. Mr. Cleavenger is one of the Direct- 
ors of the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank, of Ex- 
celsior Springs, Claj' County, Mo. The farm of 
our subject is specially adapted for stock-raising, 
it having a fine spring and other water conven- 
iences, the land, also, yielding very superior 
grass. Mr. Cleavenger farms intelligently, avoid- 
ing extravagance and waste, and managing with 
system and economy. His stock is well kept up 
and his returns from sales are very satisfactory. 



<T^EV. .JAMES A. GEHRETT, Chaplain of 
fji^ the Fouith Regiment of Missouri National 
/Ai\V Guards, and the earnest, faitiiful and efli- 
\^ cient pastor of the Presbyterian congre- 
gations of Bethel, Grantsville and Enterprise, all 
located in Linn County, is an honored resident of 
Linneus, and widely known throughout Missouri 
as an able and energetic Christian worker of ster- 
ling integrity of character and broad intelligence. 
Our subject is a native of the Quaker State, and 
was born in Cassville, Huntingdon County, March 
25, 1850. His father, Jacob Gehrett, was a pros- 
perous Pennsylvania farmer, but serving with pa- 
triotic bravery in the First District of Columbia 
Regiment during tlie late Civil War, was mor- 
tally wounded near Fredericksburgh, Va. He was 
shot by guerrillas from an ambush, and, d^ing in 
the hospit.al in Washington, D. C, was buried in 
Arlington Cemetery, of tliat city. Jacob Gehrett 



was a member of the German Lutheran Church, 
and, a sincere Ciiristian man and patriotic citizen, 
gave his life in behalf of national existence. 

Rebecca Gehrett, the mother of our subject, was 
the daughter of Thomas Green and the grand- 
daughter of a Revolutionary hero. Grandfather 
Green; she was also a relative of the brave patriot, 
Nathanael Greene. The parents of the elder 
Greene were in the massacre of Wyoming. The 
maternal ancestors of Mrs. Rebecca Gehrett were 
natives of Scotland, her mother, Margaret (Camp- 
bell) Green, being a distant family connection 
of the Duke of Argyle, coming from the county 
of Arg3ie to America. The mother of our sub- 
ject still survives and makes her home in Penn- 
S3'lvania. James A. was the youngest of Fa- 
ther and Mother Gehrett's children, and passed 
the years of boj'hood in Cassville, Pa., and there 
attended the public schools, also enjoying a pre- 
paratory course in the Cassville Seminary. Mr. 
Gehrett later entered the Adrian College, at Adrian, 
Mich., and took a special course, and after com- 
pleting his studies preached for a number of years 
in the Methodist Churches of Pennsylvania and 
West Virginia. 

After a time our subject went to Atchison, 
Kan., where he remained a year. From Kansas 
Mr. Gehrett came to Linn County, Mo., and, re- 
suming pastoral duties, took charge of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church at Browning. Transferred 
at a later period to Carroliton, Mo., he received 
the charge of the Hale and Bogard Circuits, and 
in 1888 came to Linneus as pastor of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Churcii. In 1890 our subject left 
the Methodist Flpiscopal denomination, and join- 
ing the Presbyterian Church became tbe pastor of 
the congregations to which he now so faitlifully 
ministers. In 1869, when about nineteen years of 
age, Mr. Gehrett had upon conviction joined tlie 
Methodist Church, but his mother was a standi 
Presbyterian and had been carefully reared in 
the faith of her forefathers. The early religious 
experiences of our subject were mainly associated 
with the Presbyterian Church, to which he re- 
turned in mature 3'ears from conscientious and 
congenial [irinciples. Since taking charge of the 
churches now under his care, the various congre- 



394 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



gations have been greatly blessed by a large ac- 
cession of membership and financial prosperity as 
well. 

Our subject was married December 1, 1875, to 
Miss Agnes, daughter of William Iless, a fruit- 
grower of Atkinson's Mills, Pa., in which locality 
Mrs. Gehrett was reared to early womanhood. 
The Rev. Mr. Gehrett and his estimable wife have 
been blessed b}" the I)irth of a bright 3'oung 
daughter, Nettie. Fraternally, our subject affili- 
ates with the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, is 
a member of the Knights of Pythias, and is asso- 
ciated with the Ancient Order of United Work- 
men, and has held the position of Ciiaplain of the 
Fourth Regiment of Missouri National Guards 
for two years. He takes a prominent place in 
the work of the Presbytery and has been Chair- 
man of the Board of Freedmen, and a mem- 
ber of the Committee on Colleges and Semi- 
naries, and is also one of the Committee of Ex- 
aminations on Church History. In 1890 our sub- 
ject was the Moderator of the Palmyra Presby- 
tery, and, an able and eloquent divine, has ac- 
complished much of good and established most 
friendly relations with the general public, by whom 
he is thoroughly appreciated, and among whom he 
enjoys a well-earned popularit\' as a true, steadfast 
and devoted pastor, untiring in service and wise 
in counsel. 



"\f| OHN DICK, an enterprising business man 
and proprietor of the principal meat-market 
of Laclede, Mo., is an energetic citizen of 
executive ability, and, with abundant means 
at his command, has liberally aided in local im- 
provements and been prominently connected with 
the advancement of the best interests of Linn 
County for many years. Occupying an influential 
position as a private citizen, he has also as Alder- 
man of the city endeavored faithfully to promote 
the upward progress of his home locality, and is 
known to the general public and a host of friends 
as an etiicieut and earnest wf)rker, of liberal ideas 



and sterling integrity of character. The business 
which Mr. Dick now so prosperously conducts was 
established by his father many years ago, the fam- 
ily having been old-time residents of Linn 
County. 

Our subject is a native of Scotland and was 
born upon October 14, 1852. He was but six 
months old when his parents, leaving "Old Scotia" 
far behind them, crossed the broad Atlantic to 
America. The father and mother, James and Jane 
(Hood) Dick, thrifty, industrious and intelligent 
dwellers within the Queen's dominions, well rec- 
ognized the greater possibilities a land of liberty 
and independence offered them and their descend- 
ants, and decided to try their fortunes at first in 
Canada. Locating in St. Catharines, the father 
actively engaged in business, but al the expiration 
of one and a-half years removed with his familj' 
to the United States, and settled in Laclede, Mo. 
Here James Dick found ready employment, and 
accepting a position on the Hannibal & St. Joseph 
Railroad remained constantly in the service of 
this corporation until his death in 1888. The 
family of Father and Mother Dick numbered eight 
children, and of the sons and daughters who once 
gathered about the home hearth seven yet sur- 
vive. 

Our subject, reared in Laclede and educated in 
the public schools, grew up to a self-reliant, self- 
respecting manhood and early began to make his 
own way in the world. He worked in a meat- 
market at Brookfield, but afterward returned to 
Laclede and at the death of his father assumed 
control of the present business. Devoting himself 
with earnest and intelligent industiy to the daily 
cares of business, Mr. Dick has been prospered and is 
a stockholder in the bank at I^aclede and the owner 
of considerable real estate. Among his otiier 
property is a valuable farm of three hundred acres 
under fine cultivation. The city real estate is 
yearly increasing its estimated worth, and tiie 
market yields an excellent income. Politically 
our subject is an ardent Republican and a strong 
advocate of the party. He has never been a poli- 
tician in the common acceptation of the term, but 
is deepl3' interested in both local and national af- 
fairs and personally gives his firm support to the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



395 



"best man for the place." Growing up from in- 
fanc3' to mature manliood in his adopted country, 
he is a wortliy representative of the useful and 
honored American citizenship which gives to our 
national existence its chief glory and renown. 



EM. ATTERBERRY. The gie.at civilizer is 
the railroad. AVithout tiiis great common 
carrier tiie blooming West, the world's 
gi'anar}', would yet be an undisturbed waste. The 
iron horse, with its stretches of parallel steel bars, 
prevents the scourge of famine, because it can des- 
patch grain from places of plenty to localities where 
it is needed; and it restrains revolts, because of 
the ease of transporting troops from one point to 
the other. It has eclipsed time and abridged space, 
until a traveled man is no longer a curiosity. Our 
subject forms one of the great army of men em- 
ployed in the important work of transporting the 
product of field, factory and mine to and fro, and 
his intelligence, readiness, promptitude and ac- 
commodating spirit have won the respect and con- 
fidence of the people in and around the village of 
Lawson, Ray County, where he is now stationed 
as agent of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul 
Railroad. 

Our subject was born .lanuary 14, 1857, at At- 
lanta, Mo., where he was reared and received his 
education in the public schools. In his j'outh or 
ji^oung manhood he entered the employ of the 
Wabash Railroad at Atlanta to learn telegraphy, 
after which he located at Iluntsville, later going to 
Pattonsburgh, Mo., as telegraph operator. Pro- 
moted to the position of agent, he was transferred 
to Agency Ford, on the Platte River, and was sent 
thence May 5, 1879, to Lawson, where he has re- 
mained ever since. Our subject is the son of 
Semeon Atterberry, a pioneer of Macon County, 
Mo., who was the father of eight boys and two 
girls, all of whom are living. Four of the sons 
were brave and faithful soldiers in the Union army 
during the Civil War. When our subject first 
came to Lawson he w.as employed by the Wabash 



Road, but when the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul 
resumed control he was appointed to his present 
position by the latter company. 

Mr. Atterberry was married in Atlanta, Mo., in 
1879, to Miss Sarah M., daughter of Morgan Will- 
iams, a pioneer of that part of the country'. Two 
children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Atterberr3', 
Willie D. and Ottis Alma. Mr. Atterberry is a 
member of the Methodist Church South, in which 
connection he is useful and esteemed. He is prom- 
inent in Masonic circles, having taken the degrees 
of the Master Mason, Chapter, Council, Knights 
Templar, and of the Mystic Shrine, and was Junior 
and Senior Warden of Bee Hive Lodge No. 393, 
at Lawson. He is also a member of the Knights 
of Pythias, in which order he is an intelligent 
worker. He is pronounced in his political opin- 
ions and outspoken in his support of the Republi- 
can party. Educational matters also interest him; 
he has served as a member of the School Board 
and always takes an active part in all measures 
calculated to advance the welfare of Lawson. 



t^ AMES H. MORGAN is a man of clear head 
1 and good judgment, with a superior under- 
i standing as to stock and the buying and 
i ' selling of the same. He was born in what 
is now Ontario, Canada, near Lake Ontario, in the 
year 1847, being a son of James and Margaret 
(AValker) Morgan, the former of whom was born 
in Ireland in 1814, and the latter in the same 
country in 1818. The grandparents of our sub- 
ject were of limited means, which compelled them 
to place their son, the father of our subject, at 
work *hen he was quite young. James married 
at about the age of twenty-two. He remained in 
Ireland until be was the fatiier of two children, 
tiien emigrated to Canada and took up Govern- 
ment land in the heavy timber belt. He bought 
one hundred acres, which he occupied with his 
family, and proceeded to improve it, when death 
stopped his labors in 1847, the year in which our 
subject was born. His wife bore him four chil- 



396 



PORTRAIT AND BKDGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



dren, namely: Agnes, wife of David Anderson, of 
Ontario, Canada; Isabella, wife of Thomas McMil- 
lan; Jane, widow of Walter Renick, living with a 
son in Montana; and James II., our subject. He 
was a member of the Eijiscopal Church, and died 
as he had lived, comforted by its promises. The 
paternal grandparents of our subject were natives 
of Ireland. 

Our subject was married in 1869, to Elizabeth, 
daughter of Benjamin F. and Sarah Gant, the 
daughter a native of Rny County, and tiie parents 
of North Clarolina. His wife has borne him eight 
children, five of whom died3'oung; the others are: 
Sarah J., wife of Wesley Halterman; Benjamin 
and John. Mr. Morgan remained with his mother 
until his eighteenth year, then worked by the 
month or the year on farms or at the carpenter's 
trade until 1865, when he came to the United 
States. Three years later he settled in Missouri, 
and in 1872 bought his present farm of one hun- 
dred and forty acres, in township 51, range 27, Ray 
Countj'. Here he devotes his best energies to the 
raising of stock, his experience and knowledge of 
animals especiall}' fitting him for that and the busi- 
ness of buying and .selling them. The industry in 
which Mr. Morgan is engaged is one of the lead- 
ing ones of this country, and constantly increas- 
ing in magnitude. Tiiousands and tens of thou- 
sands are successful in it, but none are so, unless, 
like Mr. Morgan, they thoroughly understand their 
business; for that he does is clearly conceded by 
all his neighbors. He is worthy of what good 
comes to him. Mr. Morgan is a citizen of the 
United States, and one who feels an interest in its 
affairs, and his convictions lead liim to support the 
Republican party. 



If^iEUBEN STIGALL. Since he commenced to 
1!^ earn his own living, our subject has gath- 
i4i 'Ji ered much wisdom and a rich store of ex- 
perience. The condition of his farm and 
the results of the annual harvests prove him to be 
a successful and pr.'ictical farmer. He was born in 



Overton County, Tenn., July 2, 18.35, and is the 
.son of Strother and Patsy (Amonet) Stigall, both 
natives of this county and State. The mother was 
born in 1808, and the father at an earlier date. 
He was reared upon a farm in his native county, 
wiiere school facilities were very limited, and as a 
result his education was quite meagre, but an ob- 
servant mind and a love of reading tended to 
greatly overcome this deficiency. In his youth he 
learned the trade of a carpenter and cooper, which 
he followed at various times during his life. His 
wife, whom he married when quite a young man, 
was an orphan, and had been reared by strangers. 

In 1840, Strother Stigall removed to Polk 
County, Mo., and in 1846 came to Ray County, 
where he purchased two hundred acres of land 
near the farm of our subject. Possessed of veiy 
limited means when he came to Missouri, he was 
obliged to make the journey in wagons, which con- 
tained all the earthly effects of himself and family. 
In connection with his farming in Ray County, he 
followed rafting and boating on the river to some 
extent. His wife bore him ten children, and five 
of them, all sons, are living in Ray County, namely : 
our subject, Frank, John, George and Henry. He 
was a sincere and devout Christian, being a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which 
fellowship he was highly esteemed. At one period 
in his life he wus an active member of the Masonic 
order. 

Our subject was seventeen years old when his 
father died and he continued to live with his 
mother until his marriage. This event, occurring 
when he was twenty-three years old, united him 
with Elizabeth, daughter of John and Mary Has- 
kell. Mr. Haskell was an early California pioneer, 
who is supposed to have been drowned on his re- 
turn voyage by sea. Seven children were born of 
this union, five of whom are deceased, the two liv- 
ing being: Sarah F. and Martha L. After the 
death of his first wife, Mr. Stigall married Martha 
Cartmell, who bore him one child, Frank, and sub- 
sequently died. His third wife was Margie Wil- 
son, who became the mother of seventeen children, 
seven of whom are living, namely: William, Rena, 
Arthur, Maud, Ernest, Nellie and Eurah. After 
his first marriage ISIr. Stigall bouglit eighty acres 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



397 



of land, hut has added to it from time to time un- 
til now he has three hundred and forty acies, upon 
wliic'li he lives in township 50, range 27, Ray 
County. Our subject and his brother rafted and 
boated wood on the river for about fifteen years. 
When but three years of age, his brother accident- 
ally cut off his foot with an axe. 



-=^=m>^-<m^-<' 



EVANDER MtNAIR, D. D. The office of 
minister and teacher of the young yields 
,_ '/ precedence to none, designed as it is to give 
such bias to the moral and intellectual char.acter as 
will qualify their possessor for the higher and more 
responsible positions of earth and the higher sta- 
tion in eternitj'. Our subject, the President of the 
Presbyterian College of Upper Missouri, at Law- 
son, Ra.y County, is a man well qualified to dis- 
charge the grave duties of his position, being pos- 
sessed of the executive ability so essential to such 
a position, .as well as the mental acquirements and 
those exalted moral virtues without which he could 
not command the respect and confidence of those 
committed to his care. 

Mr. McNair was born in Robeson County, N.C., 
February 3, 1833, and there he was reared and re- 
ceived liis early school training. In 1855 he en- 
tered Centre College, at Danville, Ky., and two 
years afterward was graduated, taking the degree 
of A. B.; later the degree of A. M. was conferred 
upon him. From that institution he went to the 
Danville Theological Seminary, from which he was 
graduated in 1860, and was licensed to preach by 
the Transylvania Presl)ytery. In May, 1860, he 
went to Louisiana and took charge of the churches 
at Marganza and Williamsport, remaining there 
about eighteen months; he then went into the 
army as Chaplain of the Twenty-fourth North 
Carolina State Troops, continuing in the service 
until the close of the war. 

Our subject went to Danville, Ky., in October, 
1865, and married Miss Jenny, daughter of .lohn 
Stodghill, of that city. In January of the fol- 
lowing year he was called to the church at Jackson, 



Tenn., remaining at that place until July, 1879; in 
1880 he took charge of the church at Liberty, Cl.ay 
County, Mo., remaining there eight years; later was 
in charge of the church at Lathrop, Mo., for two 
years, and in 1890 came to the church at Rich- 
mond, the pulpit of which he still fills. He was 
elected to the presidency of the Presbyterian Col- 
lege at Lawson in April, 1892, a position he still 
holds. 

Dr. McNair has four children, namely: Nannie, 
wife of Herbert C^orbin, of Kansas City, who is 
connected with the Blaker & Corbin Grain Co.; 
Jenny, teacher of English and sciences in the col- 
lege; John, in the mercantile business, traveling 
for a house at Kansas City; and Lindsey, in the 
Union Theological Seminary, in Virgini.a. Our 
subject is prominent in Masonic circles, having 
taken the degrees of a Master Mason of the Chap- 
ter and of Templar M.asonry. He is also a mem- 
ber of the Odd F'ellows, having taken the degrees 
of the Encampment as well as of the Lodge. 

The college of which the Doctor is President 
was organized in October, 1890, the founders be- 
ing: W. W. Smith, John Crowly, .lames Morrow, 
Samuel Wharton, Robert Finch, Charles Bethel, J. 
A. Smith and others. The college building is an 
excellent one, which cost 115,000, and belongs to 
the Presbytery of Upper Missouri. The institution 
is in excellent condition and has six professors, 
each esiiecially adapted to the duties assigned. 
The building is well arranged for the purposes for 
which it is designed, and is three stories high with 
steam heat. The college has a State charter, with 
the right to confer literary and honorary degrees. 



11^^=^ 



\ij— ^ EUBEN ROE, one of the enterprising farmers 
b*i( of Ray County', owns and operates a farm 
'■^\ on township 52, range 29. Mr. Roe was 
born near where he now lives July 17, 1843, 
the son of Thomas and Jennie (Odell) Roe, the 
former born in Madison Countj', Ky., in 1806, 
and the latter born in Tennessee in 1810. The ])a- 
ternal grandparents of our subject were early pio- 



398 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



neers of Kentucky, and Grandfather Roe dying 
when Thomas was a lad of six years, the latter 
was taken into the home of a Mr. Burnside, and 
there he grew to manhood. 

The orphan boy did not receive many advan- 
tages in his j'outh, and his education was mostly 
acquired by the light of the fire at night, when 
darkness had brought cessation from the exhaust- 
ing labors of the day. At the age of eighteen he 
came to Missouri, accompanied by his mother and 
sisters, who located with him in Ray County, and 
in order to supply whose wants he put forth the 
most strenuous exertions. He was one of five chil- 
dren, whose names were James, Thomas, Betsey. 
Mary and Patsey, all now deceased. 

To the original one hundred and sixty acres 
entered from the Government Mr. Roe added 
until he had about three hundred and twenty 
acres of fertile land. In Ray County he married 
Jennie, the daughter of Isaac and Nancy Odell, 
natives of Tennessee, and pioneers of Ray County. 
Seven children blessed the union, as follows: Mary, 
who married N. W. Samples, now deceased; James; 
William; Sarah, widow of the late Thomas H. 
Blaine; Reuben, the subject of this sketch; Thomas 
H.; and .Jane, Mrs. J. E. Ellis. The father of this 
family died in April, 1890, and his wife passed 
away in September, 1891. He was a sincere mem- 
ber of the Baptist Church, and generous in its 
support. Politically, he adhered to the princii)les 
of the Democratic partly, of which he was one of 
the earnest exponents. 

Our subject remained witli his parents until 
about 1865, when he enlisted in tiie Union army 
as a member of Company B, Forty-fourth Mis- 
souri Infantry, Gen. Smith commanding. He par- 
ticipated in the engagements at Mobile, Spanish 
Fort and Franklin, and, though always at the front, 
he escaped without wounds or imprisonment. When 
the war was ended, he was honorably discharged 
and mustered out of the service. Soon after re- 
turning home he married Miss Rhoda E., daugh- 
ter of David and Catherine (Whitton) Craven. 
They became the parents of six children, Emma D., 
Hugh and Elmer being the only ones now surviv- 
ing. Those deceased are May C, Calvin and 
Jennie. 



After his marriage our subject purchased fifty- 
three acres of his present farm, which was then 
wholly unimproved, and it required constant ex- 
ertion on his part to convert the property into a 
fertile and finely improved farm. He has added 
to the original purchase until he now owns one 
hundred and forty acres, all of which he has 
placed under cultivation. As an agriculturist, he 
uses the most modern machinery, and keeps abreast 
with the latest improvements in that line. He has 
never taken an active part in politics, but casts 
his ballot for the principles and candidates of Dem- 
ocracy. Religiously, he and his wife are mem- 
bers of the Baptist Church, in which they are 
active workers. 



ON. HORATIO F. SIMRALL, the subject 
of this sketch, is an attorney of marked 
abilit}', residing at Liberty, Clay County, 
whose talents have b(!en recognized by his 
fellow-citizens, and, judging from present indica- 
tions, the honors now resting upon him are but 
the foretastes of greater ones to come. He was 
born in Shelby County, Ky^, May 4, 184,5. His 
father, James Simrall, was a native of Kentucky 
and a farmer by occupation. The latter was a .son 
of James Simrall, Sr., who was born in Virginia 
and went as an early settler to Shelby County, 
Ky., being among the first to report for duty for 
the suppression of the Indian troubles, when for 
a time settlers were obliged to seek shelter in block- 
houses. He was also a Colonel of a Kentucky 
regiment in the War of 1812. The father of our 
subject continued to reside in Shelby County 
until his death, which occurred in 1863. In early 
life his political convictions caused him to be a 
Whig, but later he affiliated with the Democratic 
party. 

' The mother of our subject bore the maiden name 
of Cynthia Fitzlen, and was a native of Wood- 
ford County, Ky. Her father, the Hon. John Fitz- 
len, was descended from Scotch and German an- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



399 



cestors, while the Simralls were of Scotch ancestry. 
The grandfather on the mother's side was Hiram 
Graham, a native of Virginia, of Scotch descent. 
The mother of our subject is still living, in her 
sixty-eighth year, enjoying the declining years of 
her life at the old homestead in Shelby County. 
Mr. and Mrs. Simrall, Sr., were the parents of six 
boys and two girls, all living. Horatio F., our 
subject, the third child of the family, passed his 
boj'hood on the farm, attended the country schools, 
and later entered Shelby College, where he pur- 
sued his studies until 1866. At that time, feeling 
prepared to go out in the world, he made his first 
attempt at taking care of himself by teaching 
school in Shelby County, Ky. His ambition, how- 
ever, was to become a lawyer, and in the fall of 
1867 he entered the law department of the Uni- 
versity of Louisville, Ky., from which he was 
graduated in 1868. 

In January, 1869, our subject came to Clay 
County, Mo., where he taught school for four 
months before locating in Liberty to begin the 
practice of his profession. That same year he 
formed a partnership with Henry L. Rontt, under 
the firm name of Rontt & Simrall, which connec- 
tion lasted for two years. Later he was connected 
in partnership with .Judge J. M. Sandusky, this 
firm being formed in July, 1872, and continuing 
until 1887, when the Judge was elected Circuit 
Judge of the Fifth Judicial District of Missouri. 
Afterward our subject formed a partnership with 
S. G. Sandusky, and that connection continued 
for three years, when a law student, Frank H. 
Trimble, was taken into the business. These gen- 
tlemen constitute the present firm, and conduct a 
practice extending through all the State and Fed- 
eral courts. In 1871 Mr. Simrall was elected Jus- 
tice of the Peace, which office he held several 
years, and from 1872 to 1873 he held the position 
of City Recorder. His fellow-citizens elected him 
to the otfice of Prosecuting Attorney for 1875 
and 1876, and also for 1883 and 1884, his entire 
term of service being four years. In 1884 he was 
called to occupy a position of still greater honor, 
for at that time the electors of the Fourth Senatorial 
District (composed of the counties of Clay, Clin- 
ton anil I'latte) elected him to the State Senate. 



He was nominated on the Democratic ticket, and 
elected without opposition. 

While in the Senate, our subject served as Chair- 
man of the Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence, 
and also on the Committee on Railroads. He took 
a very active part in all criminal legislation dur- 
ing his term of service. At the special session 
called b^' Gov. Marmadnke, he became quite con- 
spicuous, in connection with Senators George A. 
Castleman, of St. Louis, Mo., and J. P. Hammond, 
of Johnson County, Mo., in railroad legislation, 
out of which grew the present railroad land laws. 
His ability as a director of affairs has been recog- 
nized in the city of Liberty, wiiere the citizens 
have made him Chairman of their Public School 
Board. In politics he is a stanch Democrat. He 
has served as Chairman of the Democratic Central 
Committee, and at the time of writing (1892) is 
the Democratic Elector of the Third Congressional 
District. 

December 22, 1874, Mr. Simrall married Miss 
Mattie, daughter of John A. Denny, an old citizen 
of Liberty. Mr. and Mrs. Simrall are the parents 
of five sons, namely: Denny C, Horatio F., Jr., 
James Sandusky, Ernest Graham and Riley Marsh. 
Our subject is a prominent Democratic pioneer of 
this place. Socially he is a member of Liberty 
Lodge No. 49, I. O. O. F. He and his wife are 
members of the Presbyterian Church, in which he 
is a Deacon. 



I^hJh^I 




Vice-president of the Farmers' 
rchants'Bauk of Liiineus, a leading 
the enterprising senior partner 
of the well-known firm of Meyer & Locke, dealers 
in dry goods, clothing, boots and shoes, groceries, 
hats, caps, queensware and carpets, has long been 
associated with the best interests of Linn County, 
Mo., and is higiily esteemed by the general public 
and a host of sincere friends. Meyer & Locke 
own the largest store in the cit}' of Linneus, and, 
carrying a most complete stock of goods, are rap- 
idly extending their business to the outermost 



400 



POETRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



limits of the surrounding localities. Our subject 
is a native Prussian, and was born in the Rhenish 
Province October 18, 1849. His father, Moses 
Meyer, was a prosperous merchant of the country 
of the Rhine, and Lee early enjoyed instruction 
in the public schools of Germany. An earnest and 
intelligent lad, he ambitiously began to make his 
own way in the world at the age of fourteen. In 
1864 he emigrated to America, and, landing safely 
upon our shores, found himself a stranger in a 
strange land. Locating first in Macon, Mo., he 
tiiere obtained employment in a. general store, 
and was soon busily engaged in handling mer- 
chandise and clothing. 

Mr. Meyer remained with his first employer 
about six years, in 1870 making a change, and 
from this latter date up to 1874 worked in vari- 
ous places, then coming to Linneus, where he 
clerked in the store of S. Brandeuburgli & Co., 
handling general merchandise for the firm for four 
years and a-half, at the expiration of this time 
starting in business for himself, under the firm 
name of Phillips & Meyer. The firm prospered 
and in 1880 a new partner was taken into busi- 
ness relations, and the firm became Phillips, Meyer 
& Brinkley. In the year 1876 Mr. Phillips with- 
drew from the firm, and the business was tlieu 
conducted by Meyer & Brinkley until 1890, when 
Mr. Brinkley also retired from active duties, 
and his interest was purchased by Herman C. 
Locke, the present energetic and able partner of 
our subject. 

Mr. Mever was united in mariiage, in 1882, 
with Miss Anna K., daughter of Dr. P. C. Flour- 
noy, one of the pioneer physicians of Linneus. 
Our subject and his estimable wife are members 
of the Jewish Church, and are ever ready to assist 
in benevolent work or aid in worthy enterprises. 
Fraternally, Mr. Meyer is associated with the An- 
cient Free it Accepted Masons; he is also a mem- 
bor of the Knights of Pythias, and was Treasurer 
of the order here for two years. Financially, he 
has been prospered and occupies one of the finest 
residences in Linneus. The firm owns a valuable 
farm of one hundre<l and sixty acres about seven 
miles soutlieast of the town, and the commo- 
dious and attractive store building is the projierty 



of Pounds & Meyer. The ambitious, earnest and 
persistent effort of the young lad who left his 
Fatherland to make his fortune in the New World 
be3'ond the broad Atlantic has been rewarded with 
a well-deserved competence, worthily won tlirough 
courageous and long-continued industry. Mr. 
Meyer is a Democrat, and, while not desirous of 
office, takes an active interest in the management 
of local and national affairs. Progressive in his 
ideas, liberal in sentiment and upright in charac- 
ter, he is in all respects a true and lo3'al American 
citizen. 



(*^ l*;ALTER T. SIIOOP. In order to succeed 
\v/'w ''^ ''^®' ''^^•'^ must be self-reliance, nothing 
^^ being more true than that he who fails to 
help himself gets no assistance. Our subject dis- 
plays this quality in suflScient strength to give 
promise of realizing that for which he aspires. He 
is the senior member of the firm of Shoop & Bearce, 
dealers in hardware, stoves and furniture, at Rich- 
mond. Mr. Shoop was born in the last-named 
city January 10, 18G1, being the son of Joseph 8. 
and Mary E. (Baber) Shoop. The father was a 
native of Maryland, and came to Richmond in 
1834. The mother was born in Kentucky, the 
daughter of Thomas Baber, and, with her husband, 
is still living. 

Our subject is the second in order of birth 
among three children. He was born and reared 
in Richmond, where he received his education, 
first attending the public schools and afterward 
completing his course at Richmond College. His 
first start in life was as clerk in a mere; atile house, 
and afterward he engaged in the United States 
Railroad Postal Service, at which he was einijlo^ed 
for seven years. His run was between St. Louis 
and Kansas City, Mo., and between St. j ouis. Mo., 
and Council Bluffs, Iowa. Retiring frou the mail 
service at the end of that time, he started in busi- 
ness for himself, and formed a partnership with 
Fred A. Bearce, under the firm name of Shoop & 
Bearce. The firm carries a full stock of shelf and 




^t4nftOY^l 





PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



403 



heavy hardware, stoves, tinware and furnaces. 
Tlie store is 24x1.50 feet, .and the firm occupies the 
three floors of tlie building, and one room in .in 
adjoining buikJing. 

Our subject is a member of the Christian Church, 
being an earnest and sincere believer in the teach- 
ings of that organization and proving a very val- 
uable coadjutor in its work. He is a Democrat, 
and so strong is his faith, that he would have all 
men believe as he, and do .as he, politically'. His 
interest in politics is manifested in an active par- 
ticipation in the conventions of his party and in 
making himself generally useful throughout the 
campaigns, including on election day. He has faith 
in the future of Richmond, and is a strong advo- 
cate for progressive methods in their ajiplication 
to the growth and development of the place. The 
pleasant manner, social qualities and high charac- 
ter of our subject have attracted to him a host of 
warm friends. 



' UDGE GEORGE W. KEYES. Ray County 
is conspicuous for the number of distin- 
guished men within its boundary lines. 
Our subject, who is a resident of Morton, is 
numbered among the most prominent citizens of 
this locality and is a popular County Judge. He 
was born July 5, 1839, where the city of Richmond 
now stands. His father, John Keyes, was a native 
of Washington Count}', Va., and was born March 
25, 1814. His grandfather, Erancis Keyes, was 
born September 22, 1770, and lived until August 
10, 1842. The American branch of the Kej-es fam- 
ily is descended from two brothers who came from 
E^ngland witli the Pilgrims in 1633. One brother 
settled in New England, and Moses Keyes located 
in Mrginia. 

Our subject's grandfather, a farmer and a car- 
penter by trade, emigrated to Missouri in 1830, 
and was one of the first settlers in Ray County, 
locating about three miles from the present site of 
Riclimond. He came here by the overland route, 
traveling with a team and wagon, over mountains 

20 



g/ 



and across rivers and valleys. After his arrival 
he took up a tract of Government land in this lo- 
cality and set himself to improving it. His wife, 
formerly Miss Marj' Meek, was a native of Vir- 
ginia, born June 26, 1784, and died August 3, 
1846. They were the parents of eleven children, 
onl\' one of whom is now living: Mrs. Jane Hud- 
son, who was born October 3, 1812. 

John, our subject's father, was the sixlh child, 
and was sixteen years of age on coming to Mis- 
souri. He started out for himself by taking up a 
farm three miles northwest of Richmond, in this 
county. After residing there until about 1877, 
he moved to I5arber County, Kan., where he en- 
tered land and made his home until his death. May 
12, 1885. He served in the Black Hawk War. 
Mary A. Wollard, as the mother of our subject was 
known prior to her marriage, was born Februarj' 
8, 1822, on the present site of Richmond, where 
her father was one of the earliest settlers, he hav- 
ing come to this locality from Tennessee. She 
still survives. 

George W. Keyes is the second in order of liirth 
among thirteen children, of whom nine are livino-, 
most of the number residing in Kansas. He was 
educated in the country schools of his day, his first 
experiences in that direction being gained in a log 
schoolhouse, in which an aperture was cut for a 
window and filled in with greased paper. There 
were slab seats, a nondescript arraj' of text-books 
and a plentiful use of the rod. The young student 
subsequently entered the public schools at Rich- 
mond and remained at home until he was of awe. 
He is as conversant with the early history of this 
locality as any man here. 

At the early age of sixteen, our subject com- 
menced to trade in stock. Later he entered the 
State service under Gov. Jackson, served for one 
year and participated in the battle of Lexington. 
In 1862, he went to Adams Count}', 111., and there 
engaged in stock-dealing for a year. The next 
year he crossed the plains with a diove of mules 
and returned in 1864 to Adams Count}'. In 1865 
he came to Ray County, and the following year 
he located on his present farm in Crooked River 
Township. He has since followed the calling of 
agriculture and has been verj- successful. 



404 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Judge Keyes was first married August 23, 1865, 
in Adams County, 111., to Mary A. Keyes, of 
Nodaway County, Mo., who died March 4, 1870. 
Their only child is also deceased. October 27, 
1874, the Judge was united in marriage with 
Eliza M. Keyes, a sister of his first wife. They 
were the daughters of George W. and Martha M. 
Keyes, the former a native of Virginia and born 
August 11, 1821, and the latter born in Alabama 
May 16, 1832. They were married in Richmond, 
February 8, 1846. The father is deceased, but his 
widow still survives. 

In politics. Judge Ke^'es is a Democrat, and 
fraternally, he has been a Mason for a long time. 
Both he and his wife have been members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church Soutli for many years. 
The Keyes estate comprises five hundred and 
thirty-five acres of choice land, which is located 
on sections 7, 17, 18, 19 and 20. Our subject was 
formerly greatl}' interested in the breeding of 
Shorthorn cattle, but of late years has given it up. 
Between the years of 1870 and 1880 he was 
the proprietor of a general Store, adjoining his 
farm. He has always dealt in grain, and has bought 
and shipped considerable in the past few years. 
Aside from liis fine farm lierc he owns a controlling 
interest in sixteen hundred acres of land in Barber 
and Pratt Counties, Kan., and is also a stockholder 
in the banlv at Hardin. As above stated, lie is at 
present serving as Judge of Ray County, and is fill- 
ing that responsible position to the utmost satisfac- 
tion of the people so far as he knows. 



Sjr^jENJAMIN B. ITTMAN, M. D., has oper- 
l^^ ated a drug store at Bucklin,Linn County, 
i'/?M))l; for the past twenty years and also is the 
^-^^ owner of one at Brookfield. He is one of 
the leading physicians and surgeons of the coun- 
ty and holds the position of surgeon of the Santa 
Fe and the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad Com- 
panies. His parents were AVilliam and Sarah 
(Head) Putman, the former a farmer by occupa- 
tion and a native of Kentucky. He was a sub- 



stantial and trustworthy man in every sense of 
the word, and held membership with the old-school 
Baptist denomination. In addition to farming he 
also operated both a saw and a flour mill. He was 
called from his labors in 1887. His wife died 
many years previously, in 1864. They were the 
parents of ten children, only four now living. 
They are as follows: Francis M.,a grocer residing 
in California; Jonathan J., a manufacturer living 
near Denver, Colo.; our subject, and Jefferson E., 
a druggist in California. The brother Jefferson 
E. was a soldier in the late Civil War, belonging 
to the Forty -second Missouri Infantry. 

Dr. Putman was born in Linn County on June 
10, 1844. Four years previously his parents had 
become residents of Linn County, settling near 
North Salem, where the father was among the 
early pioneers. Tlie Doctor was reared on a farm 
and attended the district schools of the neighbor- 
hood. Concluding to become a physician, he took 
a course of lectures at the St. Louis Medical Col- 
lege, which he entered at the age of twenty years. 
On concluding his studies from that institution he 
commenced practice at North .Salem, where he was 
located for one year. In 1866 he settled in Buck- 
lin, which, with the exception of perhaps a year, 
has been the field of his labors up to the present 
time. In 1870 he went to California, returning 
home in the following j'ear. He was graduated 
from the St. Louis Medical College in the spring 
of 1872 and has since been actively engaged as a 
physician and surgeon. 

In 1865 the Doctor married Miss Mary L. Carter, 
who is a native of Iowa. She is a daughter of 
James Carter, now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. 
Putman have been born eight children, but three 
of whom are living. They are: Sophrona Alice, a 
student at Stanberiy (Mo.) College; Ola and Homer, 
who are attending the puolic schools of Bucklin. 
Mrs. Putman is a memberof the Jlethodist Epis- 
copal Church South. 

For eight years the Doctor has been Master of 
the Blue Lodge in this place and has held all the 
principal offices as well. He is also a member 
of Linn Chapter No. 40, of Brookfield, and of 
Cii'ur de Leon Commandery No. 14, K. T., of 
Brookfield. He is a stockholder and Vice-pi'esi- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



405 



deut of the Bucklln Bank. The Doetoi- takes 
quite an interest in politics, being a supporter of 
tiie Democratic party and having been frequentlj' 
made a delegate to county and State conventions. 
lie is President of the School IJoard and is a mem- 
ber of the Grand River Medical Society. 



T. KCXiERS. F'oremost among the vari- 
ous business establishments which have con- 
tributed to tiie lasting prosperity of Lawson 
^^^ is the drug store owned and managed by 
Mr. Rogers. It is stocked with a complete line of 
drugs, toilet articles, stationery, and the various 
articles usually to be found in a well-managed 
pharmacy. Although young in years, Mr. Rogers is 
an experienced druggist, and li.as for a number of 
years been successfully engaged in this business. 
Few residents of Ray County arc better known 
than our subject, for he has passed almost his en- 
tire life within its limits, and has a large circle of 
acquaintances. His father's farm, where he first 
oi)ened his eyes to the light, was located about 
SIX nnles east of Lawson, and the date of his birth 
was November 4, 1860. Wlien he was three 3'ears 
old he was orphaned bj- the death of his father, 
Isaac Rogers, and seven years afterward his mother 
was again married, her husband being A. Eber- 
sole, of Gentry County, Mo. 

In the home of his maternal grandfather, Abra- 
ham Titus, our subject passed his childhood years, in 
somewiial the usual manner of country boys. He 
attended the district schools, in which he acquired 
his education. Later, he worked for his step-father 
until he was twenty-one, when he came to Law- 
son and engaged as a clerk for Titus Bros., his 
uncles, who were in the drug business. After oc- 
cupying a clerical position for four years, he pur- 
chased an interest in the business of his uncle, J. 
H. Titus, the other brother, James, having died 
one year after our subject entered the store. The 
partnership with J. H. Titus existed for two years, 
and after it was dissolved our subject entered into 
a husiui'ss (•(>nnocli«jn witli Otis Atteiberry, the 



firm name being Rogers .1- Atterberry. The firm 
dissolved partnership about three years after its 
inception, and Mr. Rogers, purchasing his part- 
ner's interest, has since continued the business 
alone. 

In 1885 Mr. Rogers married Miss Flora B., 
daughter of A. W. Rainwater, proprietor of tlie 
Lawson Hotel. One child has been born of the 
union, John Marford. In his social affiliation our 
subject is identified with the Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows and with the Knights of Pythi.as, 
in which latter organization he is serving as Mas- 
ter of Finance, and has at various times filled the 
ofl^ices of Chancellor-Commander, Past Chancellor 
and Master-at-Arms. He takes an intelligent in- 
terest in the important questions of the day, and, 
with all otliers of his party, rejoiced in the elec- 
tion of Grover Cleveland to the Presidency. He 
has ever been loyal in his adherence to the princi- 
ples of the Democratic party, to which he gives his 
enthusiastic support. 



eHRISTOPHER R. SHAW. Altliough still 
quite a young man, few of his age have 
traveled more extensively or have stored 
their minds with a larger fund of information 
than he to whom we call attention in this article. 
Thrown upon his own resources at an early age, 
he proved equal to the demands of a somewhat 
rough life and came out of a wandering existence 
well content to settle down to the business of 
farming. Mr. Shaw was born in Richmond, Ray 
County, Mo., in March, 1866, being the son of C. 
R. and Lottie (Keyes) Shaw. 

The father of our subject died some four months 
before his birth, November 14, 1866, at the age of 
thirty-three. Some time after his demise the widow 
married C. W. James, of Ray County, and now 
lives in Clay County, Mo., having by her second 
union become the mother of one child, Mattie H., 
wife of John Young, of Wyandotte, Kan. By her 
first marriage she had four children, namelj-: John 
C, of Harrison County, Mo.; George W., of Indc- 



406 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



pendence, Mo.; James T., living near Morton, Mo., 
and our subject. The maternal grandfather of 
our subject, John Keyes, died in Southwestern 
Kansas. Mrs. James is still living, much respected 
by those who know iier. When her first husband 
died he was the possessor of three hundred and 
sixty acres of land in Ray County. 

The only education wliich our subject received 
was the teaching given him by his mother, who 
proved a faithful instructor. At the early age of 
ten he began to take care of himself. When liv- 
ing in Texas he went upon a ranch and drove cat- 
tle all through the Western States and territories, 
from the Gulf to the British possessions. In the 
si)ring of 1887, he came to tiie farm left him by 
ills father, known as the C. R. Shaw estate, wliere 
he has remained ever since, farming and dealing 
in stock, lie owns one liundred acres of line land, 
nearly all of which is in a iiigli state of cultiva- 
tion. 

In politics, our subject is a Democrat, as was his 
father before him. He is a bright, energetic \oung 
man, with sufHcieut confidence in himself to make 
tlie most of his opportunities, and his good busi- 
ness habits, with his knowledge of stock and farm- 
ing, give promise of much prosperity for the future. 
His neighbors, the older of whom knew and re- 
spected his fatlier, are attached to the young man 
and have nothing but good words to say about 
him. He devotes liis entire time to the farm and 
displays excellent judgment in all that lie under- 
takes. 



/ ♦^♦ss* 



<:il 1>;1LLIAM HE:NIU' HUMPHREY, a well- 
\/\ ll known farmer of section 2, township 57, 
\yW range 22, Linn County, was born in 
Franklin County, Ind., August 29, 1845. His 
fatlier, William R. (j. Humphrey, a native of 
Pennsylvania, was reared in Philadelphia and was 
a carpenter by trade. He was married in San- 
gamon County, 111., to Miss Priscilla Ilayiies, a na- 
tive of Harper's Ferry, Va. After living a few 
years in Illinois, they removed to Indiana, return- 



ing later to Illinois, and coming to Missouri in 
1867, where they settled near Chillicotlie. Tliey 
have seven cliildren, all of whom are living, and 
of whom our subject is the eldest. The father is 
a Republican and is now seventy-two years of age, 
wliile his wife, who is a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Ciiureh, is two years his junior. 

Until reaching the age of fourteen years our 
subject passed his time on his father's farm, at 
which time he commenced learning the carpen- 
ter's and joiner's trade. He received a common- 
school education and remained under the parental 
roof until reaching his majority. His first farm 
was the one where Henry Bargar now resides. He 
afterward cleared and improved a farm south of 
Meadville, after which, removmg to Chillicothe, 
he remained there until 1873. He then settled on 
liis present farm of three hundred and twenty 
acres, whicli had but small improvements. It is 
now under good cultivation and upon it in 1888 
lie erected a pleasant home residence at a cost of 
$1,400. 

In 1868 Mr. Humplire}- married Emily J. Hus- 
ted, whose parents, David and Phcebe (Humphrey) 
Husted, were both natives of Franklin County, 
Ind. The former, who was born in 1821, was a 
farmer by occupation and a member of the Pres- 
byterian Church, as was also his wife, who was 
born in 1824. They were for many years resi- 
dents of Decatur County, Ind., where the wife's 
death occurred in 1871, and that of the husband 
in 1880. Of their six children, four now survive. 
Mrs. Humphre}' was born January 13, 1847, in 
Decatur County, Ind., where she received a dis- 
trict-school education. To our worthy subject 
and his wife have been born three children, of 
whom Belva D., born .lanuary 9, 1884, is tiieir 
only surviving child. 

Mr. Ilumphrej' is one of the stockholders and 
Directors in the Meadville Milling Company and 
is Vice-president and Director in the bank of 
Meadville. He owns some fine residence property 
in Chillicotlie, and for the past fifteen years has 
served his fellow-townsmen as Road Overseer in 
this district. He is a member of the Ancient Or- 
der of United Workmen at Meadville, and has 
been Director of School District No. 8 for nine- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



407 



teen yeai's. His little rlaiighter, now nine 3'caisof 
age, is ii very bright and promising little one, and 
though so young reads in the Fiftli Reader. Our 
subject is a Republican politically and is strongly 
in favor of Protection. The father of our subject 
has been a prominent mathematician and at one 
time published a book of one-rule arithmetic, con- 
taining one hundred and thirty-three solid pages, 
in which the short methods of solving practical 
problems were exemplified. 



m>^^<m^ 



'SA BROCKMAN. Possessing a farm in 
township 51, range 28, Ray County, 
ada[)ted to the growing of grain and the 
(1^ raising of stock, our subject pursues both 

departments of agriculture with assiduity and suc- 
cess. His position in the communitj' is one of 
prominence and he is held in esteem by all who 
know him. He was born in Clark County, K3'., 
April 19, 1826, and is the son of Joseph E. and 
Mary J. (Culbertson) Brockman. His parents were 
natives of Kentucky, the father born June 1, 1805, 
and the mother March 20, 1801. 

The father of our subject was educated in the 
district common school and remained with his par- 
ents until his marriage, which occurred when he 
was but eighteen years of age. Afterward he 
rented land for one year, and then removed to 
Howard County, Mo., where he raised one crop. 
In the j'ear 1828 he came to Ra}' County, Mo., 
and bought the farm now occupied by our sub- 
ject, consisting of one hundred and sixty-five acres. 
The country was new, he being one of the first 
settlers, arid his farm was heavily limbered with 
white oak and walnut, in which deer, turke3'S and 
hears were plentiful. He drove hither across the 
country with horse teams. His first home was 
built of logs and was roofed with hoards weighted 
with poles, while the floor was of puncheon. The 
children of his marriage, eight in number, were: 
Asa, our subject; Milton, Clifton, Harmon F.; 
Israel, who died in early manhood; and tlu-ee who 
died young. He and his wife were devote(( mem- 



bers of the Christian Church. The principles of 
the AVhig party were very dear to him and he was 
an enthusiastic follower of Henry Clay. His par- 
ents were Stephen and Elizabeth Brockman, natives 
of Virginia, who settled in Kentucky at an early 
day. 

Being but a child when he came to the wild- 
erness, the educational advantages of our subject 
were very limited. The primitive schoolhouse in 
which he gained a rudimentary education was con- 
structed of logs, with a log cut out of the whole 
length of the side for a window. A log split in 
two, with sticks for uprights, answered for seats 
and desks. The teachers of those earl}- days were 
not as thoroughl}' trained for their work as those 
of the present time, and'- lickin' " went along with 
"larnin'." Our subject left his parents for the 
first time in 1849, when he went to California, 
making the journey with an ox-team in company 
with seven others. The part}' was on the road 
from April 10 to August 20, when they arrived at 
Sacramento. The hardships endured in the jour- 
ney were many, but were bravely borne. Our sub- 
ject began work in the Golden State by choppino- 
wood at 1^8 per cord, and soon thereafter went 
into the mines, where he remained a few months. 
Later, he proceeded to the Sonoma Valley, where 
he worked at fencing for a large land company. 

In the spring of 1850, Mr. Brockman returned 
to the mines and there made sometimes as much 
as lilOO a day with the pan. In a few months he 
went back to the valley and worked for 8100 a 
mouth, after which he took a trip to the moun- 
tains as a hunter of deer and elk. In 1851 he re- 
turned home by way of the ocean, and upon re- 
suming his former occupation purchased his fa- 
ther's farm. Previous to this, in 1850, his parents 
went with him to California, where they resided 
until their death, the mother passingaway in 1888, 
and the father in 1890. 

Our subject remained in the East after his re- 
turn in 1851. In 1852 he married Sarah F., dau'^h- 
ter of Ballard and Nancy (Jackson) Iludgens, a 
native of Ray County, Mo., her parents being na- 
tives of Kentucky. The children of this marriage 
were ten, two of whom died when young: John 
C. mnrricd M.uy Rush; Harvey M. married Haltie 



408 



i'ORTRAlT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Keller; Naucy J. is the wife of Joseph Rosell; 
James A. married Maud Jones; Lou Isabell is the 
wife of Joseph A. Brown; Sarah A., deceased, was 
the wife of Luther Plulips; and Asa B. married Ida 
Smithey. Mr. Brockman and his wife are earnest 
and active members of the Christian Church. In 
polities, he is a Democrat, voting and worl?ing 
with that party. In 18G1 lie entered the Union 
army, enlisting in Company E, Fifty-first Enrolled 
Missouri Militia, under Col. Barr, and was in the 
battle of Glasgow, where he was captured, but for- 
tunately remained a prisoner only a short time. 
Soon afterward he was paroled and discharged. 
Returning home, he resumed tlie duties connected 
with the management of his well-appointed farm 
of two hundred and eighty-seven acres, upon 
which he carries on general farming and stock- 
raising. 



f^, ARION A. STEARNS, residing on section 
1\\ 8, township 57, range 21, Linn County, 
lL settled on his present farm in 1867, at 
which time the country was wild and un- 
improved and but three houses had been erected 
in Meadville. He is one of tiie leading and pro- 
gressive farmers of this locality, and has suc- 
ceeded beyond his expectations as an agriculturist. 
The father of our subject Cyrus Stearns, was a 
native of Massachusetts, and of Scotch descent. 
The family date their residence in New England 
almost back to the days of the "Mayflower." The 
paternal grandparents of our subject were John 
and Lucy Stearns, prominent people in Spring- 
field, Mass. Our subject's mother was in maiden- 
hood Miss Lucy Reed, licr father, Daniel Reed, be- 
ing a soldier in the War of 1812, and one of 
the first white settlers in Orleans County, N. Y., 
where he made a permanent home, and attained 
the ripe old age of seveut^'-five years. He assisted 
in the building of the Erie Canal, and was a weal- 
thy farmer in Orleans County. He was a Deacon 
in the Baptist Church and a leading man of the 
community. Cyrus and Lucy (Reed) Stearns were 
married in (Orleans County, where they made their 



home during life. The father was intellectually 
a fine scholar, and an orator of marked abilit}'. 
He was active in politics, and personally was 
generous, and a man of thoroughl}^ upright char- 
acter. Of his family of seven children, but four 
are living: Marion A., our subject; Louisa, now 
Mrs. Edward True; Julia, Mrs. Hebbard; and For- 
dj'ce. One son, Sebastian, was a member of the 
Eighth New York Infantry, and died while in 
the service. The mother was a devoted member of 
the Baptist Church. 

The birth of our subject occurred September 8, 
1837, in Orleans Count}', N. Y., his boyhood daj's 
being passed on his father's farm. His educational 
privileges were limited, as there were but few dis- 
trict schools at that early day. Leaving home 
when eighteen years of age, he went to Ohio, ob- 
taining employment as an engineer in a sawmill in 
Ashtabula Countj'. 

Mr. Stearns was one of the first to enlist under 
the Stars and Stripes, becoming a member of Com- 
pany II, Eighty-third Pennsylvania Infantry, un- 
der Col. McLean, on April 10, 1861. His enlist- 
ment was forthree months" service, at the expira- 
tion of which he was discharged at Pittsburgh. 
From that cit}' he returned to his home at Con- 
neaut, Ohio, where on August 28, 1861, he entered 
the Second Ohio Light Artillery', Independent. Of 
this company, which w.is a six-gun battery under 
Capt. Carlin,Mr. Stearns was made Corporal. They 
were sent first to St. Louis, thence to Springfield, 
Mo., and from there were sent to Rolla, remain- 
ing in that city until Februar}', 1862, when thc\- 
were again sent to Springfield. Mr. Stearns hel{)cd 
to run Gen. Price out of Missouri and followed 
him up until tiie battle of Pea Ridge. The com- 
pany was then ordered to Helena, Ark., where thej' 
participated in an important battle. Then under 
Gen. Grant they fought two battles at Port Gibson 
and Champion Hill, both being desperate conflicts, 
in which half of their corps was destroyed. They 
also participated in the battle and siege of Vicks- 
burg, from which city they were ordered to J.ick- 
son. Miss., wliich they captured. They were again 
ordered back to Vicksburg, a week later being sent 
to New Orleans, taking part in the Red River ex- 
pedition untler Gen. Banks. In New Orleans the}- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



409 



received their final discliarge after a service of 
tliree years and three months. Few indeed of the 
number which started out two liiindred and sixt\' 
strong were left to return to tlieir homes, but seven 
men responding to tiie roll call when they were 
finally released from their service in the luion 
cause. Mr. Stearn.i- was never in the hospital, and 
though he did not miss a battle in which Carlin's 
battery took part, lie seemed to lead a charmed 
life, for he was never wounded. 

On leaving the South, Mr. Stearns went to the 
Pennsylvania oil regions, which at that time were 
so noted throughout the world, and settled upon 
Oil Creek, where he remained for two years. While 
there, in the spring of 1867, Mr. Stearns became ac- 
quainted with and won for his bride Mrs. AnnaB. 
(Ryan) O'Connell, who was born in the Emerald Isle, 
December 24, 1840. Their union has been graced 
with six children, who are in order of birth as fol- 
lows: Walter E., who is a farmer of Linn County, 
and who married Miss Lizzie HoUeuburg; Charles 
O.; Julia; Mary; Roy M., deceased; and Agnes. 
They have received good educational privileges, 
and have all attended college as they became of 
proper age. By a former marriage with James 
O'Connell, Mrs. Stearns had been the mother of 
two sons, one deceased and Thomas O'Connell. 

In 1867, Mr. Stearns removed to Missouri lo- 
cating on his present farm, to which he has 
since given his care and attention. The farm now 
comprises three hundred and eighty acres, which 
are divided into fort3'-acre fields, and which are all 
well improved. Soon after his arrival, he erected 
a frame house, dug a well and put up a barn. 
He broke three hundred acres of prairie during the 
first ten years of his residence in Missouri. His 
present home, which was finished last year, was erec- 
ted at a Gost of $1,600, and is in every respect a 
model, substantial and commodious farm house. 
It is nicel}' furnished and is the abode of hospital- 
ity and good cheer. A number of substantial barns 
and outbuildings are on this farm, also two large 
orchards, which our subject set out himself, and 
which contain upwards of one thousand trees. He 
is engaged in general farming and in raising grain 
and fine live stock of the best grades. 

Mrs. Stearns is a member of the Catholic Church, 



while our subject is an agnostic. He is a member 
of the Grand Army of the Republic at Mead- 
ville, of which he has been Commander. He is 
also a member of 'the Ancient Order of Tnitcd 
Workmen, and until 181U affiliated with the Re- 
publican Party, since which time he has been a 
nienil)er of the People's party. During the last 
election he was a candidate on that ticket for the 
office of County Treasurer. He is connected with 
the Farmers' and Labors Union, having been Presi- 
dent of the county union and President of the 
local lodge. He has been for many years Trustee 
of Schools. He is also a member of the Anti- 
Horse Thief Association. 



lF_^ C. WOOLLEN, the energetic and en terpris- 
[Tj! ing proprietor of the well-kept and excel - 
li)^' lently managed livery stables of Laclede 
'^1 Linn County, Mo., is a business man of fine 
ability, and aims to furnish the local and traveling 
public with the best accommodations desired, and 
to that end has a fully-equipped establishment, and 
owns an excellent variety of good teams and ve- 
hicles. For a full score of years the residence of 
Mr. Woollen has been within the boundaries of the 
State of Missouri, but he is a native of Illinois, and 
was born May 5, 1851, m Adams County, where 
he was reared and educated in the public schools. 
His father, James A. Woollen, from early times a 
leading citizen and prosperous farmer of Arling- 
ton Township, Adams County, is widel}' known as 
a successful stock-raiser. 

At twenty-one years of age our subject began 
working for his father by the month, and having 
been trained into the full knowledge of the tilling 
of the soil, was a most capable hand, and continued 
to labor upon the old homestead for two j-ears, at 
the expiration of that time farming upon his own 
account for a twelvemonth. In 1874 Mr. Woollen 
removed to Marion County, Mo., there engaging 
actively in agricultural pursuits for the succeed- 
ing eight years. During this period our subject 



410 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



was, in 1876, in Adams County, 111., married to 
Miss Eva Hulse, daughter of Richard Hulsc, a 
printer of Adams County. Making his liome pros- 
perously for a number of years in Marion County, 
Mr. AVoollen flnall3' settled in tlic tlourisiiing town 
of Brookfield, settling in Linn Cointy October 15, 
1887. 

After a brief time he was enabled to secure a 
well-improved farm northeast of Laclede, where 
he removed and for four j-ears devoted himself to 
the cultivation of the fertile acres. In the meantime 
a favorable opportunity presented itself to our 
subject for the purchase of his present business, 
and upon the loth of October, 1891, he bought 
out James Willarti, then proprietor of the livery 
stables of Laclede, the only establisliment of the 
kind in town. Since then the business has in- 
creased materially, and now enj03's amostexcellent 
patronage. Our subject is a member of Laclede 
Lodge No. 221, K. P. Li political affiliations he 
is a stalwart Republican, and although not an act- 
ive politician is deeply interested in the outcome 
of local and national issues. Socially Mr. AVooUen 
is a favorite, and is widely known and highly re- 
spected. Ilis father and mother are residents of their 
old farm in Illinois. The pleasant home of our 
subject and his estimable wife has been brightened 
by the presence of three attractive and intelligent 
children, manly, promising sons, Frank C, Fred H. 
and Howard T. 

These sons will be given every opportunity to 
fit themselves worthily for the positions of influence 
and usefulness which will undoubtedly be their 
portion in life. Grandfather and Grandmother 
Woollen are now intending soon to make a change 
of residence, and that they may in their declining 
years enjo}' the society of tlieir son and his fam- 
ily, are about to locate upon a farm two miles and 
a-half south of Laclede. Arriving in their new 
home in the evening of tlieir days, they will be 
warmly welcomed, and cannot long remain stran- 
gers in a land which has so long held their nearest 
and dearest. Busily occupied with the daily cares 
of business, Mr. AVoollen is actively interested in 
local enterprise and improvement, and has ever 
since his residence within the Stale been an im- 
portant factor in the advancement of the best in- 



terests of his locality. He is a man of to-day, ear- 
nest, intelligent and progressive, and as a substan- 
tial and leading citizen commands the confidence 
of the entire social and business communit}' at La- 
clede. 



aHARLES P. VANDIVER is the editor and 
-- proprietor of the Chariton ObM>-*er, published 
' at Keytesville, the county seat. In 1883 
our subject's father,A. C. Vandiver, and his brother- 
in-law, J. M. Collins, purchased the paper of J. A. 
Hudson, and at that time Charles P. was made 
local editor, in which position he continued for 
three years. In 1886 he assumed permanent con- 
trol of the paper and became junior partner of the 
firm, Mr. Collins having retired. At the expira- 
tion of three years the latter returned to the part- 
nership, buying out the elder Mr. Vandiver. The 
new firm was known as Vandiver & Collins until 
June 1, 1892, when the former bought his partner's 
interest and has since operated the paper alone. 
This is the onl^y newspaper published at the county 
seat, and is first-class in every respect. The owner 
is building a new office and is striving to make the 
Courier rank with the best newspapers of the State. 
It contains all home print, over three pages being- 
devoted to local news, one page to border county 
notes, one page to editorials, and the remainder to 
general reading matter. Mr. Vandiver is enter- 
prising and his editorials on the latest general 
questions of importance are intelligent and com- 
prehensive. 

Mr. Vandiver was born in Howard, Mo., on 
Christmas Day, 1858, and removed to this county 
with his parents in early childhood. He was reared 
on a farm until 1871, when he became a resident 
of Keytesville, since which time he has here made 
his home. He received an early district-school 
education, which was supplemented with a course 
of study in the public schools, from which he was 
graduated in 1878. He was an apt scholar and 
graduated with the honors of his class. He very 
early concluded to adojjt liis present profession 




-'^^^- \ 





^^f-UAj ^^^iu/^^ 



Jc 



OaS'tS 




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



413 



and in 1883 made his first venture in tliis line as 
a local editor. 

In February, 1890, our subject married Mrs. S. 
E. Vauglian, daughter of James M. Smitli,a promi- 
nent pioneer of Carroll County. By her former 
marriage Mrs. Vandiver is the mother of one child, 
a daughter, Sammie. Mr. Vandiver is a member 
of the Knights of Pythias and holds membership 
with the Methodist Episcopal Church South. 
Politically, he is affiliated with the Democratic 
party, being strongly- in favor of free trade. 



iSW^^vCts. 



S3i-^"i^li^^ 



|EV. MOSES FIFIELD, the subject of this 
sketch, was born at Salisbury', Merrimac 

s^\ County, N. H., June 25, 1826, and resided 
^^in his native place until twent^'-three 
years old, when he removed to Manchester. The 
grandfather of our subject was one of the heroes 
at the battle of Bunker Hill, and while confined 
bj- a wound received in that historic conflict, 
made a cane, which our subject now has in his 
possession. The grandfather lived at Salisbury, 
Mass., and was attending church one Sunday 
morning, when news came of the entrance of the 
British into Boston, .soon after which he went to 
the front in his country's defense. The wound he 
received, while a serious one, soon healed and no 
bad effect followed, as be lived to the great age 
of ninet3'. 

Our subject was an engineer at Manchester for 
four j'ears. In 1852 he established his homo in 
Washtenaw County, Mich., where he remained for 
several years, dealing in farm property. During 
the nineteen years of his residence in tiiat county, 
he owned and resided ujion eleven different farms. 
In April, 1866, he came to Linn County, Mo., 
and located two and one-half miles southwest of 
Brookfleld on a farm which he purchased, consist- 
ing of three hundred and twentj^ acres of new 
land. Selling this place, he bought and improved 
two farms in turn and then went to Forest River, 
Walsh County, N. Dak., where he secured a farm 
and resided for four years. He returned thence to 



Missouri, where he settled at Brookfield, and es- 
tablished an oil route, which he recently dis- 
posed of. 

At the age of twenty', our subject married Har- 
riet E. Harvey, who was born in Grantham, N. IL, 
and died in August, 1890, having been the mother 
of the following-named children: Lydia W., wife 
of Theodore Wood, of Northville, INIich.; Amos 
D., a stockman, of Waj-ne, Mich.; Frank G., who 
died at the age of forty, at Brookfleld; and Susan 
L., who died in childliood. Mr. Fifleld married a 
second time, March 23, 1892, his wife being 
Miss Maria AVare, who was born in Linn County, 
Mo. Her father, William Ware, a native of A^ir- 
ginia, became one of the first settlers of Linn 
Count}', and located on a farm ten miles from 
Brookfield. He reached the county as early as 
1837, and died in 1861. His son Robert occu- 
pies the old homestead. Mr. Fifield is a Demo- 
crat, as were his grandfather and father; however, 
he cast his vote for John C. Fremont and Abra- 
ham Lincoln. In principle, our subject is an out- 
and-out Prohibitionist, and has never taken a 
drink of liquor and never uses tobacco. He and 
his wife are devoted members of the United Breth- 
ren Church, to which he has contributed with the 
greatest generosity. He has met with decided 
financial success, and is liberal-minded in relig- 
ious, business, social and political matters. 

At the age of eighteen, Mr. Fifield began to 
teach school and followed that profession for sev- 
eral years. He had been a student at Strafl:'ord, 
and burnt many tallow candles and pine knots 
while pursuing his studies. At the tender age of 
four he was left alone, his mother having died and 
his father having gone to New York. F"riends, 
however, took care of him in his childhood. 
AVhen thirty-five 3'ears old, he began to preacli, 
while living in Michigan. He was never ordained 
as a minister, but held the relation of probationer 
with tlie Conference, having refused to be or- 
dained because he did not agree on the subject of 
baptism with his church, which he joined at fif- 
teen. About one year ago he became a member 
of the United Bretliren Church, and was very 
active in the building of a new edifice at Brook- 
fleld, to which he subscribed ^500. He was a 



414 



PORTRAIT AND BI0C4RAPHICAL RECORD. 



strong and stirring evangelist in Michigan. He has 
always been able to express himself in vigorous 
English, but is not a Latin scliolar, and not at all 
in S3'mpatliy with the aristocratic tendencies of 
modern churches. The following letter will be of 
interest to our readers. The present spoken of is 
a fine gold watch, of the giver of which Mr. Fifield 
has no knowledge. 

" 'Wiiosoever will be my disciple, let him deny 
himself, take up his cross and follow me.' — Luke 
ix., 23. 

•'Nkw Yoi;k C'lTV, .Tune 20, 1881. 
" Mk. FiriEiJ) : 

" Deak Sir : — Seventeen years ago I heard you 
preach a discourse at Smith's Corners, Salisbury, 
N. IL By giving heed to your instruction, I have 
been saved from being an inebriate, hell, and a 
drunkard's grave, for which I can not repay you. 
Last week I learned your postofflce address. 
Please call at \^our express oHice and expect a 
present, as a token of my love for you; value 
^150, gold. Soon after this event, I engaged in 
the jewelrj' business at No. 26 Third Street, New 
York Cit}'. If you come near here, call and see 
me, please. Yours truly, 

"A Friend." 

The sermon mentioned by the writer of the let- 
ter was preached under the following circum- 
stances: After some years of hard ministerial labor 
in Michigan, Mr. Fifield's health broke down, and 
with his family he visited the home of his child- 
hood, stopping with an aunt of his wife's, ten 
miles from Salisbury. He accepted an invitation 
to preach in the church where he had experienced 
religion. Selecting his texts for the morning and 
evening discourses with great care, he jotted his 
thoughts down on paper and rehearsed his ser- 
mons many times. AVhen the time arrived, he 
walked ten miles to a friend's house, suffering 
from his lungs too much to ride. It being too 
early for tlie meeting-hour, lie lay down, fell 
asleep and dreamed he would fail unless he 
changed his subject, and preached from a text 
which appeared to him vividly in his dream. 
When he awoke he tried to recall the text and ser- 
mon as he had prepared them, but they had gone 
utterly. He could not recall the text from the 
morning even. As may be supposed, he was most 
anxious to pre.ach well to his old friends, and as 



he walked toward church he seemed to be in de- 
spair. However, after a solitary walk, lie found 
the points coming back, and after constructing his 
headings and jotting them down on paper, he felt 
much easier. Once in the pulpit, he announced a 
iiymn, read a chapter, led in prayer, placed his 
notes at random in the Bible unseen b}' the con- 
gregation, then gave out a second hymn and 
opened the Bible, when to his intense surprise 
there stood out before him, in letters apparently- 
six inches long, the text of his dream. In a 
moment he saw that it was intended that he 
should preach from the text quoted at the head 
of the letter above. Without a second's hesita- 
tion he entered upon his subject. It was a warm 
day in June, and he soon pulled off his coat and 
hammered out the genuine Gospel as never before, 
and after more than an hour's talk was completelj' 
exhausted. The large audience was deeply af- 
fected, and the sermon led to the reformation of 
the voung man mentioned above. 



'j^^ik, A. JAMISON is the popular and well- 
I jj known editor of the Jefferson km, which is 
liSc^ one of the leading Democratic papers of 
Carroll County. He is a native of Missouri, his 
birth having occurred in June, 1852, in Saline 
County. His parents were J. N. and Edinonia 
(Houston) Jamison. The former was a native of 
Virginia and was a farmer by occupation. 

Our subject was reared to manhood in Saline 
County, Mo., where he attended the common dis- 
trict schools. He afterward took a course in sur- 
veying, in which line he was employed for several 
years. In 1884 he located in Norborno, Carroll 
Count3-, where he embarked in the real-estate and 
insurance business, which he earned on success- 
full}' for some time. In 1887 he formed a ])art- 
nership with S. J. Montgomery, of this county, 
for the establishment and carrying on of a news- 
paper, which they called the Jeffersonian, and 
which is published in Norborne. The pai)er is 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



415 



ablj- conducted, and is one of the leading organs 
of tlie Democratic party in this section of the 
State. As might be inferred from tlie ])receding, 
Mr. Jamison is an ardent supporter of the Demo- 
cratic pai-ty. 

In the year 1886, a marri.age ceremony per- 
formed in this county united the fortunes of 
Mr. Jamison and Miss Jennie Spotts, who is a na- 
tive of this county. Both our subject and his 
wife are members of the INIethodist Episcopal 
Church South, and are active in its sujiport and 
interests. 



^^EORGE T. IIOP.SON, a dealer in staple and 
(II __ fancy groceries in Browning, Linn Counlj^ 
^^^1 removed to Missouri when eight years of 
age, and has since been a resident of this State. 
He was born in La Prairie, Hancock County, 111., 
on March 22, 1862. His father, Nathaniel Clark 
Ilopson, is a native of the Buckeye State, and lias 
made farming his life occupation. He married 
Miss Delia Sutlive, a native of Tennessee, and to 
them were born five sous and three daughters, of 
whom our subject was the fifth in order of birth. 
The other members of the family are: Henry, a 
farmer near Meadville, Linn County; Alfred, re- 
siding in Coryell County, Tex., where he carries 
on a farm; James, who is an agent for a sewing- 
machine company; Nathan, who is carrj'ing on the 
homestead for his father; Mary, the wife of J. P. 
Turner, a farmer by occupation; and Etta, now the 
wife of Luther Thomas, who resides near Linneus, 
Linn County. After engaging in agricultural 
pursuits in Illinois for many years, Nathaniel 
Hopson removed to Missouri in 1870. He en- 
g.iged in farming in Linn County for some time, 
after which he sold out his projjerty tliere and 
located on his present land, which is situated two 
miles north of Meadville, Linn County. His farm 
comprises one hundred and twenty acres, and is 
valued at ^40 an acre at the present time. 

The subject of this sketch was married in 1882, 
to Miss Auna C. Burkhuld, whose birthplace was 



in Canada. They have two daugliters, Minnie 
Opal and Vivian Gladys. They are bright little 
girls, and are rqceiving the advantages of a good 
education in the public schools of this citj-. 

After coming to Missouri, Mr. Hopson taught 
school for a period of two years successfully. He 
then learned telegraphy, and was in the employ of 
the Chicago, Burlington A Kansas City Railroad 
for three years. He severed his connection with 
that company by his own desire, though espe- 
cially solicited to again resume his relations with 
them, and so satisfactory were his services that he 
could at anj- time obtain a position with them 
again, if he so desired. After leaving them, he 
engaged in the jewelry and stationery business for 
two years, and later accepted a position as trav- 
eling salesman for a millinery house in Keokuk, 
Iowa, for which concern he traveled for seven 
years. He then settled in Browning, Linn Count}', 
which he expects to make his home in the future. 
He has a good location, and keeps a first-class line 
of goods in stock. 

Our subject is a member of Lain Lodge No. 
153, K. P., and of Biswell Lodge No. 510, A. 
F. & A. M. He is senior Deacon in the latter 
order. In his political beliefs, Mr. Hopson is a 
thorough Democrat, as was his father before him. 



R. CHARLES EVERSOLE. a prominent and 
iii rising medical practitioner, has for a num- 
ber of years devoted his life to that calling 
which, although extremely arduous, is one of the 
noblest to which a man can devote his life. His 
cheery presence and encouraging words have al- 
most as much to do with the convalescence of his 
patients as has his medicine, and where once he 
enters a liouse in his professional capacity he 
leaves it as a friend. He is a product of the Buck- 
eye State, his birth occurring in Fairfield County 
August 25, 1852, where his father also was born, 
April 27, 1827. The latter, John Eversole, was a 
farmer, and, although he was uneducated, yet he 
was sullicientlv intelligent to do business of all 



416 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



kinds pertaining to his callins;, and succeeded in 
amassing a comfortable competencj-. During tlio 
Civil War lie was drafted, but had a large family 
of children depending upon him for support and 
deemed it his duty to remain at home to care for 
them, but sent a man to take his place. He was 
devoted to his family and friends, and his death, 
which took place in June, 1883, was universallj- 
mourned. Politically, he was a Democrat, and as 
a citizen was lo3'al and patriotic to the core. His 
wife was Sylvia Smethers, who was also born in 
Fairfield County, Ohio, in 1825, her father being 
Daniel Smethers, who was a Pcnnsylvanian by 
birth. To Mr. and Mrs. Eversole a family of six 
children were born: Charles, Henry, John, Del- 
bert, Jane and Laura, all of whom are married and 
reside either in Ohio or Indiana. 

Dr. Charles Eversole grew to manhood on the 
old farm, performed his full share of the manual 
labor which fell to the average country youth, 
and obtained a sufficiently good education in the 
common schools in the vicinit}' of his rural home 
to entitle him to a first-grade certificate to teach 
school in Ohio, to which occupation lie devoted 
his attention with remarkable success for about 
nine years. Determining then to adopt a profes- 
sion, he went to Indianapolis, Ind., and began the 
study of medicine in the office of Dr. H. F. Barnes, 
and rounded out his preparatory study by a course 
in the Medical College of Indiana, from which he 
was graduated with honor and distinction M.ircli 
1, 188.3. He immediately turned his attention to 
professional work in Huntington County, Ind., 
and there practiced with a good degree of success 
until July, 1888, when he came to Excelsior 
Springs, Mo., and opened a drug store, at the 
same time doing an office practice, his attention 
being given to these occupations up to the pres- 
ent time. He is an intelligent and conscientious 
practitioner, and to his natural talent and ability, 
to his liberal and comprehensive education, and 
to his untiring energy and keen foresight is at- 
tributed the remarkable and gratifying success 
which has attended his generous efforts iu behalf 
of suffering humanity. His patronage is large, 
and the confidence which the public h.as in him is 
unbounded. Politicilly, the Doctor has always 



been a straight out-and-out Democrat, and is ever 
found read}^ to substantiate his belief with con- 
vincing arguments, j'et in this respect is not tiie 
least argumentative and disputatious, but shows 
the utmost respect to the views and opinions of 
those who differ with him 

On the 27th of September, 1879, the marriage 
of Dr. Eversole was celebrated, his wife being 
Miss Ludella H., daughter of Thomas J. and Re- 
becca J. Hamilton, of Bellefontaiuc, Ohio, where 
she was born. AVhen quite a young girl her mother 
died, and she was compelled to leave school and 
assume the household cares for her father, which 
she did in a capable and efficient wa}', but her 
educational advantages were thus cut short. The 
family consisted of nine children, one sister being 
an invalid, but she performed her duties faith- 
fullj' and uncomplainingly, and brought up her 
j^ounger brothers and sisters to be honorable men 
and women. Her union with Dr. Eversole has re- 
sulted in the birth of four children: Nellie V., 
born October 9, 1880; Edgar C, April 23, 1883; 
Wilbert II., May 1, 1890; and an infant yet un- 
named, October 6, 1892, all of whom are bright 
and promising children. Dr. Eversole and his 
amiable wife move in tlie highest circles, and in 
their hospitable home llioy gladly welcome their 
numerous friends. 



j.,y LONZO P. BENSON is an old an.l promi- 
WliM. nent resident of Clay Count3', Mo., whose 
walk through life has been characterized 
by energy and strict integrity. Liberal, 
generous and high-minded, his good deeds have 
been many, and it can be truly said of him that 
he never violated a friendship or foi-got a kind 
action done him. His birth occurred in Washing- 
ton County, Vt., July 13, 1835, and as he was the 
eldest scion of his father's house, he was taken 
from school at a very early age and put to work 
on the home farm, where he soon became an ex- 
pert wielder of the hoe and follower of the plow. 
Upon attaining manhood ho was married to Miss 



POETRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



417 



Delia Kiiierson, whose parents were natives of the 
Green Mountain State, and to their union three 
chiklren were born: F'rank A., born in Vermont 
July U;, 1868; Nettie C, born January 21, 18G-2, 
who is now living in Indiana; and Alice, who was 
hoiii July 17, 1875, and is a resident of Excel- 
sior Springs. In March, 1878, Mr. Benson went 
to Davis County, JIo., and seven years later came 
to Clay Count}', settling at Excelsior Springs. He 
owns some fine city property, and having an 
abundance of means is now living retired from the 
active duties of life, enjoying the fruits of many 
a hard day's labor during his early life. As a 
farmer he was shrewd and practical, always tilled 
his farm in au intelligent and progressive manner, 
and now deserves his rest after bearing the bur- 
den and heat of the daj'. He came to this State 
in search of health, is ver^' much pleased with the 
country, and expects to end his days in Missouri. 

In 1862 Mr. Benson joined the Eleventh Ver- 
mont Infantry, but was later transferred to the 
heavy artillery, with which he served in the Civil 
AVar for three years. Tlie first year or so he was 
located in different forts at Washington, D. C, to 
protect that cit}-, but on the 12th of May, 1864, 
they were placed in the field, going by boat to 
Belle Plain Landing, Va., after which they marched 
to Spottsylvania Court House, where they met Gen. 
Grant's army, and immediately thereafter en- 
gaged the Confederates in battle, his command 
being in the hottest of the fra}'. He was in the 
long and blood 3' engagement at Cold Harbor, af- 
terward at Petersburgh, where the Federal loss was 
very lieav^', and then his command was ordered 
back to Washington to rout the Confederates, 
who threatened the Capitol City, a bloody engage- 
ment taking place at Ft. Stevens, in which the 
Union troops lost forty-three men, who were buried 
on the battlefield. Although but little is known 
of this engagement, it took place Jul}' 13, 1864, 
and was hotly contested. They pursued the Con- 
federates into the Shenandoah Valley, then raade 
a forced march back to Washington, D. C, being 
followed by Gen. Early, whom they eventually 
drove back into the valley, skirmishing all the 
way. September U», 1864, tiie battle of Winches- 
ter was fought, a bayonet charge being made at 



twelve o'clock in a sort of ravine, where the Un- 
ionists were exposed to a galling lire from the 
enemy. Mr. Benson received a severe gunshot 
wound, the scar of which he will carry to his grave. 
He was wounded at the commencement of the en- 
gagement and was left lying senseless on the field 
of battle until nigiitfall, when he was carried to 
the field hospital, where he remained from Mon- 
day night until Thursday night, during which 
time he saw but one man. He was then pl;iced in 
an ambulance, his wound remaining undressed, 
and taken to Winchester, where he was placed in a 
captured rebel hosi)ital and received his first food 
after the battle. From there he went to Harper's 
Ferry, thence to Baltimore, then to Philadelphia, 
next to Brattleboro, Vt., and thence to Montpelicr, 
where he remained until June 28, 1865, when he 
was discharged and returned to his home to re- 
sume farming, but owing to the severity of the 
wounds he had received he was unable to do 
manual labor. He now receives a pension of ^30 
per month. 

He is a candid, earnest Republican, battling 
firmly for his party's principles at all times. He 
is very modest in speaking of his exploits on the 
field of battle, but every trait of his character 
would show that he kept his " back to the field 
and his face to the foe." Until November, 1889, 
the bullet with which he was wounded still re- 
mained in his head and formed an abscess, from 
which physicians could give him no relief. lie 
then went to All Saints' Hospital of Kansas Citv, 
and with the assistance of Dr. Lewis the bullet 
was extracted. It bad entered in front of the rii^ht 
ear, lodging next to the brain, and was removed 
from behind the ear. At the end of one week he 
returned home and was attended by Dr. Fraker. 
The following spring he had to submit to a second 
operation in order to remove decayed bone, and 
from this he has only partially recovered, for the 
wound has never thoroughly healed. Such a man, 
loyal to the core, honest in his convictions, uj)- 
right in life and a model citizen in every way, de- 
serves the respect and the highest honor that can 
be bestowed upon him. 

Frank A. Benson received a good common- 
school education, which he completed in Spauld- 



418 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ing's Commercial College of Kansas City. In the 
fall of 1887 he embarked in business in Excelsior 
Springs, opening a book and stationer^' establish- 
ment, and carries one of the finest stocks of goods 
in his line in the county. lie also ke^:)S a fine 
line of cigars and tobacco. He is a most agreeable 
gentleman with whom to have business dealings 
and is very courteous and obliging to his patrons, 
the result being a large patronage. He has a 
branch store in the postofflce building, which is 
presided over by a courteous and intelligent clerk. 
He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and, 
like his father, is a stanch Republican politically. 
The latter is a member of Isaac Clevenger Post 
No. 311. G. A. R. 



■^AMES D. TAYLOR, M. D., was for more 
than twenty-two years a successful practi- 
tioner in Richmond and vicinity, but is now 

retired owing to ill-health. For a score of 

years he has been a prominent druggist in this city. 
Born July 30, 1834, in Ray County, Mo., he is the 
son of Daniel Taylor, whose birth occurred in 
1802, in Pittsj'lvania Count}', Va., and who was a 
successful farmer and a worthy citizen of the Old 
Dominion. The paternal grandfather was Obadiah 
Taylor, also a native of Virginia. 

The mother of Dr. Taylor was Lucinda (Shack- 
elford) Taylor. She was a native of the same 
county and State as her husband, and the daughter 
of David Shackelford. She removed with her hus- 
band from Virginia to Ray County, Mo., where 
she died in 1835. He survived her until the fall 
of 1886. This couple made for themselves many 
friends in their Western home, who joined the 
dear ones in the old Virginia home in mourning 
their demise. 

The subject of this sketch was reared in Ray 
County, and there attended the public schools, in 
which he manifested at that early period that love 
of investigation and thirst for knowledge which 
are such marked cjualities of the man. Afterward 



he attended Richmond College, and on leaving 
that institution he read medicine with Dr. .loseph 
Chew, of Richmond. Later he entered the St. 
Louis Medical College, from which he graduated 
in 1860. Without loss of any time, he entered 
upon the practice of medicine and opened an office 
at Albany, Ray Count}', Mo. 

Less than two years passed before the Doctor's 
quiet life was distiu'bed by the breaking out of the 
rebellion and he was transferred to places of dan- 
ger and scenes of carnage. He became Assistant 
Surgeon of the First Missouri Cavalry, commanded 
by Col. Gates. On his return to Richmond he 
again engaged in professional duties and soon es- 
tablished himself in a good practice, from which, 
however, he retired in 1884. 

February 10, 1864, Dr. Taylor married Miss 
Fannie, daughter of Isaac Duvall. The Doctor 
and his wife have one son, Carl D., who was born 
April 16, 1872, and is engaged in the mercantile 
business. The Doctor is a prominent Mason of 
the Blue Lodge and Royal Arch Chapter. In pol- 
itics, he is a stanch Democrat. He and his wife 
are members of the Christian Church, in which he 
is a Deacon as a testimonial to his worthy mem- 
bership in that body. His residence, located on 
Thornton Avenue, is a neat and attractive struc- 
ture, and the Doctor's good taste, as well as that of 
his wife, is apparent in the arrangement and adorn- 
ment of their home. 



^>^^<m 



"^i OHN DOUGHEKTY. The young man who 
is the subject of this sketch has won for 
himself the confidence of the people of 
Clay County bj' diligence, integrity and 
sociability, united to a broad and liberal view of 
things, and the possession of intellectual endow- 
ments that place him far above the average man. 
He was born at latan, Platte County, Mo., Feb- 
ruary 25, 1857, a son of Dr. AV'illiam Wallace 
Dougherty, a native of Lawrence County, Ind., 
liorn Septembei- 2, 1820, the representative of an 
old and weli-kuiiwn Kentucky family. The Dough- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



419 



I'lly family wunt to Kentuckj' from Virginia 
away back in tlie time when tlie great Blue Grass 
State was known as the "dark and bloody ground," 
a name given it on account of the stubborn resist- 
ance the Indians made to tlie encroachments of 
the settlers, when most terrible massacres took 
[)lace upon its soil. The names of the grandpar- 
ents of our subject were William and Ellen Uoiigli- 
ert3', and when the grandmother died, little Will- 
iam, who afterward became the father of our 
subject, was taken to Trimble County, and was 
there reared by relatives. In 1831,tliese relatives 
removed to Pike County, Mo., and here he at- 
tended a district school for some years. 

AVhen sixteen yearsof age, William accompanied 
his uncle, Maj. .John Dougherty, to the mountains, 
as the latter was much interested in Indian trad- 
ing; this resulted in young Dougherty spending 
four years with the savages of the Far AVest. He 
returned to Pike Count}', Mo., in 1840, and in 
1844 he began the study of medicine under Drs. 
Lane and Rodman, of Trimble Countj', K3'.; after 
which he returned to Pike County, where he fin- 
ally completed his private studies, subsequently 
entering the medical department of the University' 
of Louisville, Ky., where he took a regular medi- 
cal course. In the spring of 1845, he located at 
Madison, Ind., and there engaged in the practice 
of his profession for some j'ears. He married Miss 
Hannah C. Dougherty, daughter of Col. Robert S. 
Dougherty, a second cousin of iiis father. Two 
3'ears later Dr. Dougherty removed to Orange 
County, Ind., where he remained three years; and 
at this place Mrs. Doughert}' died, leaving one 
child, which survived its mother only a few 
months. In 1850 he married Miss Mary A., daugh- 
ter of John Erazer. 

In the same year Dr. Dougherty and wife re- 
moved to Missouri, slopping a short time at St. Jo- 
seph, but later moving to Liberty, where the Doc- 
tor entered into liis practice, and soon became well 
known and successful. During the administration 
of James Buchanan he was Postmaster at latan, 
Platte County, and in later years served as Ma3'or 
of the city of Liberty. In 1878, he was nomina- 
ted for the Legislature; and this was followed by 
his election by a large majority. He took an .ac- 



tive part in .all the discussions of public questions, 
and worked hard to establish a State Board of 
Health, besides doing good service on several im- 
portant committees of which he was a member. 
By his second wife he reared a family of five chil- 
dren, as follows: Ella, wife of John D. Sliare, of 
AVellington, Kan.; Mattie, wifeof William II. Mar- 
tin, a successful lawyer of Bedford, Ind.; William 
W., Jr., a prominent merchant; Charles L., an at- 
torney-at-law; and Minnie, who died in 1873. 
The death of Dr. Dougherty occurred December 
27, 1890, and was attended with some sad circum- 
stances. He had been in attendance upon a Ma- 
sonic banquet, which was held in celebration of 
the fiftieth anniversary of the Masonic lodge in 
Liberty, and expired suddenly of heart trouble 
while on his way home. He was a member of the 
Clay County Medical Society, of the Missouri 
State Medical Association, and Vice-President of 
the Clay Count}' Board of Health. Mrs. Dough- 
erty is still living and m.akes her home in the citj' 
of Liberty. Both she and the Doctor had lone 
been members of the Methodist J^piscopal Church 
South, and she continues her relations with that 
body. 

John Dougherty is tlie third child of the family. 
He passed his youth in Liberty, attending the pub- 
lic schools, later entering William Jewell College, 
at Liberty. After finishing his course here, he be- 
gan the study of law with William H. Martin, of 
Paoli, Ind., and was admitted to the Bar in 1879. 
In 1880, he returned to Liberty, was admitted to 
practice, and was here made City Attorney, which 
office he held five years by re-elections. During 
this time he was also engaged in literary pursuits, 
for three years being the editor of the Liberty Trib- 
une. However, his law practice began to demand 
all of his attention, and resulted in his selling his 
interest in the Tribune in order to devote his en- 
tire time to his practice. Soon after, he was elected 
Prosecuting Attorney by the Democratic part\', 
for a term of two j'earg. In 1890, he was re- 
elected, and in July, 1892, was nominated and 
elected for the third term to the same office. All 
these years he h.as kept up a large civil practice. 
May 24, 1882, Mr. Dougherty was married to Miss 
Annie D. Park, of Liberty, Mo., daughter of J. J. 



420 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Park, of Platte County, a prominent farmer and 
stock-)-aiser. Mr. and Mrs. Dougherty have two 
little daughters, M. Bessie and Flora. Mrs. Dough- 
erty is a devout member of the Presbyterian 
Church, and a prominent and active worker in re- 
ligious organization, and is a talented and ac- 
complished musician. Mr. Dougherty is a prominent 
member of the Masonic order, being a Knight 
Templar, and also belongs to tlie Knights of Pyth- 
ias. He takes an active part in local, county and 
State politics, alfiliatmg with the Democrats. Hia 
fine residence on Water Street is modern in archi- 
tecture, with lieauliful and well-arranged sur- 
roundings. 



yMLLIAM CHRISMAN, our subject, is the 
only survivor of his father's famil}', and 
^ „ the sole heir to a very large estate. Quite 
a young man, he has therefore not passed through 
many experiences, as have many pioneers of Mis- 
souri; yet he h.as in him the elements of worthy 
manhood and the promise of a bright future. Mr. 
Chrisman, who lives at Liberty, was born in Clay 
Count}', Mo., seven miles north of Liberty, in 
Kearney Township, November 4, 1861, the 
eldest son of John Chrisman, a native of Ken- 
tuck}', who was born at Frankfort in 1825. The 
latter, who died in Kansas City in 188',t, leaving a 
large estate, was a son of .Joseph Chrisman, also a 
native of Kentucky. 

The mother of our subject was Maria Petty, a 
native of Virginia, and a daughter of James 
Petty. In 1848 John Chrisman, the father of our 
subject, removed his family to Clay County, 
where he settled upon a farm and invested largely 
in mules, which he found a very profitable occupa- 
tion. He removed to Libert}' in 1862, where he 
lived and looked after his business interests until 
188.3, when he went to Kan3as City and invested a 
very large amount of money, and there spent the 
remainder of his days. 

Jolin C'hrisman was a man of acute judgment 
and displayed rare skill in making in vestments, in 



none of which did he ever fail to realize profit. 
His wife, who died at Liberty in 1872, was a 
woman of excellent taste and was possessed of 
noble qualities that won her hosts of friends. Of 
the four cliildren she bore her husband, our sub- 
ject alone survives. The deceased children were: 
Hattie, who died when twenty-three years old; 
Kate, who married Frank Warnall, of Kansas City, 
and died in 1888; and Leon, who p.assed away in 
186'J, in his sixth year. 

The youth of our subject was passed in Liberty, 
in attendance upon the common schools; after 
which he pursued his studies in William Jew- 
ell College for a period of five years. On 
leaving college he bought an interest in the cattle 
business in Indian Territory. Returning to Lib- 
erty, he assisted his father, who was then do- 
ing a real-estate business, and afterward took an 
interest with him, and later with Henry Smith, of 
Kansas City. Our subject was married in June, 
1889, to Miss Anna, daughter of Ambrose and 
Louisa Pescia, of Clay County, Mo., her parents 
being of French descent. 



!f,EORGE C. HILL, the present City Clerk of 
Meadville, Linn County, is editor and 
proprietor of the Messenger, published at 
that point. Since his early youth, he has been 
ambitious to occupy a prominent place in news- 
paper work and it is only just to him to say that 
he lias amply accomplished his resolution in that 
respect. Though born since the close of the war, 
he has already acquired an enviable position 
among the leading editors of the county and State, 
and his future is one of great promise. 

Mr. Hill is a son of the Rev. E. C. and Jennie 
(Delamater) Hill, who are both natives of Cat- 
taragus County, N. Y. On the paternal side, Mrs. 
Hill is descended from the old French Delamater 
family. During the Civil War, Mr. Hill was a mem- 
ber of the medical department, in wliich he served 
during the entire contlict. At present he is a 



->' 





Sa^\uelTarwater. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



423 



pharmacist and Postmaster in Kendrick, Idalio. 
For seveit years lie was a minister of the English 
Church, preaching for some years in Linn County. 
At the age of seventeen years, he commenced 
teaching and held tlie principalship in several 
schools in Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska. He is still 
actively engaged in church work and is much in- 
terested in educational matters. Our subject is 
one of nine children, only five of whom survive. 
The others are William E., Bertha May, Arthur D. 
and Orange Kingsley. 

George C. Hill was born on the loth of July, 
1865, in IMemphis, Tenn., where his father was en- 
gaged in the drug business. He received a good 
common-school education and was assisted in his 
studies by his father, who had been a teacher. 
When quite young, he started out in the world to 
make his way, commencing in 1880 as a printer in 
a small office of his own at Brighton, 111. Later 
he went to Talmage, Neb., where he took a place 
on the Tribune. He worked in that office and witlr 
the Omaha Herald, in the job department, where 
he received a thorough and practical experience. 
For a time he took a case at S3'racuse, Neb., and in 
188G arrived in Kidder, where he started a paper 
called the Kidder Optic, which is still in existence. 
He then operated the Caldirell Coimty Sentinel, af- 
ter which he purchased the Messenger, which he is 
still conducting. This paper is published weeklj-, 
consists of six pages, of five columns each, which is 
all home print, and contains the latest local news 
and foreign intelligence. The editorials are bright 
and intellectual reviews of important occurrences 
and questions of moment. Mr. Hill has a very 
fine job office for general and fancj' printing and 
has a pleasant, homelike sanctum. 

In 1888, Mr. Hill and Miss Lizzie Kodgcrs were 
united in marriage. The lady was born in Kidder, 
Mo., and is a daughter of William Rodgers, now 
deceased. Mrs. Hill was graduated from the Kid- 
der Institute, formerly known as Thayer College. 
She is a musician, being particularly proficient 
upon the organ. To our subject and wife have 
been born two daughters, bright and charming lit- 
tle girls, who are Eva Jlay and Sarah. 

Mr. Hill is a Republican, politically, but his 
paper is iiiil('|i(Mident. He feels the iPsi)onsiI)ility 



devolving upon him asj an editor in moulding 
public sentiment and opinion, and tries conscienti- 
ously to make the Messenger an oracle of truth and 
wisdom. Mr. Hill takes an active part in all that 
pertains to the prosperity of the town and has 
served his fellow-citizens as Alderman. He is a 
member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 
in which he is Noble Grand. He is also a mem- 
ber of the Knights of Pythias. Both he and his 
estimable wife are members of the Congregational 
Church and in the Sunday-school they are botli 
teachers. 



(^^ AMUEL TARWATER, residing on section 
^§s^ 15, township 51, range 29, Ray Countv, 
^/Jf! was born in Tennessee in 1806. His father, 
Jacob Tar water, was a native of Germany 
and emigrated to America at an earlj' day. He 
was a farmer by occupation and wedded Miss Sa- 
rah Rowland, of Tennessee, by whom he had eight 
children. Our subject is the fifth in order of birth 
and is the only surviving member of the family 
with the exception of two sisters. Nancy, Mrs. 
Clack, is now nearly' one hundred years old; Jemi- 
mah, wife of Alfred Jackson, residing in Rosedale, 
Atchison County, Mo., has also attained a good old 
age. 

The educational privileges of Samuel Tarwater 
were very limited. His father entered tlie tract 
of land now owned by Rife &. Stoffard, and both 
worked hard to clear and improve the property. 
He assisted his father until arriving at mature 
years, when he married Miss Polly Broadhurst, by 
whom he had eight children, two only now living: 
John; and Rebecca, wife of John Moore. Losing 
his wife, Mr. Tarwater afterward married Betsey 
(Lewis) Offatt, widow of Samuel Offatt, a member 
of an old Southern famil3', and by their union were 
born three children, as follows: Willis, born April 
9, 1854; Millie M., now Mrs. Hawk, whose birth 
occurred February 9, 1859; and Harriet C, now 
Mrs. Scott, born February 7, 1861. The mother of 
these (liildrcii died soon after the close of the war. 



424 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Later Mr. Tarwater espoused Mrs. Sarah Ann 
(Kinse}') JNIills, of Tennessee. To her was born a 
son, Chesley K., November 9, 1874, and in that 
same year the mother was called from this Ufe. 

After the death of JNIrs. Sarah Tarwater, our 
subject was married to Malinda Brown, who sur- 
vived but a few years. He then married INIary 
Ann, the widow of Henry Scott, who has also de- 
parted this life. Willis F., the son of his second 
marriage, is now carrying on his fatlier's farm and 
has for a number of years assumed the responsibil- 
ity of the place. Januar}" 14, 1877, he was united 
in marriage with Miss Emma, daughter of Joseph 
Ray. Their union has been blessed with five chil- 
dren, three of whom died in infancy. Those living 
arc: Ernest D., born October 10,1881; and Luther 
F., born September 4, 1883. Our subject has thirty- 
seven grandchildren and a number of great-grand- 
children. 

Politically, Mr. Tarwater is a Democrat, as is 
also his son Willis. They are also both members of 
the Missionarj^ Baptist Church. In the Mormon 
War our subject took an active part and with a 
Mr. Clark was left for dead on the field of battle. 
He bears a number of scars, having had his throat 
cut from ear to ear and sustaining severe scalp 
wounds, as well as having had his lower jaw 
broken and several teeth. Although the snows of 
many winters have fallen upon his venerable liead, 
yet he retains to a wonderful degree his mental 
and ph^'sical faculties and truly says, "God has 
been a;ood to me." 



culturist and successful stock-raiser, resides 
^^ % on one of the best farms of Linn County', 
^@! Mo., and for seventeen years has been lo- 
cated upon section 30, township 57, range 19, im- 
mediately adjacent to the flourishing town of Brook- 
field. Our subject was born at Cato, Ca3Uga 
County, N. Y., October 26, 1819. His parents, 
Reuben A. and Lydia (Ingram) Blossom, werebotii 
natives of Massachusetts, and descendants of the 



best families of the Old lia.y State. The paternal 
grandfather was a prominent citizen of New Eng- 
land, and Enos Ingram, the maternal grandfather, 
was at one time the honored Secretary of State. 
Reuben Blossom, after a life of busy usefulness, 
passed away near Oswego, N. Y., in March, 1857. 
Mrs. Lydia Blossom came to Brookfield, Mo., in 
18(55, and resided with her son, G. N. Blossom, 
until her death, March 20, 1877. 

Our subject received a good education in an 
academy at Mexicoville, N. Y., and when about 
fourteen years of age went to Syracuse and en- 
gaged as a clerk in a dry-goods store. Before at- 
taining his majority, he enterprisingly embarked 
in business for himself, and prosperously con- 
tinued in the same until 1844, when he removed 
to New York City, there conducting a wholesale 
clothing and dry-goods business until 1876. In 
the meantime Mr. Blossom made frequent trips 
through the South and West, visiting Slissouri, 
Arkansas, Iowa, Wisconsin and other States, and in 
sparsel3' settled localities was often obliged to camp 
out of doors all night. In 1876 our subject came 
to Brookfield, and the next 3'ear settled upon a 
farm about one mile north of the city. In 1886 he 
purchased his present fine farm of one hundred and 
sixty acres, to which he has since given his undi- 
vided attention, engaging in mixed husbandry, 
and has profitably and extensively handled a high 
grade of stock. 

Mr. Blossom was married in 1840 to Miss Ma- 
tilda King, a native of Onondaga County, N. Y. 
This union was blessed by the birth of one child, 
Daisy C, Mrs. F. F. Lewis, of South Evanston, 
111. Mrs. Matilda Blossom died in New York City 
in 1861, and upon December 18, 1862, our subject 
contracted a second marriage, this time with Miss 
Angeline Bunn, of New York City, and a daughter 
of Martin Y. Bunn, a well-known citizen of the Em- 
pire State. Five children have been born unto Mr. 
and Mrs. Blossom: Martin, the eldest, deceased; 
Thomas B.; Reuben S., .Tr.; George N. and Horace 
M. Thomas B. is a business man of Chicago, and 
Reuben S., Jr., is a resident of Kansas City. The 
family are members of the Episcopal Church, and 
are all in tlieir various localities numbered among 
the intluential and leading citizens. Mr. Blossom 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



425 



has been connected willi tlie Episcopal Church for 
fiill\' a half-century, and has occupied the position 
of Warden of tlie Broolvfield Church ever since he 
made liis home here. Fraternally he is associated 
with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and 
is a member of IMt. Nebo Encani[)ment. lie is also 
a member of the Ancient Free & Accepted Ma- 
sons. 

Politically our subject is a strong Democrat, 
and while never an ofticc-seeker, has filled various 
important local positions of trust with efficient fi- 
delity, and is widely known as a man of high prin- 
ciple and sterling integrit}^ of character. His life 
has been one of busy usefulness, and in his daily 
round of official and business cares his native kind- 
liness and genuine worth have won him the hearty 
good-will and best wishes of a large circle of old 
friends and acquaintances. 



eOL. TIIADDEUS J. STAUBER, now retired 
from the active business duties of life, long 
since made for himself a record as an agri- 
culturist, enterprising superintendent of a large 
mining company, and efficient Legislator, and in 
the entire conduct of a long and honorable career, 
he has always been distinguished for his ardent 
patriotism and love of his native land. Born in 
Bellefonte, Centre Count3', Pa., on the 17th of 
April, 1825, our subject is the son of Benjamin and 
Elizabeth (McCord) Stauber. The father was born 
in Salem, Stokes Countj', N. C, where the paternal 
grandfather, Godfrey Stauber, and his brother 
Christian had located soon after their arrival from 
Berlin, Germany. The Stauber brothers, three in 
number, came to America as soldiers under Baron 
Steuben. Christian Stauber and brother fell mor- 
tally wounded at the siege of Charleston, S. C, in 
which battle as well as other engagements Godfrey 
Stauber took part. 

After the Revolutionary War, Grandfather Stau- 
ber became Principal of a Moravian German Acad- 
emy, at Salem, N. C. Benjamin Stauber settled in 



Linn County, Mo., in 1869. but some time after 
died in Topeka, Kan. ]\Irs. Elizabeth Stauber, the 
estimable mother of oursubject, died in Kirksville, 
Mo. .She was born near Lewistown, Pa., and was 
the daughter of Thomas McCord, a brave and 
thrifty Scotchman of high integrity of character. 
This maternal grandfather of our subject and his 
brother James fought with gallantry in the battles 
of the Revolution, actively participating in the 
engagements at Cowpens and Brandywine, and 
was present in numerous fights and skirmishes, and 
shared in the privations and personal sacrifices 
which the hardships of the campaign entailed. 
Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Stauber were the parents 
of the following sons and daughters: Christian G., 
who died in infancy; Thaddeus J., our subject; 
Mary A., deceased; Joseph A., now a resident of 
Linn County; Emma Catherine, Mrs. Smith; John- 
athan M., a druggist of St. Joseph, Mo.; Rachel, 
Mrs. Bobb; Bettie, Mrs. J. Markham; Margaret C, 
Mrs. Hause; and Robert II., the two latt.er de- 
cea.sed. 

Thaddeus J. Stauber may well be ranked among 
the self-made men of his time and century. He 
attended the Lewistown Academy, clerking in 
wholesale and retail hardware and drug houses to 
earn means to further pursue his studies. His par- 
ents had destined him for another line of business, 
but at his earnest solicitation his father, when he 
was fourteen years old, grantetl him his time, and 
he at once began to pursue his studies, and at 
twenty-one j^ears of age became the acting Post- 
master of the town. Our subject also taught 
school several terms, and when twent3--three years 
old went to Martinsburgh, Va., where he engaged 
in farming. In 1858, Col. Stauber located in Mis- 
souri, settling at first in Lincoln County, and the 
next year bought the National Citizen, at Troy, 
which he continued to publish until the breaking 
out of the Civil War, when he enlisted in Hender- 
son's Brigade, and served six months as Commis- 
sary. Col. Stauber then enlisted in the Third Mis- 
souri Cavalry', and had charge of the Secret Service. 
He was mustered out by special order as Provost- 
Marshal. His daily duties in this capacity often 
led him into extreme danger, often averted by his 
clear judgment and presence of mind. 



426 



i'ORTRAlT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



In 1864, our subject aided in organizing the 
Fort^^-second Missouri Infantry, and was commis- 
sioned Lieutenant-Colonel, and had command of 
the regiment until the close of the war. He was 
engaged most of the time in the dangerous task of 
fighting the bushwhackers in Kentucky, Tennessee 
and Alabama, and at Paint Rock Valley, Teun., 
was thrown from the saddle in leaping a ditch, 
receiving injuries from which he has never en- 
tirely recovered. After the war he almost imme- 
diately settled upon his present homestead, located 
on section 24, township 58, range 19, where he has 
since continuously resided. This property, when 
it came into the possession of Col. Stauber, was 
wild land, but now is one of the well-improved 
farms in this part of the State. He and his sons 
own two hundred and forty acres here, and receive 
an excellent income from the productive soil, but 
mainly give their attention to stock-raising. In 
1890, Col. Stauber's residence was destroyed 
by flre, together with most of its valuable con- 
tents, including a library of five hundred vol- 
umes, many of which can never be replaced. He 
has since built a handsome residence on the site of 
the old one, the new house being one of the at- 
tractive and commodious country dwellings in the 
township. The sons of our subject have profitably 
managed the home farm for some length of time. 
For a long period Col. Stauber traveled for a Bos- 
ton coal-mining syndicate, and was for a number 
of j-ears the able Superintendent of the Ft. Scott 
Coal Mining Company. After many years of 
busy usefulness, he has retired from the wearing 
round of care, and finds much enjoyment in the 
society of old friends and neighbors. 

In political affiliations, Col. Stauber is a straight 
He|nil)lican, and in 1869-70 rei)resented his county 
in the House of Representatives, Missouri Legisla- 
ture. As an active, energetic and efficient member 
of important committees, he gave great satisfac- 
tion to his constituents, and distinguished him- 
self by an unvarying course of conscientious fidel- 
ity to the duties intrusted to his care. Fraternally, 
our subject is a valued member of the Grand Army 
of the Republic, and has a fund of interesting and 
thrilling experiences of life during the Civil War, 
when Missouri was the border land and was ravaged 



by not only the opposing parties, but invaded by 
hordes of unprincipled ruffians, who took this op- 
portunity of securing spoils, in many instances 
comparatively unmolested. Col. Stauber is yet an 
active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
and is one of the liberal supporters of that relig- 
ious organization. It is almost two-score of years 
since, upon October 26, 1854, our subject and Miss 
Margaret A. Burwell were united in marriage. 
Mrs. Stauber is a daughter of James and Kancy 
Burwell, of Bunker Hill, Va. Five children blessed 
the pleasant home with their presence: Ralph O. is 
an attorney of St. Joseph; Edward B. is the sec- 
ond son; Nannie is Mrs. Maddox; Mary is a 
teacher at Brookfield; Thomas M. resides at home. 
Edward B. married Miss Delia Warren, of Knapp, 
Wis.; they have one child, Ethel May, and reside 
upon the old homestead. Thus with his family 
within easy distance, and all occupying positions 
of usefulness and influence. Col. Stauber enjoys the 
satisfaction of knowing that he not only devoted 
himself to his country's service, but gives to her 
best citizenship sons and daughters who will 
worthil3' maintain the dignity and honor of the 
true American citizen. 



m>^^<^ 



ICKMAN J. WIGGINTON, one of the 
editors and proprietors of the Linneus 
Bulletin, was born in Boone County, Mo., 
January' 17, 1863. He is the only surviv- 
ing son of Rev. William R. Wigginton, one of the 
best known and inosthighl3' esteemed pioneer min- 
isters of Northern Missouri. More than fifty years 
have come and gone since the Rev. Mr. Wigginton 
first entered upon his ministrations among the scat- 
tered population of Missouri, and unweariedly 
went his rounds in storm and sunshine, ever the 
same faithful friend and pastor. 

Our subject received his primary education in 
the district schools of his home neighborhood in 
Audrain County, Mo. At the age of sixteen he 
moved with his father to Mexico, Mo., where he 
entered the High School, then under the manage- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



427 



nient of Prof. J. P. Blantoii. At tlie completion 
of his course lie was awarded the" Orator's Medal." 
In February of 1888, in partnership with K. .1. 
Conger, he assumed the management of the Linneus 
Bulletin, which popular sheet lias rapidly increased 
iu circulation and lias enjoj'ed a eontiiuious pros- 
perity' seldom- the lot of a county newspaper. For 
five years it has been the official organ of the 
county. It is attractive in typographical appear- 
ance, and aside from its spicy and comprehensive 
editorials, contains much miscellaneous reading 
matter of local and general interest. 

Besides his newspaper work, Mr. Wigginton has 
taken an active part in the local councils of the 
Democratic party. Three times he has been elected 
Chairman of the Linn County Democratic Cen- 
tral Committee, and twice has been made Secre- 
tary of the Congressional Committee of the dis- 
trict, which positions he still holds. He has also 
served upon the Senatorial Committee and was the 
recent Chairman of the Local Democratic Club of 
Liuncus. Constantly engaged in duties which 
necessarily bring him before the public, and with 
a record untarnished by dishonorable word or deed, 
the future lies before him rich in promise, and it 
is safe to predict that in the j'ears to come, as in 
the past, he will at all times and under all circum- 
stances be an earnest and faithful representative 
of true American citizenship. 



'ill AMES PRYOR, a retired agriculturist and 
prominent citizen of Liberty, is a native 
Missourian and was born in Clay County 
September 3, 1847. An cfHcient, energetic 
and resolute man of fine business attainments, iiis 
career as an agriculturist was most successful, and 
by his thoroughly upright course of unvarying 
integrity, he has worthily won the confidence and 
esteem of many friends. His aged father, George 
W. Pryor, was born in Kentuckj' Felnuary 20, 
1804, and emigrating with his wife and large fam- 
ily to Missouri in 18.55, became one of the enter- 
prising pioneer settlers of Clay County, wiiere he 



entered with ambitious industry into the pursuit 
of farming and was a prominent factor in the pro- 
moti(m of the growing interests of liis home local- 
ity. Deprived in later years by the death of his 
beloved wife, he now resides with his children, who 
give to him the tender care needed in his declin- 
ing j'ears. Our subject was reared upon his fa- 
ther's farm and early entered into the daily round 
of duties entailed by agricultural life. lie worked 
upon the farm during the busy seasons, and during 
the winter months attended the district school of 
the neighborhood. 

Mr. Pryor remained upon the familv homestead 
until twenty years of age and then began to work 
for himself. About the date he attained his ma- 
jority he was united in marriage with Miss Ruth, 
a daughter of Logan and Malinda Darb}^, of Clay 
Count}^ a lady of superior worth and accomplish- 
ments, who as a wife and mother has devoted her- 
self to the comfort and happiness of her husband 
and the children who have blessed her home. Our 
subject and his estimable wife soon after their mar- 
riage located upon a farm of one hundred and 
twenty acres, but after spending a few years there 
removed to the present homestead of one hundred 
and sixty acres, which have been brought under a 
high state of cuitivatiop and are finely improved 
with a comfortable and commodious residence, 
good barns and sheds, and taken all in all, this 
is one of the most attractive country homes in the 
county. Upon this pleasant place the family have 
resided until recentl}', when they settled in a fine 
home in Liberty, where the father and mother en- 
joj' the rest from, the actual supervision the vari- 
ous duties of daily life have so long demanded. 
Mr. and Mrs. Pryor are the parents of two chil- 
dren, bright, ambitious and enterprising sons. 

Walter Pryor, the eldest born of the brothers, 
has received an excellent education, and fully 
armed for the battle of life enters with zeal into 
the duties of agriculture. He now manages the 
homestead, which our subject from affection and 
force of habit viSits almost every dav, assisting 
with his advice and not infrequently actively par- 
ticipating in the labors of the hour. Jlr. Walter 
Pryor has an excellent housekeeper and a delight- 
ful conipanioii who shares his joys and sorrows, 



428 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Mrs. Artie (Groom) Prjor, a native of Clay 
County and a finely educated lady. It is but 
comparatively a brief time since AValter Pryor 
took unto himself this young and charming wife, 
who with himself is the recipient of the best wishes 
of a host of friends. Eugene, the second son of our 
subject, is completing his education in the Normal 
School at Winchester, Tenn., and, a manly youth 
of high intelligence and sterling integrity, has a 
future of influence and usefulness before him. 
Financially prospered, and happy in his domestic 
relations, Mr. Pryor does not forget the duty he 
owes his country as a true and loyal citizen, but 
gives his earnest consideration to the questions of 
the day, and, well posted in local and national af- 
fairs, supports the principles of Democracy and 
votes in the interest of the party which since the 
daj-s of the great statesman, Thomas Jefferson, lias 
held fast to the precepts then instilled into the 
hearts and souls of the American opponents of an 
un-Ainei ican aristocracy'. 

^^^ ALVIN C. BINGHAM, who resides in his 
(ll beautiful home one and a-half miles east 

'^^'J of Browning, on section 29, township 60, 
range 20, is one of the early settlers and repre- 
sentative men of Linn County. Besides general 
farming he takes special interest in the breeding 
of line-grade Aberdeen cattle. 

Mr. Bingham was born in Tennessee March 7, 
1834, and is a son of William and Mary (Hoover) 
Bingham, natives of Tennessee. The father emi- 
grated to Missouri in 1840, and for many years en- 
gaged in farming in Sullivan County. Our sub- 
ject is one of fifteen children, of whom twelve are 
sons. Those living are as follows: Jacob, Samuel, 
William and James, the two latter of whom are 
farmers in Sullivan County'; Benjamin, Thomas, 
Leonard, and Elizabeth, who is married and is a 
resident of Carroll Countj'. When twenty-two 
years of age our subject entered land, the identical 
tract he now occupies, at seventy-five cents per 
acre, which he has since improved until its value 
is estimated to be from •13.5 to 1*40 per acre. 



In 1856 Mr. Bingham was married to Miss Sarah 
Jones, a native of the Buckeye State. Their union 
has been blessed with three children, a son and two 
daughters, as follows: Cecil A.; Elaxina, who 
married I. E. Winters, and is now making her 
home in Winigan, Sullivan County; and Orissa, 
the eldest of the family, now the wife of Dr. J. B. 
Robinson, of Harris, Sullivan County. Mr. Bing- 
ham is a member of Christ Church, as is also his 
wife and children. Politically, he is a stanch ally 
of the Democratic party, and, though taking an 
active interest in local and political affairs, has 
never desired ollicial recognition, preferring to 
give his exclusive time to his business interests. 



\JI OSEPII S. HUGHES, banker and the enter- 
prising and prosperous President of the 
Richmond Coal Company, is a representa- 
tive American citizen, able, energetic and 
progressive, and has been one of the material fac- 
tors in the development of the varied resources of 
the State and county. Our subject is a native of 
Jessamine County, Ky., and was born Januai-}- 11, 
1820. Great-grandfather Hughes was of Welsh 
descent and early in the historj' of our country 
settled in the eastern part of Maryland. Grand- 
father Joseph Hughes married Miss Sarah Swann 
before the War of the Revolution, and afterward 
engaged bravely in the struggle for independence. 
In 1777, he removed to Pennsylvania and settled 
in the old Redstone Fort, now Brownsville, on the 
Monongahela River, where John Hughes, tlie father 
of our subject, was born November 26,1777. In 
1779 the family removed to Bryant's Station, Ky., 
and remained there some years. 

During the War of 1812 both the father and 
maternal grandfather, Samuel Berry, fought under 
Gen. Harrison, and after the troubles with the In- 
dians were at an end, John Hughes and his family 
located in Jessamine County, Ky.,and in 1822 re- 
moved to Missouri. At this time our subject was 
but two years old and grew up on his father's 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, 



429 



farm, meantime attending the primitive district 
sciiool of lliose early days. Wiieii lie was eighteen 
j'ears old lie came to Richmond and in 1838 en- 
gaged as a salesman in a dr3-goods house and re- 
mained in the capacity of a clerk until 1844, when 
he started in the mercantile business for himself. 
Active, energetic and industrious, he successfully 
conducted the business alone until 1849, when he 
received into partnership George I. AVasson, the 
wide!}' known firm of Hughes & Wasson profitably 
continuing in tiie handling of merchandise until 
1859. 

March 1, 1856, Mr. Hughes was elected Ser-re- 
tar}' of the Richmond Insurance Company and 
efflciently engaged in the responsible duties of the 
position until June 23, 1859, when he was made 
Cashier of the branch of the Union Bank located 
in Richmond and continued to serve in this offi- 
cial capacity until the national banking law sup- 
planted the State banks. The parent bank, or- 
ganized under the national banking law, virtually 
closed the branches, and on the 1st of January, 
1866, our subject and George I. Wasson became 
the purchasers of the assets of the Richmond 
Branch Bank and organized a private banking 
house under the name of Hughes tt Wasson, which 
partnership prosperousl}' continued for a half-score 
of years, when, in 1877, Mr. Wasson sold his inter- 
est to James Hughes and his son Burnett Hughes. 
Joseph .S. Hughes is the President of the flourish- 
ing banking house of J. S. Hughes ife Co., incor- 
porated under the laws of the State of Missouri. 

In 1869, wiien the St. Louis & St. Joseph Rail- 
road, afterward the St. Joseph Branch of the Wa- 
bash, St. Louis & Pacific, now owned by the Santa 
Fe, vvas completed to Richmond, Joseph S. Hughes, 
John Gibson and William Wilson commenced 
sinking a shaft for the purpose of developing the 
coal interests in the vicinity of Richmond. The 
mining venture was a successful one and the hard 
work and determined energy of the owners of the 
valuable mines have rapidly extended the business 
until it has assumed a magnitude ranking it among 
the most prominent coal-mining enterprises of 
Missouri. The name was subsequently changed to 
the Richmond Coal Company, and it now operates 
six mines and eniplo\s constant^- from four to 



six hundred men. In 1887, the Richmond Coal 
Company was organized, and as one of its chief 
l)r()moters and in acknowledgment of his valuable 
executive ability, Mr. Hughes was elected Presi- 
dent of the prosperous organization. 

October 2, 1844, our subject and Miss Ann 
Laura Hughes were united in marriage. Mrs. 
Hughes was the step-daughter of the late Maj. 
John H. IMorehead, of Richmond, Mo. Mr. and 
Mrs. Hughes are the parents of six children, four 
sons and two daughters. Their eldest son, George 
A., is book-keeper in the banking house of J. S. 
Hughes ik Co., and is interested with his father in 
the Richmond Coal Mines; Charles B. is also finan- 
cially interested in the bank and mines; Martha S. 
is the wife of James M. Ferguson, business manager 
of the coal company; Mary E. was a student at 
Christian College, Columbia, Mo., and is the wife 
of W. W. Knight, of St. Joseph, Mo.; Robert B. 
died October 5, 1890; and John assists in the bank 
and coal office. Mr. Hughes has long been num- 
bered among the most prominent and influential 
citizens of Missouri and having ever been associated 
with the progress and advancement of the best in- 
terests of the State, is widely known and highly 
respected. In the advancing evening of his da3S 
our subject has the assured consciousness that he 
has almost unaided won his upward way, and that 
both he and his childien occup}' positions of re- 
spect and influence. Mr. Hughes and his wife and 
daughters are members of the Christian Church, 
and in politics he has always been a stanch Demo- 
crat. 



•^^• 



«#> 



"ifiOSEPH SCOTT CARLYLE. To provide 
for the wants of the inner man is to get 
close to his better nature. Much as human- 
ity is inclined to carp at the weakness of 
the flesh, it is none the less true that a wife who is 
a good cook is in no danger of having her husband 
desert her, as good cookeiy conduces to long life 
and good health, as well as to creature comfort. 
Our subject is a typical host, who cares for the 
stomachs of travelers and provides them witli 



430 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



lodgings, and tlie good name of the Yibbard 
House is extended over considerable territory. He 
is a good provider and his guests are his warm 
friends. 

Mr. Carlyle was born in Hampshire Count}', W. 
Va., January 9, 1833. At the ago of eleven, he 
came to Missouri witli his ^)areuts. His father, 
Robert Carl3'le, located in La Fayette County, 
where he engaged in farming upon a tract of land 
he purchased, and there he died nine years after- 
ward. His wife was Elizabeth (McCauley) Carlyle, 
and she was born and reared in West Virginia. She 
bore her husband twelve children, four of whom 
are living, namely: Ellen, wife of Ira Green, of 
Johnson County, Tex.; Margaret, wife of Henry 
Campbell, of La Fay^^e County, Mo.; Mary,widow 
of Addison Hook, living in Cass County; and our 
subject. The father followed farming all his life, 
and was a Captain in the Florida War. 

Our subject remained on the farm until the 
death of his motiier, who survived the father but 
eight months, when he drove a team across the 
plains to Salt Lake City in 1853-.54. Upon his 
return he engaged in farming in La Fayette County, 
Mo., for two years, then removed to Jackson 
County, Mo. January 8, 1857, he married Miss 
Plenella, daughter of James Page, a farmer of Ray 
County. She bore him several children, as follows: 
Emma, wife of Dr. William Harwood, of Vibbard; 
and Jenny, whoisat home. Three are dead: Eliza- 
beth, who married Robert Lee, and died January 
26, 1891, leaving three children to console her hus- 
band; and two who died in infancy. After mar- 
riage, our subject remained where he was two 
years, and then he removed to Ray County and 
bought a farm, upon which he settled and remained 
for about twenty years, at the expiration of which 
time, in March, 1884, he came to Vibbard and en- 
gaged in the business which lie has followed ever 
since. 

For years Mr. Carlyle has been a Steward and 
an Elder in the Christian Union Church, of which 
he has been a member for years in the church of 
Pleasant Valley. He has been identified with the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, but is not now 
actively connected with that society. PoliticalU', 
he atniiates witli the Democratic party, with which 



he uniformly votes. At one time he was elected 
Constable and served acceptably in that capacity. 
The "\'ibbard House is a quiet, homelike place, 
where the traveling public is cordially welcome, 
and the most earnest efforts are put forth to make 
comfortable all who may stop there. It is a clean, 
neat and attractive hotel, and the food is pre- 
pared and served in such a manner as to make it 
most tempting to the appetite. 



,p^ AMUEL C. DAVIS. A worthy man who 
^^^ has filled the station of life to which 
\\\^~J)j he has been called with earnestness, our 
subject has gathered to himself a large 
number of attached friends, who have confidence 
in liis honesty and uprightness. Mr. Davis was 
born November 26, 1836, near Richmond, Mo., a 
son of Edward R. and Martha P. (Haynes) Davis, 
both pioneers of Ray County, the father a son of 
Samuel Davis, a native of Wales who came to the 
United States, settled in Tennessee and married 
there. 

In the-last named State, the father of our sub- 
ject was born and received a common-school edu- 
cation. He was reared to the occupation of a 
farmer and remained at home until of age. AVhen 
about twenty-two years of age he came to Ray 
County and taught school, he having been a stu- 
dious youth and possessed of qualities which fitted 
him for that profession. Soon after settling in 
Missouri he was married, his wife being a daugh- 
ter of Joseph and Sarah Haynes. His first invest- 
ment of land was a small tract, followed bj' a pur- 
chase of Government land, and accumulations from 
time to time until he had acquired three hundred 
and eighty acres in all. At the time of his death 
in 1845, he was an old-line Whig, as he had been 
since the origin of that part}'. Plis wife is living 
in Texas, a widow, having twice been married 
since his death. 

Our subject is the only survivor of three sons, 
his two brothers, James and John, having both 
been killed in the Confederate arm}', the former in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



431 



Georgia and tlie latter at Vickshurg. Our subject 
began farming for himself at the age of eighteen, 
going out by the month. At the age of twenty, 
he married and rented a farm for one year, when 
he came into possession of the farm left him by his 
father, located in township 52, range 27. His wife 
was Sophronia, daughter of Nathan and Ann (Mc- 
Christian) Schooler, and a native of Ray County. 
Mrs. Davis' father was a native of Virginia, and 
her mother of Tennessee, and both were pioneers 
of Rny County. The mother of Mrs. Davis died 
when she was only eleven j-ears of age. 

Six children have blessed the union of Mr. and 
Mrs. Davis, viz: Belle, wife of Millard Hill; Ed- 
ward R., who married Alma Frazier; Martha A., 
Bennie, Maggie and Foster, all of whom have re- 
ceived educational advantages in Ra_y County. 
Maggie is a teacher in an adjoining county, and 
Foster is attending the schools of Richmond. In 
politics our subject is a Democrat and has always 
been attaciied to that party. In 1888 he was 
chosen to take charge of the Ray Count}' Poor 
Farm, which position he has filled ever since, and 
much credit is due him for the business methods 
he has introduced in its management and for the 
Christian kindness he displays in the treatment of 
the unfortunates eonlidcd to his keeping. 



=^=0, 



lENJAMIN H. SMITH is the Recorder of 
Chariton County, and a resident of Keytes- 
K'^JIfi ville, the county seat. He was born in Car- 
^h^y J.Q11 County, Mo., January 21, 1853, and is 
the son of Dr. E. B. Smith, now of Triplett, this 
county. The latter was born in Kentucky and 
when a small boy removed with his parents to In- 
diana. On reaching mature years, lie removed to 
Howard Count}-, Mo., where he engaged in the 
study of medicine under the tutorship of his fa- 
ther. He there married Miss Frances, daughter of 
Howard Shipp, a prominent farmer and earl}' set- 
tler of Howard County. After his marriage, the 
Doctor went to Carroll County, where he engaged 



in farming in connection with professional prac- 
tice. In tlie spring of 1865, going to Illinois, he 
engaged in practice for one year in that State. 
About tlie year 1867, he i-eturned to this State, lo- 
cating at Triplett, Cliariton County, where he still 
resides. His family comprised four children, three 
of whom are living: James A. and Mrs. J. 
Hooper, who both reside at Triplett, and our sub- 
ject. Virginia Beall, now deceased, was the wife 
of Clark Harper. 

Until twelve years of age, Benjamin II. Smith 
lived on his father's farm in Carroll County, after 
which he spent one year in Illinois, returning to 
this State with his parents. He received a good 
education and was for two years a student in the 
Kirksville Normal, in the citj' of that name. On 
leaving school, he engaged in teaching in Ray 
and Chariton Counties for six successive years, 
and was very successful in that calling. 

On the 13th of October, 1880, Mr. Smith was 
married to Miss Anna Lizzie Crockett. Her father, 
A. J. Crockett, is a prominent farmer of this 
county. Mrs. Smith departed this life October 26, 
1881. Some time later, in 1890, Mr. Smith n^ar- 
ried his present wife, who was Miss Mattie Barlow. 
By this union our subject and his wife are blessed 
with a daughter, Bcunetta F., born January 11, 
1892. Mrs. Smith's father, J. G. Bartow, is a farmer 
and stock-raiser, and is now the President of the 
Farmers' Bank at Triplett, Mo. In 1880, Mr. Smith 
embarked in the sawmill business, which he ran for 
three years. He then entered the hardware trade 
at Triplett, Mo. In 1886, he ran for the office of 
Recorder of Chariton County and was defeated by 
sevent}'-seven votes in the Democratic primary 
convention, B. F. Crowley being the successful 
candidate. Four years later, Mr. Smith again en- 
tered the race for the same office, receiving the 
nomination by three hundred majority, and being 
elected by sixteen hundred majority. He entered 
upon his official duties .January 1, 1891, and has 
proven himself to be etUcient and thorouglil}' reli- 
able. 

A member of the Christian Church, our subject 
has been very active in its various departments of 
work. He was Deacon in the church and Superin- 
tendent of the Sunday-school at Triplett, where he 



432 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



fonnerlj- resided. He is a member of the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, the Ancient Free 
& Accepted Slasons, and is a Knight of Pjthias. 
He is a loyal supporter of the Deinoci-atic part}' 
and takes a leading part in forwarding its inter- 
ests. 



<*? S. BRUNER. Prominent in the social and 
I (^ agricultural circles of Chariton County, 
JL^ ]yio.^ and eminently worthy of mention, is L. 
S. Bruner, who is of English descent, and who has 
inherited many of the worthy characteristics of 
that people, among which ma}' be mentioned sturd}' 
perseverance. Although the county has its full 
([uota of vigorous, enterprising and thorough-going 
business men, whose popularity is based upon their 
social qualities and their well-known integrity and 
business activity, none of these is better liked by 
those who have business dealings with him than 
Mr. Bruner. His father, Jacob Bruner, was a Vir- 
ginian, who became a resident of Saline Count}', 
Mo., in early life, where he purchased a tract of 
land, which he subsequently sold. Later he re- 
moved to Boone Count}', and about 1839 to Chari- 
ton County, settling in the vicinity of Brunswick. 
While in Boone County, he took for his compan- 
ion through lifq Miss Sarah Colvin, whose father 
was John Colvin, and to their union the following 
children were given: Sarah (deceased) became the 
wife of T. P. Knight, of this county; John, who 
resides on the old homestead east of Brunswick; 
L. S., whose name heads this sketch; Eliza (de- 
ceased) married T. P. Knight; Mildred is the 
widow of Charles Fleetwood, of this county; Jacob 
resides near Brunswick; and Calhoun is a resident 
of Johnson County, Mo. The father of these chil- 
dren was called from life in 1846, but his widow 
survives liim at the age of seventy-seven years, 
and makes her home with her son, L. S. Bruner. 

The subject of this sketch was born two miles 
east of Brunswick, in this county, February 16, 
1840, his early life being spent in the usual manner 
of the farmer's boy — that is, he assisted his father 
on the farm during the summer months and at- 



tended the district schools in the winter. At the 
age of about seventeen or eighteen years he left 
home and began to fight the battle of life for him- 
self, and for six months thereafter worked as a 
farm laborer, receiving as compensation about |12 
per month. At the end of this time he returned 
home, and after a short attendance at school he be- 
gan working for others at farm labor, his compen- 
sation being a portion of the crops he raised. In 
this manner he continued to labor until his mar- 
riage, in 1862. He was a Southern sympathizer 
during the war, and when Gen. Price made his last 
raid through Missouri he joined the ranks of that 
dashing cavalry leader and was subsequently cap- 
tured by the Federals on White River, Ark., and 
sent as a prisoner to Rock Island, where he was 
detained four months, being released just before 
Lee's surrender. 

Soon after the celebration of his nuptials, he 
purchased and moved upon a tract of eighty acres, 
which he has since greatly improved in every way, 
and especially in the way of comfortable and nec- 
essary farm buildings, and to which he has added 
one hundred and sixty acres on the north and 
sixty-five acres of bottom land six miles away. 
Everything about his place indicates that a man 
of intelligence is at the helm, and that he thor- 
oughly understands every detail of his calling can 
but be acknowledged. Like many other boys, he 
was an ambitious youth and left home to make his 
own way in the world, and owing to his own in- 
dustry, frugality and push accumulated his present 
property and has a pleasant and pretty home in 
sight of the village of Triplett. In addition to 
his farming operations, he has for many years 
been engaged in feeding and selling stock, which 
has proved to be a profitable source of revenue. 

Although our subject has always voted the Dem- 
ocratic ticket, the political arena has had no charms 
for him and, like a sens'ble man as he is, he has 
given his undivided attention to his farm. Miss 
Gertrude McAllister, a daughter of Joseph and 
Elizabeth McAllister, of this county, became his 
wife, and to their union these children have been 
given: Joseph, a resident of Oklah(jma; Montford, 
a resident of the State of Washington; Lillie; Lo- 
gan; Maud and Grover Cleveland, the Last two be- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



433 



ing still at home. William died in 1884, at the age 
of twenty-one j'ears; and Charlotte, September 12, 
1890, at the age of twenty-four years. The mother 
of these children was called from life November 
11, 1889. She had been ill for some time prior to 
her death, her sickness finally resulting in consump- 
tion. Under the care of her daughter Charlotte, 
Mr. Bruner sent her from home to see if change of 
air and locality would not benefit her, but in spite 
of all the medical skill, and the loving care that 
was lavished upon her b^' her husband and chil- 
dren, she succumbed to the Grim Destroyer, and in 
compliance with her wish she was brought home, 
where she breathed her last five daj's later. She 
was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
South, which she had joined at the age of seven- 
teen, and throughout her life she "kept the faith." 
In disposition, she was amiable, kind and affection- 
ate, a noble wife and mother, and her loss was 
deeply' mourned by her sorrowing family. On the 
12th of the following September (1890) another 
affliction fell upon the family in the loss of Char- 
lotte, who had been the faithful companion of her 
mother's last daj'S, her death also resulting from 
consumption. They no»v sleep side by side in the 
McCuUough burying-ground near Triplett. The 
daughter was also a wortliy member of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church South, as is Mr. Bruner. 



¥.7. VAUGHN. In tracing the origin of 
architecture, the student soon finds that 
there is no art more nearly founded upon 
and emanating from nature in its highest and no- 
blest forms than this branch. Kuskin has told us 
that even the leaded windows in the grand Gothic 
cathedrals of Central Euroiie were suggested to 
their originator by interlaced branches of trees 
laid against a glowing sky. It is so noble an art 
that he who masters it must rise to noble heights, 
disiilaying the best elements of a rich and tal- 
ented nature. Among these noblemen artists is 
numbered Mr. W. J. Vaughn, who, located at Car- 
rollton, Carroll County, prosecutes his cillingand 



has more business in this direction than any other 
man in this line. He is an Easterner and charac- 
terized by energy. 

Mr. Vaughn was born in Otsego, Steuben County, 
Ind., October 14, 1853. He is a son of Lorin and 
Mary (Isles) Vaughn. The former was born in 
Batavia, N. Y., at the same place where his father 
Lewis was born. Lewis Vaughn was a millwright 
by trade, and he and his son Lorin, who was also 
a millwright, built the tlourmill at Rochester, 
which was at that time the largest in the United 
States. He was a Major in the War of 1812. He 
lived to the good old age of eightj'-six years. The 
great-grandfather, the Rev. Mr. Vaughn, was a 
native of London, England, and a clergyman in 
the Methodist Episcopal Church. Coming to the 
United States he took part in the Revolutionarj' 
War and served as a minute-man. 

Our subject's father was engaged in building 
flourmills, and in 1854 he located in AVilliams- 
ville, Cass County, Mich. He built two sawmills 
in Van Buren County, and in 1864 he removed to 
Bloomingdale, Mich. There he died January 8, 
1880, at the age of eighty-four years. He was a 
Republican in politics and a noble man. Mrs. 
Vaughn, our subject's mother, was born in Mun- 
son, Ohio. Her parents came from the Isle of 
Man and located in the Buckeye State at an early 
day. She died December 14, 1875. She was the 
mother of two children: George W., who resides 
in Bloomingdale, Mich., and our subject. 

AV. J. Vaughn was reared in Michigan after his 
first birthday was passed. He attended school at 
Williamsville, and in 1864 went to Bloomingdale, 
and after a thorough course in the High School 
graduated from that institution at the age of six- 
teen j'cars. He was then apprenticed to learn the 
carpenter's trade. He served for four j^ears at 
Bloomingdale and worked at the trade two years 
longer there. In 1880 he went to Cleveland as a 
journeyman, and in 1884 he took contracts for 
buildings, continuing in that business until 1888. 
While in Cleveland he took up the stud}' of archi- 
tecture under J. S. Allen, who is considered the 
finest architect in that city. May 23, 1888, Mr. 
Vaughn was approached on the subject of coming 
to Carrollton in order to design and superintend 



434 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the buildings to be occupied b}' the Davis Manu- 
facturing Company. He continued with them as 
designer until the}^ were burnt out. 

In the spring of 1892 Mr. Vaughn commenced 
building and doing arcliitectural work for him- 
self, and the finest buildings in the city and vicin- 
ity are the conceptions of his fertile brain, and 
have materialized under his able superintendence. 
He is now engaged in the erection of the Carrollton 
Planing Mills, which is a large and important con- 
tract. Our subject was married in Bangor, Mich., 
July 19, 1875, to Miss Maggie Cottier, who was 
born in North Eaton, Lorain County, Ohio. 
They have a charming home located at West First 
Street. The family includes one daughter, whose 
name is Effle. Fraternally, Mr. Vaughn belongs to 
the Free it Accepted Masons. He and his wife 
find great pleasure as well as spiritual profit in their 
membership with the Christian Churcii, in which 
he is the leader of the choir. He is a fine musician 
and a member of the Carrollton Cornet Band, 
playing the E Flat cornet. Politically, Mi-. 
\'auglin is a Republican. 



/ *ES^ 



P. BRADLEY, the energetic and enterpris- 
ing junior partner of the well-known firm 
of Flournoy & I'>radley, retail grocers of 
Linneus, Mo., and dealers in general mer- 
chandise, carrying one of the most complete stock 
of goods in their line in Linn County, is regarded 
by the general publicas a man of fine business ability 
and sterling integritj* of character. Mr. Bradley also 
has an interest in the live-stock firm of Westgate & 
Flournoy, a nephew of our subject keeping the 
books of both firms in the store of Flournoy & Brad- 
le}'. J. P. Bradlej', a native Missourian, born in 
Platte County in 1845, has been a lifelong wit- 
ness of the rapid growth of his native State, and, 
occupying various high official positions in Lin- 
neus, has been intimately associated with the best 
interests of Linn County. .Tames F. Bradley, the 
father of our subject, came from Lexington. K3'., 



in 1840 and settled in Claj* County, Mo., and a 
3'ear or two later removed to Platte Count}-. He 
was a practical farmer and, a man of good educa- 
tion, also tauglit school. As a stock-raiser he was 
successful, and was at home in every detail of the 
tilling of the soil. lie served as a drummer bo}- 
in the War of 1812 and was a Drum ]\Iajor in the 
Mexican War. 

The mother of our subject, Mrs. Nanc}' (Keller) 
Bradle}-, was the daughter of Jacob Keller, an early 
resident of Kentucky and well known in Bourbon 
and Fayette Counties, in one of which Mrs. Bradley 
was born. Father and Mother Bi-adle_y both died 
in 1869, after lives of usefulness, and were mourned 
by a large circle of friends. The father passed 
away in September, and his wife only survived 
hini until December. They were the parents of 
thirteen children, of whom our subject was the 
seventh son and twelfth child in order of birth. 
The brothers and sisters all enjo^'ed the benefit of 
as thorougii an education as their opportunities 
afforded, and oui subject, reared in Platte County, 
attended the common schools. At seventeen years 
of age he enlisted in Shelby's command, C. S. A. 
He remained in the Confederate service from Sep- 
tember, 1863, until the close of the war, and was 
wounded in a fight in Platte Countj^, while en- 
gaged in the recruiting service. After the war 
was ended, Mr. Bradley went to Mexico, there de- 
voted himself to the pursuits of agriculture and' 
stock-raising, and from Mexico next removed to 
California, which he made his home from 1867 
until 1870, also profitabl}- farming in the C4olden 
State. In 1870, returning to Platte County, Mo., 
our subject theie resumed farming duties, but in 
1873 came to Linneus and engaged in the grocery 
business. In 1879, he tried the meat business, but 
in 1880, in company with Mr. Flournoy, entered 
into his present business relations, and with his 
partner conducts the largest grocery house in Lin- 
neus. 

In 1874, J. P. Bradley and Miss Mattie D. San- 
dusky, daughter of an old settler of Linneus, Sam- 
uel Sandusky, were united in marriage. Mrs. 
Bradley, an estimable and accomplished lad}', w.as 
reared in Linn County. She is the mother of one 
child, a-brigiil young daugliter now attending the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



435 



Central Feninle College, at Lexington, Mo. Fra- 
ternally, our subject is a member of the Independ- 
ent Order of Odd Fellows and is also connected 
witli tlie Knights of Pythias and the Ancient 
Older of United Workmen. Mr. Bradley has oc- 
cupied with fidelity and honor various important 
positions of trust. As Mayor of Linneus and a 
long-time City Father and Alderman, he was ac- 
tive in the promotion and advancement of local 
iin|)rovements and liberally aided in the pro- 
gressive enterprises of his locality. A prominent 
worker in the ranks of the Democratic party, he 
has ably represented his constituents as a member 
of the Democratic County Committee, and from 
his earliest manhood has been an ardent advocate 
of the principles of true Democracy. As a private 
citizen and as a public official, the career of Mr. 
Uradley has ever been distinguished by energetic 
efficiency and the upright conduct of daily affairs 
which has so abundantly won him the esteem and 
tliorouoh confidence of hosts of friends. 



-'^- -=^^>^^« 



tl^ENRY C.BAILEY is the genial and effi- 
liTj^* cient Postmasterof Browning, Linn County, 
'^^^ in which village he has made his home 
^P since 1881. His father, Eli B. Bailey, who 
was born in the Keystone State, was married 
about 1833, and had a family of twelve children, 
four sons and eight daughters. Those living are 
as follows: H. C, the subject of this sketch; .Joab, 
John M., Eli, Nellie, Maggie, Lida and Hattie. 
John is married and resides on a farm north of 
Browning; Nellie is the wife of J. S. Hammers, a 
farmer in Woodford County, 111.; Maggie, who is 
married, resides at French Grove; Lida, wife of 
David Burk, makes her home on a farm northwest 
of Browning; Hattie has been a teacher in Hlinois 
for many years. 

The subject of this notice, who is a native of 
Greene County, Pa., and was born in 1844, re- 
moved to Peoria County, 111., in 1848. For twenty 
years he was there engaged, principally in farming, 
until 1808, when he decided to try iiis fortunes 



further West. Going to Sullivan County, Mo., he 
there engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1881, 
after which he carried on the mercantile business 
for several years in Browning. In addition to his 
duties as Postmaster, he is at present largely en- 
gaged in buying poultry, game .and live stock, be- 
ing the largest shipper in the county' in this par- 
ticular branch. He is also a large shipper of eggs 
and country produce, in which business he has met 
with marked success, due to the care and attention 
he has devoted to the proper methods of carrying 
on that line. 

Mr. Bailey, like a true patriot, came to the de- 
fense of his country during the civil conflict, en- 
listing in Company G, One Hundred and Eighth 
Illinois Infantry, on March 6, 1865. At the end 
of a year's service he received an honorable dis- 
charge at Springfield, 111., F\'bruary 6, 1866. He 
participated with his regiment at the battles of 
Spanish Fort and the siege of Mobile, in the latter 
being attached to the Sixteenth Army Corps un- 
der A. J. Smith. lie is a Republican and a mem- 
ber of the Baptist Church, to which his wife also 
belongs. He owns a good farm in this county, on 
which he has made many improvements. It is 
now in a fine condition and is considered one of 
the choice tracts in Sullivan Count}'. He also 
owns a nice home and other real estate in Browning. 

In 1869 Mr. Bailey and Miss Minnie Clark, 
formerl}' of Waynesburgh, Pa., were united in mar- 
riage. They have two sons and three daughters, 
all living and residing at home. They are: Ed- 
ward C, Raymond C, Jessie M., Bertha J. and 
Clara. 



"ili'OHN GEOR(tE DONNENWERTH is a 
dealer in furniture and carries on an un- 
dertaking l)usiness in Browning, Linn 
County. His father, who bore the name of 
Jacob Donnenwertli. was a native of Switzerland, 
one of the oldest republics, and one which has 
stood the test longer than any in the civilized 
world. He emigrated to America in an early day. 
living for six years in Buffalo, N. Y., after which 



^ 



436 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



he went to Canada, where he engaged in farming. 
He married a French lady by the name of Catlier- 
ine Merclin, in Alsace. Her grandfather was a 
Captain under Bonaparte and died in Canada. 
Mr. and Mrs. Donnenwerth had a family of five 
b03'S and five girls, seven of whom are living. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Berlin, 
Waterloo County, Canada, May 15, 1842, and re- 
mained at home until twenty-eight years of age. 
In 1875 he came to Browning, where he engaged 
as a carpenter and builder for ten years. For the 
past few 3'ears our subject, in connection with his 
son, has been carrying on his present business, 
keeping a fine line of furniture and general house- 
furnishings. He is quite an inventor, having been 
recently granted United States letters patent for 
a new and ingenious device for oiling cylinders of 
steam engines. Experts, and machinists as well, 
have pronounced this to be an article of great 
value and one which will be of great use in all 
branches of machinery. 

In 1869 Mr. Donnenwerth was married to Miss 
IMagdelene Berkholder, of Canada. They have 
two children, a son and daughter, William J. and 
Lena Lee. The former is engaged in partnership 
with his father, as before mentioned, and is a ris- 
ing young business man of this locality. Our sub- 
ject is in sj'mpathy with the Farmers' Alliance, 
and is held in high regard by his fellow-townsmen 
and many friends in this locality. 



^j^ TEWART HENDERSON. In the prepara- 
^^s5. tion of this brief outline of the life history 
ll// ji) of one of the best men of Chariton County 
appear facts wliich are greatly to his credit. 
His intelligence; enterpiise and integrity, as well 
as many other estimable qualities, have acquired 
for him a popularity not derived from anj' facti- 
tious circumstances, but a spontaneous tribute to 
his merit. Probably tliere is no man within the 
limits of the county that is a better judge of fine 
horse-flesh than is Mr. Henderson, in the breeding 
of which he is extensively engaged. The example 



that he has set in this respect has served as an im- 
petus for others to follow him in this industry, 
and now many speedy, as well as draught, animals 
may be seen on the surrounding farms. He is an 
enthusiastic horseman, and while engaged in gen- 
eral farming, this branch of agriculture receives 
special attention at his hands. He is the owner of 
some very fine animals, among them a thorough- 
bred imported English draught horse, an imported 
thoroughbred French Percheron, and a fine road- 
ster, a Cleveland Bay, besides a number of others 
of less importance, but all exceptionally fine ani- 
mals. Many j'ears were spent in connection with 
this line of work in the State of his birth, which 
he also followed in other States, and this alone is 
sufficient to ensure him success in the State of his 
adoption. 

In the veins of this branch of the Henderson 
family there flows both Scotch and Irish blood, 
for the grandfather, Stewart Henderson, although 
from the North of Ireland, traced his ancestry back 
to the ''land of thistles and oatmeal." Upon com- 
ing to America he settled in "Penn's Woodland," 
in Fayette County, Pa., in which State he died, 
although he had previously lived in Erie County, 
near Lake Erie. His wife, Annie Hunt, was a 
Penusylvanian, whose ancestors came to this coun- 
try from Holland, and in Fayette Countj' she also 
passed away. Their children were: Nancy, de- 
ceased; Thomas, the father of the subject of this 
sketch; Stewart, Isaac, Alexander, Harvej^ (the 
last three residentsof Fayette County, Pa.); David, 
of Knox County, 111.; and Jacob, Joseph and 
Mary, deceased. Thomas Henderson, the father 
of Stewart, was born in Erie County, Pa., in 1809, 
and can well remember hearing, in his child- 
hood, the firing of Perry's guns on Lake Erie in 
his encounters with the British. He remained with 
his parents until his marriage, which occurred at 
about the age of thirty years, Miss Hannah Dun- 
lap, a daughter of Samuel and Hannah Dunlap, of 
Greene County, Pa., of Dutch descent, becoming his 
wife. Mr. Henderson purchased a tract of land in 
Fayette County, Pa., located thereon, and there 
his children were born, as follows: Ann, wife 
of Samuel Junk, a farmer of Knox County, 
111.; Hannah, wife of H. (t. Shinn, a farmer of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



437 



Henry County, 111.; Mary, wife of Samuel Rankin, 
of Knox County, who died at the age of forty-four 
years, leaving- four children; Stewart, tire subject 
of this sketch; Martha, wife of Alexander Ritten- 
liousc, of Knox County; Elizabeth, wife of Taylor 
Linn, of Knox County; and Cynthia, who died in 
infancy. 

In 1855 Mr. Henderson sold his property in 
Fa3'ette County and removed with his family to 
Knox County, 111., and settled on land in the vi- 
cinity of Henderson, where he remained until his 
death, in November, 1878, at which time he was in 
good circumstances. He not only tilled Ihe soil, 
but was also engaged in the purchase and sale of 
stock. His farm is still in the possession of the 
famil\-. His wife died in 1866. 

Stewart Henderson was born in Fayette County, 
Pa., June 8, 1845, and there in the public schools 
and in Knox County-, 111., where he attended 
school during the winter months, he received a 
fair education. He left home at the age of twen- 
ty three years, and in 1868 was married to Miss 
Annie Henderson, daughter of Alex Henderson, 
of Fayette County, Pa., where she was leared, and 
after becoming tiie mother of the following chil- 
dren she was called from life: Ada E., wife of C. 
K. Lynn, a farmer of Fayette County; Ph(ebe L., 
wife of Alvin Clovis, a farmerof Chariton County, 
SIo.; and Annie, who lives with her aunt in Knox 
County, 111. Miss Susan Iliggins, a daughter of 
George Higgins, of Mercer County, 111., became his 
second wife in February, 1881, and left two chil- 
dren, Eva and Belle, who are at home with their 
father. Mr Henderson was again married, in Ma}', 
1888, to Mrs. Adaline (Bradley) Bennett, she be- 
ing a daughter of John Bradley, a native of Mar}'- 
land, but a resident of Butler County, Ohio. Af- 
ter his first marriage Mr. Henderson li^'ed for 
about seven years in Henry County, 111., where he 
had purchased land, then sold his property and 
purchased land in Mercer County, of the same 
Slate, but since February, 1889, has been a resident 
of Chariton C(>unty, Mo., where he owns one hun- 
dred and seventy acres of good farming land, 
which is also well adapted to the purposes of 
stock-raising, wliich occupation h.as for manj' 
years past received much attention at his hands. 



He has supported the principles of the Deraocrac}' 
on all occasions, as did his father before him, and 
socially, he is a member of the Ancient Free A 
Accepted Masons. 






L. KIRKPATRICK. One of the first mer- 
cantile establishments of the town of Or- 
rick. Mo., is the tin shop of A. L. Kirk- 
patrick, which, under his push and enter- 
prise, has a satisfactory patronage. He is a man of 
experience in the business affairs of life, is thor- 
oughly conversant with the wants of the trade, and 
popular alike with his patrons and trade competi- 
tors. He was born in the Iloosier State, at Lock- 
port, April 13, 1861,hisi)arents, Josephasand Mary 
J. (Corneleson) Kirkpatrick, having also been born 
in that State, the birth of the former occurring 
November 22, 1823. He had four brothers, one 
half-brother and two sisters, the two sisters dying 
after they had married and reared families. He 
was exceptionally well educated for a man of his 
day and for a number of years successfully fol- 
lowed the calling of a "Hoosier Schoolmaster," but 
at the present time is devoting his attention to 
tilling the soil in the vicinity of Lockport. He was 
left a widower May 15, 1870, his wife dying at 
the age of forty years, four months and sixteen 
days. She had a wide circle of friends, who mourned 
her death but little less than her own immediate and 
sorrowing family. She was one of four daughters, 
only one of whom is now living. 

In 1865, A. L. Kirkpatrick came with his parents 
from Indiana and with them settled in Ray County, 
Mo., where five years later his mother breathed her 
last; two years later his father married a second 
time and removed with his famil}' to Parker 
County, Tex., but three years later took up his 
residence in Ft. Smith, Ark., and eventually re- 
turned to his old home at Lockport, Ind. In the 
spring of 1876, the subject of this sketch bound 
himself out to a full-blood Choctaw Indian, by the 
name of Cunningham Wade, for one 3-ear, his du- 
ties beiiiij to attend to tiie stock belonging to the 



438 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



latter, for which he was to receive as compensation 
two horses, a saddle and bridle and his clothing 
and board, the contract being fully complied with 
by both parties. Daring the ensuing year Mr. 
Kirkpatrick rented some land, on which he pro- 
ceeded to raise a crop of cotton, and after selling 
the same, together with his horses, and upon the 
payment of his few small debts, be found that he 
had the snug little sum of $385, the result of his 
two years' labor. 

In February, 1878, he returned to Lockporl, Ind., 
and throughout that summer worked on a farm, for 
which he received 115 per month, the succeeding 
winter being spent in attending tlie district schools 
in the neighborhood where he worked, at which 
time he was only capable of reading in the second 
reader, and knew little outside of that. The next 
spring he went to Rockfield and for three 3'ears 
thereafter attended the schools of the town and 
made his home with a widowed aunt. By close 
and earnest application to his books during this 
period, he succeeded in acquiring a good practical 
education. In February, 1882, he returned to Ray 
County and the two succeeding summers were 
spent in farm labor, while his winters were devoted 
to clerking in the general store belonging to Den- 
nis Rhodes, where he learned many nice points of 
successful mercantile life. 

February 17, 1884, Miss OllieK. Taylor, a daugh- 
ter of M. G.Taylor, now a merchant of Orrick, be- 
came his wife. Slie is a bright, well-educated and 
energetic lady, and obtained her education at Lib- 
erty Christian College; she is an earnest Christian, 
is a model wife and an excellent and conscientious 
mother to her three children: P'rank, born December 
12, 1884; Mabel M., born January 7, 1887; and 
George E., born August 19, 1889. 

After his marriage, Mr. Kirkpatrick clerked in 
the store belonging to his father-in-law for two 
3-ears; then with his brother as a partner purchased 
a stock of goods in Morton, Mo., but not liking 
tlie location they moved their stock to Rawlins 
County, Kan., and opened up a store on the open 
prairie, sixteen miles from the nearest town, where 
they remained for two years. At the end of this 
time they disposed of their goods, and Mr. Kirk- 
patrick once more returned to his old stamping- 



ground in Ray County, Mo. On the 4th of De- 
cember, 1889, he patented a weather strip, of vvhich 
he was tire inventor, then traveled for one year 
selling territory for the same, which enterprise 
proved to be decidedly remunerative. Upon his 
return he invested his earnings in a tin shop, and 
has since been prosperously engaged in the manu- 
facture of all kinds of tinware, rooting, spoutingi 
etc., at the same time doing an extensive business 
as a dealer in dry and mixed paints, oils, etc. Mr. 
Kirkpatrick is a universally popular man of busi- 
ness, for it is his aim to satisfy every customer, and 
it is upon this sure basis lliat he has developed his 
present large trade. In the spring of 1892 he was 
elected Mayor of Orrick and at the same time is 
serving in the capacity of a member of the School 
Board. 

He is justly regarded as one of the leading men 
of the town, is a pronounced Democrat in politics, 
and he and his wife are worthy members of the 
Christian Church. 



li^^^^l^i 



\T,' ACOB K. IIOUX is engaged in general mer- 
chandising in Ilale, Carroll County. He 
,^^ . was born in Logan County, Ky., on the 
^^fJ 21st of December, 1814, and was the sec- 
ond son of Frederick and Margaret (Ware) IIoux. 
His paternal grandfather, Mathias Houx, was a 
native of Germany, and emigrated to the United 
States in the last century. Our subject's father 
was born in the Keystone State, while his mother 
was a native of Mar3'land. 

As earlj' as 1818 the parents of our subject re- 
moved to Cooper County, Mo., where he was 
reared to mature 3'ears. His educational advantages 
were limited, as the district schools of those early 
days in the West were few and poorly conducted. 
When fourteen years of age he was apprenticed to 
the tanner's trade, at which he worked for many 
years. In 1854, removing to Livingston County, 
he settled upon a farm near Bedford, where he 
engaged in agricultural pursuits for some years. 
In 18()7 Mr. IIoux embarked in "cneral merchan- 





'^^^:^i^^Z^ (J<V, 







^^^5^^:^^^^:^^^< 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



441 



dising in Bedford, which business he conducted 
successfully for fourteen years. In 1884 he lo- 
cated in Hale, where he has since been engaged in 
the general merchandise business. As a business 
man he has ever shown himself to be honorable 
and iipriglit. and has well merited the success he 
has achieved. He is one of the Directors of the 
People's Bank of Hale, and is held in respect as a 
man of ability by those in l)usiness circles of this 
vicinity. 

In I83(> Mr. Houx took as his wife Miss Lu- 
cinda Simmons, of Kentucky. Seven children 
were born to them, but four of whom are living: 
Margaret K., William F., Benjamin F. and George. 
The wife and mother departed this life in 1852, 
and the following j'ear was celebrated our sub- 
ject's marriage with Mrs. Margaret Langley. Three 
cliildren grace their union, two of whom are living: 
Thomas G., Theodore F., and Lueinda, deceased. 
Mrs. Houx was called from this life in 1876. In 
1880 Mr. Houx married Mrs. Brown, who is also 
now deceased. 

Socially, Mr. Houx is a member of Hale Lodge 
No. 184, A. F. & A. M., and in his political views 
favors the men and measures of the Democratic 
party. He holds membership with the Methodist 
Episcopal Church South. 



^^ EORGE MANEWAL, Presidentof the Buck- 
(l[ (— , lin Bank, and a leading merchant of Buck- 
■^^ lin, Linn County, has been a prominent 
factor in the growth and development of this place 
for the past twenty-three years. For the past five 
years he has been sole proprietor of his large gen- 
eral mercantile store, his trade amounting to $40,000 
per annum. The birth of our subject occurred in 
Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, on the 5th of August, 
1854. His parents were Jeremiah and Elizabeth 
(Kuehn) Manewal, both natives of the Fatherland, 
who emigrated to America in 1859, and settled in 
St. Louis, Mo., where the father engaged in the 
bakery business for ten years. He was called to 
his (in;il rest in 1807, and after surviving her iuis- 
22 



band for many years his wife also departed this 
life, in 1889. They were devoted members of the 
Lutheran Church and were well educated both in 
their native tongue and in English. The father 
was a prominent man in St. Louis, and was suc- 
cessful in his business undertakings. 

Our subject is the youngest child of his father's 
family, which consisted of nine children, six of 
whom are now surviving. He received a good 
education in a private school at St. Louis and at 
the age of sixteen years started out to make his 
own way in the world. He obtained employment 
as a clerk in a grocery store in Bucklin in 1870 
and for five years worked faithfully at that post 
of duty. On the expiration of that time he entered 
into partnership with his brother-in-law, L. C. F. 
Stuenkle, and conducted a general dry-goods store 
until the spring of 1889, since which time he has 
carried on the business alone. He has built up a 
large trade almost entirely through his own efiforts 
and is interested in various other concerns in this 
locality. He is Treasurer of the Window-blind 
Factory, which was organized with a capital stock 
of $16,000. They employ from twenty-five to fifty 
men and are doing a thriving business. Our sub- 
ject is also a stockholder and President of the 
Bucklin Bank. 

On the 5th of September, 1880, a wedding cere- 
mony was performed which united the destinies 
of Mr. Manewal and Miss Amalia Claus. Mrs. 
Manewal was born in St. Louis, May 18, 1860, and 
received her education in the St. Louis Lutheran 
schools. Her father, the Rev. A. C. Claus was 
formerly pastor of the Lutheran Church in that 
city, and is now located at Utica, Mich., where he 
has ch.arge of a Lutheran congregation. Our 
worthy subject and wife have been the parents of 
six children, two of whom arc deceased. Those liv- 
ing are Gustav, Lillie, Carrie and Emile. They are 
receiving good school privileges and with their 
mother attend the Lutheran Church, of which she 
is a member. 

Mr. Manewal has always taken a decided interest 
in political matters and is a stanch Republican. He 
has been a delegate to county conventions and 
has served his fellow- townsmen as Alderman a 
number of times. He is a member of the School 



442 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Board and is a thorough champion of tlie public 
schools and teachers of ability. He is num- 
bered among the prosperous and influential citizens 
of this county, and well deserves the high regard 
in which he is held by all. 



El^ 



JUDGE LINNEUS B. SUBLETT,an honored 
resident ot Missouri City and for six years 
the efficient and popular County Judge of 
,^_^ Clay County, Mo., is a genial man of ster- 
ling integrity of character, and, a resident of the 
State from early childhood, has for more than three- 
score years been actively identified with the up- 
ward progress and growing interests of his home 
locality-. The father of our subject, Littleberry 
Sublett, was a native of Virginia, and a member of 
an old and higlily respected family. The mother, 
Mary (Crouch) Sublett, was born in Green County, 
Ky., and reared, educated and married within the 
l)Oundaries of her native State, but later moved to 
Woodford County and there S))ent the first happy 
years of her wedded life. Littleberry and Mary 
Sublett were blessed by the birth of seven chil- 
dren, of whom Linncus B. was the third. Born in 
Versailles, Ky., February 3, 1820, he was but six 
years of age when his parents emigrated to the 
new State of Missouri. Arriving in Claj' Count}' 
in 1826, the family located u|)on a farm near Lib- 
erty, where Judge Sulilett spent the years of his 
boyhood. 

A farmer's son, our subject was early trained 
in the daily round of agricultural duty and ob- 
tained a rudimentary education in the neighbor- 
ing log schoolhouse. At the age of sixteen lie 
self-relianlly began the battle of life, well armed 
with native energy, ambition and perseverance. 
For some length of time he worked for $15 
per month, but in May, 1839, started upon 
an overland journey to the Rockies, traveling 
the entire distance with an ox and mule train, and 
arriving safely at his destination in September. 
For three years he, in company with the party 
with whom he had journeyed thither, traded with 



the Lidians and then went to the Black Hills 
and built eight "buffalo boats," made from buf- 
falo hides. They launched these on the Cheyenne 
River, loaded with hides and furs, and thus they 
carried their cargo to the Missouri River, where 
they constructed a boat large enough to hold their 
cargo and themselves. B}' this method of convey- 
ance the party safely made their voyage home by 
water, landing at Meeks' Ferr}', in Clay County, 
upon the Missouri River, after a ple.asant return 
trip of sixty-two days, and arriving June 15. As 
their "conveyance" was a private one, they diver- 
sified their lioating by excursions upon the land, 
stopping to hunt buffalo, elk and other game, and 
living eiitirel}' upon fresh or dried meat, without 
bread or coffee. 

The Judge served iu the Mexican War for four- 
teen months under Col. Doniphan, and was one of 
nine hundred and fifty Missouri volunteers, who 
]5erformed a prodigious march across the plains 
and aided in taking the city of Chihuahua, after 
routing, February 28, about forty-five hundred 
Mexicans, who met them eighteen miles from the 
cit}'. Our subject, vvho was a Lieutenant in the First 
Regiment Missouri Cavalry, and engaged in hotly 
contested battles, was never wounded, but received 
some very close calls. He was distinguished by 
gallant bearing upon the field of war and made an 
enviable record as a brave and patriotic citizen. 
He is one of the seven surviving pensioners of the 
Mexican War in Clay County, which has been his 
constant home. With the exception of his brother, 
William A., a resident of California, Judge Sub- 
lett is now the sole representative of the sons and 
daughters who once clustered about the fireside of 
the old Kentucky home so man}' years ago. Judge 
Sublett was married to Miss Carrie Hardwicke, 
September 15, 1867. Mrs. Sublett, a lady of cul- 
ture and refinement, was born and reared in Clay 
County, and has alwa3's enjo^^ed a prominent social 
position in the home of her nativity. She is a 
valued member of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
and prominently connected with the social and 
benevolent work of that religious organization. 
Before the Civil War, both our subject and his 
father were slave-holders, and some of the venera- 
ble "uncles" and "aunties," now freedmen, live 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPmCAL RECORD. 



443 



near Judge Sublett, and regard their former owner 
with great respect and affection. Politically, our 
subject was in early manhood a Whig, afterward 
transferring his support to the Democratic party, 
whose principles he has since firmly' maintained. 
He has occupied county oflices with distinction, 
and discharged the various duties of County Judge 
with honor and ability. Althougli his health is 
not so robust as formerly, he finds much enjoyment 
in the society of a host of old-time friends. Guided 
alw.a3-s b}- the stern principles of right and justice, 
and faithful to ever3' trust reposed in him, the career 
of Judge Sublett has been untarnished by dishon- 
est word or deed, and has been singularly free 
from the mistakes incidental to public life. Pat- 
riotic, progressive and liberal in sentiment, be is 
a truly representative American citizen. 

Judge Sublett, when only sixteen years old, 
went out in an Indian War, known as the Heath- 
erly War, but it turned out to be a frolic for the 
boys, and no blood was shed. 



iILEY E. BEVINS, a native Miesourian and 
i? energetic and enterprising citizen, the 
President of the Kearney Land Improve- 
ment Company, was born near Kearney, 
Clay County, Mo., May 6, 1857. Oursubject is the 
youngest of the twelve children of David M. and 
Hulda C. Bevins, who lost three of their little ones 
in infancy. The father, was born in Kentucky, 
on the 17th of January, 1805, and was the eld- 
est of twelve children. When he was seventeen 
years of age his father sent him to Missouri to 
enter land and begin improvements for a home. 
Fattier Bevins came on horseback, and after leav- 
ing the settlements in the eastern part of the State 
found the country so sparsely populated that for 
several days he rode from early dawn to sundown 
without seeing a solitary house. He finally lo- 
cated one hundred and sixty acres of timber land 
in what is now Gallatin Township, Clay C'ount\'. 
The following winter he cleared eight acres, in the 



S])ring put out a small crop, and in the meantime 
erected a little log cabin. He also entered another 
one hundred and sixty acres, and in tiie following 
summer, 1822, his parents and family came from 
Kentucky -and joined him in the then wilderness. 

Two years later. Father Bevins began to work 
for himself, sawing lumber with a whip-saw, and 
continued in this emplo^-ment for a number of 
years. He furnished the lumber for the first home 
ever erected in Liberty, and as carpenter and con- 
tractor built the old arsenal building in Liberty. 
By his personal energy and hard work, he accumu- 
lated over five thousand acres of land after his 
marriage, in 1830, with Miss Hulda C, daughter of 
James Riley, who emigrated from Kentucky in 1828. 
Oursubject's parents reared the following children: 
Harriet, Mary A., Olive P.; David R., who was 
killed in the Southern army; Thomas F., James, 
Alice and Riley E. Mr. Bevins was a wealthy slave- 
owner, keeping slaves only for his own use; he 
provided good brick cottages for them and gave 
them plenty to eat and wear and was beloved by all 
the colored people. He amassed quite a large for- 
tune, mostly in real estate, and when he died, Janu- 
ary 22, 1890, aged eighty-four years and five days, 
he left all his property to his children. He was a 
man of commanding appearance, of firm character 
but gentle in disposition, and in every sense of the 
word a true citizen. His wife had preceded him 
to the better land but a few months previous to 
his demise, and in death they were not long 
divided. 

Our subject received a good common-school edu- 
cation and passed his youthful days in his birth- 
place. Having attained to manhood, he was mar- 
ried October 4, 1876, to Miss Mary R. jNIajor, a 
twin of W. W. Major, and a daughter of Dr. Major, 
of Clay County. Mrs. Bevins was one of eight 
children, and in her parents' family there were 
two sets of twins. For two years after the mar- 
riage of Riley E. Bevins, he was in partnership 
with his father, jointlj' farming and stock-raising. 
Afterward he worked on his own farm for three 
j-ears and then went to Kearney and engaged in 
the mercantile trade for the ensuing five years. In 
the spring, he in company with three other men 
went to Arkansas and formed a corporation call(?d 



444 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the " Kearney Land Improvement Compan^y," of 
which our subject was made President. John S. 
Major, his wife's brother, was appointed Secretary 
and Treasurer, and G. S. Henderson received tiie 
responsible position of General Manager. Tlie 
corporation purchased a tract of timber land in 
Central Arkansas, containing over twelve thou- 
sand acres, and at once proceeded to clear away 
a portion of the timber and plat out a town, 
which the}' named in affectionate remembrance of 
their native Missouri town of Kearney. The}" 
were obliged to at once commence houses for their 
workmen and at the same time were building a 
large lumber mill, which soon developed an im- 
mense business and proved a great financial suc- 
cess. 

In a comparatively brief time, the village, of 
Kearney became a flourishing little town and 
the demand for their mill products was so great 
the corporation was obliged to increase the manu- 
facturing capacity. For a twelvemonth all was 
well and then one night the people of the village 
awoke to find the mill in flames. The loss to the 
company was $14,000, but without delay they laid 
within twenty-four hours the foundations for a 
larger and better plant, which they soon completed 
and placed therein all new and improved machin- 
ery and were soon at work again. The mill 
manufactures all kinds of lumber and building 
material, employing over one hundred hands to 
run the business. No horses are used, the teaming 
being done by eighty-four yoke of oxen. The 
company have built a standard gauge railway of 
eight miles, using all steel rails, and calling it the 
Kearney ife Sheridan Railroad. The corporation 
own their engines and cars, and beside doing 
their own business have a large traflic in freight, 
also carrying numerous passengers. The company 
expect to soon extend this line some thirty 
miles farther. Kearney, Ark., is rapidl}' becoming 
a thriving business centre, where all kinds of in- 
terests are represented. The town ambitiously 
has its own telegraph and telephone lines, good 
schools and churches, and has from its inception 
constantly flourished. Mr. Bevins purposes at no 
late day to make his home in Kearney, removing 
thither his wife and family, who are yet residents 



of Liberty, Clay County, where they are now re- 
maining upon account of !Mrs. Bevins' health, she 
having been a great sufferer from muscular rheu- 
matism since 1881. 

Mr. Bevins owns a large real-estate interest in 
Clay County, Mo., consisting of three hundred 
and forty-six acres in Kearney Township, aside 
from his share in his father's estate. Our subject 
is a gentleman of fine appearance and rarely gifted 
in mind. He is a pleasing conversationalist, and 
a most practical business man, possessing great 
financial abilitj' and honor. To iiis untiring 
energy and enterprising resolution the abundant 
success and continued prosperity of Kearney is 
mainly due. Mr. and Mrs. Bevins are the parents 
of three children: Ruby was born October 29, 
1880, and is a young and blooming girl of rare at- 
tractions and lovable nature, caring tenderly for 
her invalid mother and her little brothers. David 
M., the eldest son, was born September .30, 1887; 
Riley .S. was born August 16, 1891, and both the 
little sons are bright and promising children. 
Financiallj' prospered, our subject is especially 
blessed in his home relations, and with his cultured 
wife enjoys the high esteem of a large circle of 
life-time friends. Politically, Mr. Bevins is a radi- 
cal Democrat and a firm su[)porter of the party. 
Closely occupied in handling extensive business 
interests, he has never aspired to public office, but, 
a true American, well posted in local and national 
affairs, supports with vote and influence the repre- 
sentatives of the principles of true Democrac}'. 



EORGE McNISH, a representative agricul- 
II <5w? turist and prominent citizen of Linn 
^^Jj County, Mo., has been a resident of the 
old homestead located upon section 18, townsiiip 
57, range 19, for about twentj'-eight years. The 
fine farm, all now under a high state of cultiva- 
tion, is managed at present by the sons, who are 
successful and extensive breeders of a superior 
grade of the celebrated Hereford cattle. Our sub- 
ject was born in Glasgow, in "bonnie Scotland," 






PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



445 



Januaiy 30, 1814. His parents, fteorge and Jane 
(Ramsey) McNisIi, were industrious, energetic and 
intelligent people, and, earlj" appreciating the ad- 
vantages offered by a new country, emigrated to 
Leeds Countj% Ontario, and settled near Biock- 
ville. The boyhood of our subject vvas passed 
upon his father's farm, where he was thoroughly 
trained in the regular round of agricultural duties, 
and grew up to manhood an enterprising and self- 
reliant tiller of the soil. 

When twenty-three years of age, Mr. McNish 
began life for himself as a farmer, and finally lo- 
cating in the United States, made his iiome at first 
in Colesburgh, Delaware County, Iowa, in 1863. 
In 1865 he removed to Brookfield, Mo., and soon 
after purchased iiis present farm, where he con- 
tinues to reside. At that time Brookfield con- 
tained but a few small buildings, and the land 
bought by our subject was in its primitive condi- 
tion, the unbroken prairie having never been 
turned b}'^ a furrow. Mr. McNish thriftily began 
the speed3' improvement of his property, and as 
fast as his means would allow, transformed it into 
one of the most attractive homesteads in the sur- 
rounding country. The sons also own a farm in 
Chariton County, five miles distant, and control 
in all about two hundred acres. While in Canada, 
our subject filled numerous important local offices, 
and as an American citizen votes the Republican 
ticket. 

Mr. McNish was married March 1, 1837, to 
Lavinia Purvis, a daughter of George Purvis, of 
Younge Township, Leeds County, Ontario. Mr. 
Purvis was of Scotch descent, and his wife, Mrs. 
Lydia (Comstock) Purvis, was a native of New 
York, but of German descent. Mr. and Mrs. Mc- 
Nish were blessed with a large family of ten sons 
and daughters, the family circle now including 
seventeen grandchildren and one great-grand- 
child. Mrs. Lavinia McNish has a photograph of 
members of her family holding upon one plate 
five generations, including herself. The children 
were as follows: George P.; James A., deceased; 
Lydia, Mrs. G. A. Haven; Thomas P.; Jane, Mrs. 
L. F. Hunt; John; Catherine Janette, Mrs. O. J. 
Doane; Andrew W.; Mary A., Mrs. C.A. Doane; 
Phu'be H., Mrs. J. W. Cloments; and Andrew W.. 



who married Miss Anna Hart Stanclift. The latter 
have four children: Florence J., Loren B., P^rnest 
Alfred and Lura Alice. Andrew W. and his fam- 
ily reside with our subject and his wife. The 
McNish family are nearly all Congregationalists, 
and are among the active members in the good 
works of that religious organization. Mr. Mc- 
Nish has after a career of busy usefulness the hap- 
piness of being surrounded by descendants worthy 
to bear the name which he has honored by an up- 
right life. Always interested in local advance- 
ment, he has for many years raatcriall}- aided in 
the growth of home enterprise, and has been num- 
bered among the substantial citizens, who can be 
depended upon as thoroughly reliable and trust- 
worth}-, and, a kind friend and excellentneighbor, 
he enj03^s the high regard and confidence of the 
entire communitj^ among whom his peaceful days 
are passed. 






"jf/ H. JACOBS has for nearly ten 3-ears suc- 
cessfully edited and conducted one of the 
leading Republican newspapers of the 
count3', the Norborne Leader. He is also 
a dealer in real estate and is agent for several in- 
surance companies. Since 1883 he has made his 
home in Norborne. He is a son of H. K. and Bar- 
bara J. (Fetters) Jacobs, the former a native of 
Pennsylvania. The mother was a daughter of 
Philip Fetters, a native of the Keystone State, and 
one of the honored earl}' pioneers of Ohio. The 
father of our subject built tlie first two-story house 
which was erected in Lancaster, Fairfield County, 
Ohio. He was of German descent. 

Our subject was the second of three children 
and spent his bo\'hood in Fairfield Count}', attend- 
ing the public school of the neighborhood. Wiien 
but eleven years of age he was apprenticed for 
seven years to learn the printer's trade. Thus his 
attention was early directed toward the calling 
which he has since pursued. 

In 1881 Mr. Jacobs wedded Miss Catherine 
Coates, of Caldwell County. Mo. Her f.alher, Will- 



446 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



iam Coates, emigrated Westward from Virginia 
man}' years ago. In 1877 Mv. .Jacobs first located 
in Missouri, remaining for about five years in Liv- 
ingston County. In October of 1883, as before 
mentioned, he became a resident of Norborne, 
since wliicli time he has been the editor of the 
Norborne Leader. Politically, he uses his right of 
franchise in favor of the Republican party and its 
nominees. He is ever active and alive to tlie in- 
terests of his party and has taken a prominent 
part in forwarding its interests. He was Chair- 
man of the County Republican Central Committee 
for two 3'ears, and is now the Congressional Com- 
mitteeman from Cr.rroll County. His paper is 
well conducted and ably edited and enjoys an 
enviable position among the Republican papers of 
the county and State. 



1^1^ 



^^1 RCIIIBALU SPENCER, a widely known 
(@/lJ|1 and successful agriculturist of Chariton 
County, Mo., located upon section 4, 
township 56, range 18, is one of the most 
high!}' respected citizens in this portion of the 
State. Porn in Indi.ana, February 9, 1837, he was 
but eighteen years of age when he came to Mis- 
souri, and, making his liome in Putnam Count}^, 
began life for liimself. His father was a native of 
New England, wlio, born in the State of Maine, 
early emigrated to the Farther West. Later in 
life he married Miss Susannah Flora, a native of 
Ohio, and a most worthy and estimable \».dy. The 
home of our subject's parents was blessed by the 
birth of tlie following children, who clustered a 
merry group around the hearth. Alexander, now 
deceased, was the eldest of tiie brothers and sisters. 
Our subject, Archibald, was the next in order of 
birth. Tlien followed Daniel; .James B.; Deborah, 
iNIrs. Frank; Orleans .and George W. Two of the 
little ones passed awaj- in early childhood. 

Mr. Spencer received a good education in the 
Indiana district schools and, trained in industri- 
ous and self-reliant h.abits, early began to prepare 
himself for the earnest work of life. Soon after 



his arrival in Putnam County, he purchased a 
farm, and, entering energetically into the regular 
routine of agricultural duties, made his home there 
for the succeeding seven years, when he sold out 
his interests in Putnam County and removed to 
Linn County, farming in this part of the State for 
six j'ears. At the expiration of this period of 
time, he located in Iowa, and settling in Jasper 
Count}', there engaged in the tilling of the soil 
for five years; after which he returned to Missouri, 
in which State he has since made his constant 
home. In the year 1858, Mr. Spencer entered into 
matrimonial bonds with Miss .Susannah Kanp, born 
in Jefferson County, III., Febru.ary 13, 1842. 

Unto our subject and his wife have been born 
ten children. The brothers and sisters are: John 
R., David E., George W.; Margaret M., Mrs. Will- 
iam .Snj'der; Juniatta, Mrs. M. T. Oldm.an; Frank, 
and AVilliam A. Three children died in infancj'. 

The sons and daughters are all occupying posi- 
tions of usefulness and influence and are social 
favorites with a large circle of friends. The father 
of Mrs. Spencer was David Kaup, born in Penn- 
sylvania in 1807. He married Miss Margaret 
Baum, a native of Pennsylvania, and born in the 
Quaker State, in Chester County, in 1812. Mr. and 
Mrs. David Ivaup were the parents of ten children. 
The eldest son in the house was a half-brother of 
the other sons and daughters. .John B. was his 
name. Daniel B. was the eldest son of the second 
marriage. Then came in order of birth, James P.; 
Sarah J., Mrs. A. Good; Susannah, Mrs. Spencer; 
Louis, Mrs. Jesse Hurlbut; Margaret C, Mrs. Eli 
Johnson; Rachel E., deceased; Harriet A., deceased; 
George W.; and Mary S., Mrs. Henry Heron. Our 
subject served with fidelity in the State Militia 
during the Civil War, remaining in active duty 
through the years 1862, '03, '64, and in common 
with his friends and neighbors experienced man}' 
privations and dangers in those troublous times 
of our national existence. 

In August, 1864, Mr. Spencer had a narrow es- 
cape from a sudden and terrible death. He was 
bitten by a rattle-snake and has never fully re- 
covered from the effect of the bite. His health 
has been materially affected, .any sudden excite- 
ment causing him to faint away. That he may in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



447 



time outlive this physical suffering and weakness 
is the hope of his man_y true friends. Our subject 
has never been a polilican but he is a strong Re- 
publican and an earnest advocate of the principles 
and platform of the good old party. Mr. Spencer 
has ever been interested in local progress and ad- 
vancement and has closely identified himself in 
the social and benevolent enterprises of his home 
neighborhood, and, a kind friend and good neigh- 
bor, has many times lent a helping hand to those 
less fortunate than himself. Our subject has not 
amassed wealth, but the eight^'-two acres of his 
highly improved farm yield him an excellent in- 
come, and as a precious legacy to his children he 
will leave behind him tiie unblemished record of a 
spotless life of integrity and lionor. 



'jfJAMES GUTHRIDGE. Among the leading 
men of Chariton County and its most ex- 
^^ ; tensive land-owners ranks he whose name 
^^fJ heads this sketch. He has long been iden- 
tified with the histoiw and progress of the county 
of which he has been a resident since 1831. He 
makes his home on section .5, township 54, range 
18, where he has a valuable farm. 

Mr. Guthridge was born March 1, 1813, in 
Fauquier County, Va. His father, Reuben Guth- 
ridge, died when he was very young. Of his fam- 
ily of eight children, our subject is the youngest, 
and the death of his mother occurring when he was 
ten years of age, he lived with his brothers until 
1830. Four of these, .Tohn, Elijah, Elias and Will- 
iam, emigrated to Missouri in the early '30s. 
Elias located in Keytesville, where our subject 
shortly joined him. The former was emplo3'ed in 
the store of Mr. Keyte after whom the town was 
named. James Gnthridge commenced carrying 
the mail from Keytesville vo Old Chariton, which 
was the first line for the transportation of postal 
matter in this count}'. At the end of a year he 
went with his brother Elias to a point on the river 
where for a year tliej' were engaged in cutting ) 
cord wood for Mr. Keyte. A short time previous i 



to this the brother John had settled in this portion 
of the county and with him our subject lived for 
a year. When he attained his majoritj- he entered 
the employ of Mr. Anderson, of Keytesville, in his 
saw and grist mill. Then he temoved to Howard 
County, where he was overseer on a plantation for 
four years, for one year of which time lie also 
worked in a factoiy. 

Returning to Keytesville Mr. Guthridge engaged 
in teaming for Mr. Pollard for some six or seven 
months, after which, in 1837, he went with Judge 
Applegate to make a survey of land in Mercer 
Count}'. They were gone about six months and 
on his return his employer gave him a team and 
wagon, thus enabling him to make a start in busi- 
ness. From that time forward his success was 
assured, for he received all the work that he could 
do, for which he obtained as high as -$4 per day. 
The following fall the Mormon War broke out and 
he was pressed into the service, continuing for 
about forty days. When he returned he again 
went to teaming and about that time hauled two 
loads of goods for Judge Applegate all the way 
from St. Louis. At the end of two years he pur- 
chased some land and also entered eighty acres 
from the United States Government. For seven 
years, in company with his brother William, he en- 
gaged in improving and cultivating the land, af- 
ter which he entered more land from the Govern- 
ment on Elk Creek, where he lived for three 
years. Next going to Salt Creek, where he had 
previously purchased a farm, he devoted himself 
to its improvement for about a year, then trading 
off his place on Elk Creek for a sawmill on Mus- 
cle Fork Creek. This he operated for about two 
years. In 1852, he builta saw and grist mill, which 
were known as Guthridge's Mills. These he oper- 
ated until the spring of 1861, when he sold them 
but was obliged to take them back again on account 
of failure on the part of the purchaser to meet his 
obligation. In 1880 he sold the mills to a man 
who 'operated them about two 3ears, after which 
he was obliged to again resume possession of the 
propert\' for the same reason as he had previouslv 
done, since which time he has operated them him- 
self. 

In April, IHC.!. Mr. (hithridge and Mrs. Ann 



448 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Stephens were mairied. Her father was William 
Morgan, of Charlton County. By her former mar- 
riage Mrs. Guthridge had six children, five of 
wliom are yet living. They are Charles R., who is 
engaged in farming on eigiity acres which was 
given to him by our subject; James W.,a farmer of 
Muscle Fork Township; Benjamin who runs the 
sawmill; Missouri, who married John Bushnell, a 
farmer of Keytesville Township; and Louisiana 
who is the wife of AVilliam Hicks, who has charge 
of the Guthridge Mills. Mrs. Guthridge wascalled 
to the home beyond December 22, 1891. Mr. and 
Mrs. Gutliridge had two children, Wilford R.,who 
is running a store at Gutliridge Mills, and Chap 
who runs a sawmill in this count3'. 

Besides having given his children considerable 
land Mr. Guthridge still owns about fifteen hun- 
dred acres in this county. Although he was a 
slave-owner, he was opposed to slavery and was 
about to release his slaves when the war broke out. 
Politically, he is a Democrat and socially, is a mem- 
ber of Chariton Lodge No. 513, A. F. & A. M. of 
which he was one of the charter members and at 
one time its Treasurer. He erected the building in 
which the lodge is situated. He has surmounted 
all obstacles in his pathway' by his sturdy determi- 
nation to succeed. He was not given good educa- 
tional advantages, but has become well posted on 
the leading questions of tlie d.ay and is a man of 
wide experience. 



•^^ 



E^^ 



ivjEOliCiE M. DEWf:Y, M. U., who has a large 
^—1 practice in Keytesville, is a member of the 
II State Medical Society, Chariton County 
Medical Society and the National Association of 
Railway Surgeons. For about ten years he has 
been Railway Surgeon for the Wabash Railroad, 
and for many years has been prominent among 
his medical brethren. In 1888 lie was elected 
Coroner, in which capacit}' he served for four 
j^ears. 

The Doctor was born in Erie County, N. Y., 
June IT), 1820. His father, Truman Dewey, was 



a native of Stockbridge, Mass., his birth having 
occurred in 1786. He participated in the War of 
1812, in which he did valiant service. In his na- 
tive State he followed the occupation of a cloth- 
fuller. The mother of our subject was before 
her marriage Miss Lois Talman. She was also a 
native of Stockbridge, born in 1784. With his 
wife and two children, Truman Dewey removed 
in 1817 to New York, settling in Erie County, 
where he engaged in agricultural pursuits until 
his death in 1853. His wife survived him several 
years, being called to her final rest in 18G1. 

Our suljject was reared and educated in Erie 
County, N. Y'., and became a resident of Missouri 
in 1842. With Dr. Crews, of Howard County, 
Mo., he commenced the study of medicine, after- 
ward going to Philadelphia, where he entered 
Jefferson Medical College, from which institution 
he was graduated in 1858. Heat once returned to 
this Stute, where he has since been activel}' en- 
gaged in the practice of his profession. For sev- 
eral years previous to this time he had practiced 
more or less. 

In 1848 Dr. Dewey and Miss Martha Ewing 
were joined in matrimony. The lady is the daugh- 
ter of Nathaniel Ewing, who was one of the early 
settlers in Missouri, where he arrived in 1838. He 
was a leading farmer for many years in Chariton 
County. To the Doctor and his estimable wife 
have been born five children, who are as follows: 
Helen, who is the wife of Andrew Mackay, a well- 
known lawyer of St. Louis; Truman, a practicing 
physician in this State; Ellie, who lives in St. 
Louis; Kate, who resides with her parents; and 
George M., Jr., who carries on a hardware busi- 
ness in Keytesville. 

Dr. Dewey is a member of the Ancient Free & 
Accepted Masons, being one of the verj* oldest 
Masons in the county. Politically, he is a Dem- 
ocrat, and during the late war was in sj-mpathy 
with the Union cause. At the last convention of 
the National Railway Surgeons' Association at 
Old Point Comfort, Va., the Doctor was in attend- 
ance and reported a very enjoyable and instruc- 
tive gathering. He is a member, and has been 
President of, the Moberly District Medical Society, 
and w.as President of the Chariton County Med- 





^M 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD. 



451 



ical Societj', being now President of tlie Junior 
Board. Our subject is President of the Pension 
Board of C'liariton County. To liis many other 
talents, the Doctor adds tlie liappy one of being 
able to write poetry. 



iT_^ A. McCHESNFA', A. M., M. D. As a spe- 
Wfji' cialist in the treatment of eye and ear 
/^V^ diseases, Dr. McChosney has gained an en- 
l'^) viable reputation, not only in Brookfield, 
where he resides, but also through tliis part of the 
State. He is now in the prime of his useful life, 
having been born April 18, 1860, and Troy, N. Y., 
was the place of his birth. His father was a mer- 
chant of Troy and the family still make their home 
in that place. Until he was thirteen years of age, 
our subject remained an inmate of his father's 
home and was a pupil in the public schools of 
Troy, from which he was graduated. He is also a 
graduate of Ripley (Vt.) College. Having resolved 
to devote his life to the medical profession, ho 
commenced his studies at the age of eighteen un- 
der the preceptorship of Dr. C. A. Winship, of 
Eagle Mills. He was graduated from Amherst 
College, where he received the degree of Master 
of Arts, in the Class of '79, after which he took a 
course of lectures at Albany' Medical College. In 
1881, he completed the course at the Phil.adclphia 
Homeopathic College, having spent his time prin- 
cipally in hospital work. 

Qualified for the profession of his choice, Dr. Mc- 
Chesney first entered upon its practice as surgeon 
for the Fremont, Elkhorn & Missouri Valley Rail- 
road, wiiich position he filled for several months, 
and later followed his profession in Die Black Hills. 
Althougli his medical education had been a good 
one, he w.as not satisfied with it, and, ambitious to 
attain a high place in the profession, he resumed 
his studies, this time spending one ^-ear in the 
medical department of the Iowa State University. 
He had alw.ays felt unusually interested in dis- 
eases of tlie eye and ear, and wishing to make a 



specialt}- of their treatment he went to Australia, 
where for twelve months he remained at the Mel- 
bourne Eye and Ear Infirmary, after which he re- 
turned to the United States and took a couise of 
lectures in the Homeopathic College of Missouri 
at St. Louis. 

Pursuing the same special line, Dr. McChesnev 
entered the Infirmary at Chicago. Afterward, in 
October, 1889, he opened an office at Trenton, 
Mo., and there remained until the early part of 
1892, when he located in Brookfield. He was mar- 
ried June 3, 1892, at St. Joseph, Mo., to Miss Lillie 
M. Coykendal, of Waverl}', Iowa, a graduate of 
the Eclectic Business College of St. Joseph, Mo. 
Dr. McChcsney has built up an extensive practice, 
and in the spring of 1893 will be at the head of 
the largest sanitarium in the West. The excep- 
tional advantages he has enjoyed, the skill he 
displays, and the many cures he has effected, have 
gained for him a public confidence that rarely 
comes until after long years. 



^ AMES R. EATON, A. B., A. M., Pii. D., Pro- 

I fessor of Natural Sciences in AVilliam Jewell 
^^ I College, was born at Hamilton, Madison 
^fj County, N. Y., December 11, 1834. He is a 
son of Rev. Dr. George W. Eaton, of whom an ex- 
tended notice is presented in this connection. 
Dr. James R. p]aton received his general education 
at the Madison University of New York, from 
which he graduated in IS.'iG with the degree of 
Bachelor of Arts. Immediately' following his 
graduation from Madison University he entered 
Hamilton Theological Seminary of the Baptist 
Church, in which he continued as a student for a 
period of two years, graduating in 1858 with the 
degree of Master of Arts. Well recommended for 
ripe scholarship and for the natural characteristics 
necessaiy to a useful and successful career .as an 
educator, Prof. Eaton was tendered in 1858 the 
Chair of Adjunct-Professor of Mathematics and 
Natural Sciences in the Union University at Mur- 
freesboro, Tenn., which he accepted, lie filled 



452 



POxiTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



that position and discliarged the duties which it 
imposed with ability and eminent satisfaction to 
all concerned for two years. 

Prof. Eaton was then offered and accepted the 
professorship of Ancient Languages in Bethel Col- 
lege, of Russellville, Ky. The events of the war, 
however, soon unsettled affairs in Kentucky so 
much as to suspend the college in 1861, and he left 
the State. Returning to New York, he soon af- 
terward received the ap)»ointment of Superinten- 
dent of the advertising department and of the 
foreign mail delivery in the post-office of the 
Cit3' of Xew York. He continued at the head of 
that department in the New York City post-office 
until the close of the war. However, he found 
official life in the civil service of the Government 
by no means as congenial as the profession of 
teaching, and in 1866 he accepted the Chair of 
Natural Sciences in the University of Louisville, 
Ky. He continued there for three years, or until 
he came to Liberty in 1869 to enter upon the 
duties of Professor of Natural Sciences and Nat- 
ural Theology in William Jewell College, a posi- 
tion to which he had been called by the Board of 
Trustees of this institution. He has occupied that 
position continuously from that time to the pres- 
ent, a period of twenty-four years. In 1876 his 
Alma Mater, Madison University of New York, 
honored him with the degree of Doctor of Philos- 
ophy. 

The promise early given of a successful and use- 
ful career for Dr. Eaton as an educator has been 
fulfilled to an eminent degree. With him, teach- 
ing is a labor of love, the source of his greatest 
pleasure outside of his family and his church; and 
he has devoted liis life and energies to it with 
that singleness of purpose which stamps him a man 
of great nobility of character, and one fitted for 
tiie delicate and responsible duties of an educator 
— the mental and moral elevation of those com- 
mitted to his charge — not less by the native qual- 
ities of his head and heart than by his superior at- 
tainments as a scholar. For ten years he was 
President of the Board of Education of William 
Jewell College, and until he resigned the posi- 
tion. His resignation was accepted with great re- 
luctance. 



Dr. Eaton is also active and prominent in the 
Ba])tist Church and his services have been of great 
value to his denomination at Liberty, and to the 
cause of religion. Though a scientist of profound 
learning and great ability and a devoted believer 
in the great principles established bj' scientific re- 
search, unlike many of greater pretensions but of 
unquestionably less depth of thought and thor- 
oughness of investigation, he has never found 
anything to shake his faith in the Word of God, 
the doctrine of faith in Christ as contained in the 
Holj' Scriptures. On the contrary, he has ever 
found science an unerring witness for religion, the 
faithful handmaid of religious truth. Much of 
his leisure from his regular duties Dr. Eaton has 
devoted to general reading, and in the course of 
his studies of a general character he has collected 
an unusually large and valuable library, probably 
the best general library in this part of the State 
outside of the large cities. He has about fifteen 
hundred volumes, all works of solid merit, and 
most of them standard authors on the subjects of 
which they treat. In 1885 Dr. Eaton was elected 
a Fellow of the American Association for the Ad- 
vancement of Science. He is also a member of 
the Phi Beta Kappa Society. 

Dr. P>aton has an interesting and valuable col- 
lection of geological specimens, many of which he 
gathered himself in the West and elsewhere in 
the United States. He has also an interesting 
cabinet of curios of various kinds, collected from 
different parts of the world, and one of the finest 
collections of ancient and rare coins in the coun- 
try. His collection of coins, in fact, is said to be 
the best, though not the largest, outside of Eu- 
rope, and received considerable attention at the 
Louisville Exposition in 1884, where they were 
exhibited. 

June 6, 1872, Dr. Eaton was married at Liberty 
to Miss Mattie E. Lewright, a lad}' of superior ed- 
ucation and refinement. She is the daugliter of 
William P. Lewright, formerly of Virginia, and 
was born in Franklin County, Mo. Her educa- 
tion was obtained under the supervision of a pri- 
vate tutor, a gentleman who was a graduate of 
the ancient and famous University of Edinburgh, 
Scotland. Dr. and Mrs. Eaton are the parents of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



■453 



two living cliildren, Hubert L.,born June 3, 1881, 
and Mabel Elsie, June 1, 1887. Two are deceased, 
namely: Lewrig-ht B., born August 4, 1876, and 
who died March 10, 1877; and Harold W., born 
April 13, 1878, who died August 31, 1882. 

As a tribute to the memory of a well-known ed- 
ucator, we reproduce the following from the re- 
port of the Commissioners of Education of the 
I'nited States for the j'ear 1872: 

(George W. Eaton, D. D., LL. D., late Presi- 
dent of Madison (now Colgate) University, and 
Hamilton Theological Seminary, in the State of 
New York, was born near Huntingdon, Pa., July 
3, 1804. AVhen about one year old lie was taken 
by bis parents to Ohio, where he was afterward 
prepared for college and in 1822 matriculated at 
the Ohio University. After having remained at 
the universitj' for two years, his father's financial 
circumstances rendered it necessary for him to re- 
linquish his college course for a time in order that 
he might procure funds for its completion. 

With that object in view, Mr. Eaton spent two 
years teaching in Prince Edward County, Va., at 
the end of which time he made, principally on 
foot, a tour of the seaboard States, as far north as 
Massachusetts, spending some time at Princeton, 
N. J., and at Andover, Mass. In 1827 he entered 
the Junior Class of Union College at Schenectady, 
N. Y., where under tiie Presidencj' of the late 
noted Eliphalet Nott, D.D., LL.D., in 1829, he was 
graduated with the highest honors of his class. 
In college he was associated with men who have 
since risen to places of the highest eminence in 
civil life. Among his college associates he was 
highly esteemed for his unselfish disposition, his 
keen sense of honor, and his generous bearing to- 
ward those whose scholarship and college honors 
did not equal his own. 

Having won the personal regard of President 
Nott, our subject was immediately upon his grad- 
uation elected a Fellow and appointed a tutor in 
the college. In this position he remained one 
3'ear, and then in 1830, much against the wishes 
of the President, who long years afterward spoke 
of the circumstances with regret, he left the col- 
lege and becaiie the Principal of Union Academy, 
at Belleville, in the same State. Having been 



elected to the Chair of Ancient Languages in 
Georgetown (Ky.) College, in 1831, he removed 
to Georgetown, where he remained, during the 
latter part of the time acting as President, until 
1833. He was at that time called to the Profess- 
orship of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy in 
what was then known as Hamilton Literary' and 
Theological Institution, located at Hamilton, N. 
Y., a school which had for its chief object the 
training of 3'oung men designed for the ministry 
in the Baptist denomination. 

This institution was in 1846 chartered as Madi- 
son University, and by this action the theological 
seminary became so separated from the college 
that, although they occupied the same buildings, 
and some members of the theological faculty gave 
instruction also in the college, 3et the former was 
controlled by the New York Baptist Educational 
Society, and the latter became subject to regents 
appointed by the Legislature of the State. Prof. 
Eaton remained in the Chair of Mathematics and 
Natural Philosophy for four 3'ears, and at the end 
of that time, in 1837, was elected to that of Eccle- 
siastical History in the theological school. In 
1844 he received the honorary degree of Doctor 
of Divinity from his Alma Mater, and in 1850 was 
elected Professor of S3'stematic Tlieolog3'. I" 18.56 
he was elected to succeed Stephen W. Taylor, LL.D., 
deceased, as President of the university, still re- 
taining his professorship of Theolog3' in the sem- 
inary. For twelve 3'ears he performed the double 
duty: as President giving instruction in Intellec- 
tual and Moral Philosoph3', and at the same time 
continuing his lectures in Theology until 1861, 
when he exchanged Systematic Theology for 
Homiletics. 

These arduous labors were unremitting, except 
in the years 1863 and 1864, when, on account of 
failing health. Dr. Eaton sought relief in a Euro- 
pean tour, during which he labored earnestly and 
cfflcientl3' to give a true idea of the nature of the 
conflict then raging in our countr3'. In that tour 
he formed the acquaintance and secured the per- 
sonal friendship of raan3- of the most prominent 
men of Great Britain and the Continent, among 
whom were Civsar Malan, Merle D'Aiibigne, John 
Bright, Goldwiu Smith, Prof. Farrar and Dr. 



454 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



MeCosli. In 1868, his plij'sical powers having been 
so severely taxed for years, he sought relief from 
a portion of his responsibilities and therefore re- 
signed the Presidenc}' of the university, retaining 
simply that of the theological seminary, to which 
he had been elected several years before. There- 
fore he gave instruction only in Homilelics until 
1871, when he was forced to cease from all active 
labor. He died on the 3d of August, 1872. 

It is fitting that we should speak of Dr. Eaton 
as a teacher and educator. While as a writer he 
was animated, classical and glowing; while as an 
orator he was elevated, fervid and eloquent; while 
as a preacher he was catholic, tender and convinc- 
ing; and while in command of fit expressions he 
had no superior and but few equals, yet it is as an 
educator that lie deserves to be spoken of here. 
Perhaps his first and most prominent characteris- 
tic as a teacher was the enthusiastic zeal with 
which he entered every department of instruction 
to which he was called. It was his first business to 
make himself thoroughly familiar with the whole 
field of investigation, and he rested not until he 
had examined every cognate question, — encom- 
passed all that could be regarded as valuable in 
the literature of tlie subject. He could never rest 
while there was another author unread and un- 
weighed. The insatiate thirst for knowledge with 
which he began never left liim through the whole 
forty-two years during whicli he occupied the po- 
sition of teacher; and even after retirement from 
active dut^', he still seemed as anxious, as zealous 
for new truth, as unremitting in his investigations 
and readings, as wlien he first began his splendid 
career. Though he occujiied so many different 
Chairs and had occasion to pursue so many differ- 
ent courses of study, he yet seemed as much at 
home in any one of them as tliough that had been 
the one department to whicli he had given his 
life. 

Another characteristic of the teacher was the en- 
thusiasm which he always carried in the class-room 
and infused into his pupils. When he taught 
mathematics, the mathematical spirit seemed to 
pervade the school. Other professors sometimes 
complained that the attention of the student was 
given too exclusively to inatlieniatics. When he 



taught history, then history seemed to be the 
prominent subject, and historical themes would be 
presented on public occasions. When he taught 
metaphysics, it was the same thing again; ques- 
tions in metaphysical science from Kant, Cousin, 
Reid, Hamilton and McCosh came in for discuss- 
ion, criticism or approval. In theology he ad- 
hered to the milder type of the Calvinistic system, 
and as he unfolded to his classes the glorious and 
blessed doctrines of sin, redemption, atonement 
and intercession, his whole soul seemed infused 
into the subject, the tears would often stand in 
his ej'es, and rising from his chair, he would pour 
out a flood of extemporaneous eloquence, which 
sent thrills of delight as well as admiration through 
the hearts of his pupils. The memory of the 
Doctor's lectures and gushes of eloquence lives 
in the iiearts of hundreds of his pupils, as afford- 
ing some of the highest pleasures of their lives. 

In his teaching, Dr. Eaton was at the furthest 
removed from dogmatism. Every point had to be 
carefully presented, with all the pros and cons, 
and then the conclusion was drawn from the 
whole. It was his delight to set his pupils to in- 
vestigations on their own account, and they sel- 
dom left the lecture room without being sent to 
the libraries to examine some author, with the in- 
struction to bring the result of their investigation 
at a future day. The consequence of this was 
that very few of his pupils ever found occasion to 
differ with him. He treated their opinions and 
objections so courteously and presented the re- 
butting argument so kindly, that he disarmed op- 
position before it had arisen, and the objector felt 
that his points were fairly met and completely de- 
molished. 

Finally, we would mention, as further charac- 
teristics of Dr. Eaton, the strong personal attach- 
ment formed by the pupils for the teacher, and so 
warmly reciprocated on his part. It is probable 
that no man ever spent any considerable time 
under his instructions without becoming thus 
bound to him by ties of affection. His apprecia- 
tion of what was meritorious in the effort of the 
pupil, and his criticism, so kind and so just, caused 
him who had most to bear to feel that he was hon- 
ored by the strictures of his teacher; and then tlie 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



455 



s^-mpalhy willi wliich he opened bis heart to the 
trials and liardsliips of those who were contending 
with poverty, his efforts at assistance where it was 
within his power, made ttieniost desponding hope- 
ful and the weakest strong. So deep and reliable 
was this personal attachment that his government 
of the college was hardly known as such. He 
ruled by love. So seldom had he occasion to resort 
to other measures, that some even thought thaf'dis- 
(•ipline"was a nullity, and 3'et during his presidency 
he accomplished some of the most difficult feats of 
discipline which are known to college presidents. 
Wiiat has often shaken other colleges to their 
very centers and even sent away whole classes, 
was by him accomplished so quietly that some 
hardly knew what trouble existed. And it was 
l>ecause of the respect and love of the students, 
who would not wound the feelings of their presi- 
dent. 

II was always counted among the felicities of 
theahiiiini of Madison University that they were 
permitted "a shake of the Doctor's hand." His 
memory will ever be blessed as long as one of them 
survives to tell of his love for his old teacher. His 
remains he in the college cemetery, in a spot over- 
looking the scenes of his life work and the land- 
scape which he ever regarded with the fondest de- 
light. He was married September 15, 1830, to 
Miss Eliza Hanmer, daughter of George Boardraan, 
the ceremony- which united their lives being per- 
formed *t Schenectady, N. Y. She died at the 
residence of her son. Prof. .J. R. Eaton, in Libert^', 
Mo., .Tanuary 18, 1893, in the eighty-sixth year of 
her age. 



^ AMES M. HERSUEY is engaged in carrying 
I on his farm of three hundred and forty 
^^ < acres situated on sections 7 and 8, township 
(^/y 54, range 18, Chariton County. lie is a 
son of fjzra D. llershey, who was an early settler 
of the count3'. Our subject was born August 27, 
1868, on the old homestead, near which he now 
lives. His grandparents were David and Mary 



Magdalene Hershey, the former born in Washing- 
ton County, Md. In 1841, with his family, David 
Hershey started toward the setting sun, making a 
settlement in Howard Count}', Mo., where he had 
purchased land four miles west of Fayette. At 
the end of four years he sold out his propert}', re- 
moving to the forks of Chariton, where he lived 
for the same length of time, then buying half of 
section 31, Ke3'tesville Township. In the year 
1845 occurred the death of his wife, and after re- 
maining on the farm for two years longer he re- 
moved to section 8, where his death occurred in 
1860. Of his six children, four are now living: 
Christina, widow of George Cravens, who lives in 
Keytesville Township; Josei)hus, who is a resident 
of this county; Isaac, who makes his home in Cal- 
ifornia; and Ezra D. 

The father of our subject, Ezra I). Hershey, was 
born in Washington County, Md., September 14, 
1827. When fourteen j'ears of age he removed to 
Missouri with his parents and on reaching his ma- 
jority commenced to make his own way in the 
world. In 1851, he crossed the plains to Cali- 
fornia, where he followed mining and trading 
with fair success for some time, but on account of 
sickness was obliged to return home. He then en- 
gaged in farming and teaching school. In 1854, 
he married Miss Amanda Guthridge, whose father 
was an old settler, who entered land in this county 
of the Government. Mrs. Hershey was born in 
the same township where she now resides. Soon 
after his marriage, Mr. Hershey purchased a farm, 
to which he devoted himself for several years. In 
1859, going to Denver, he engaged in mining near 
that city, being gone from home for six months. 
He returned to Missouri, whence, after a short stay, 
he again returned to the mines of Colorado. In 1860 
he permanently settled on the farm which he has 
since carried on, but has several Limes made the 
trip to Colorado. In 1883, he sjient about a year 
in Kansas, where he pre-empted some land. This 
he finally sold, and in 1885 pre-empted land in 
Colorado, which he still owns. This farm, which 
comprises one hundred and sixty acres, is a desir- 
able piece of property. In addition to that, his 
farm in Missouri consists of two hundred and 
forty acres, which is highly improved, and there 



456 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Mr. Hershe}' carries on general fanning and stock- 
raising. 

Eight children were born to Ezra and Amanda 
(Guthridge) Hershey. George died at the age of 
nine years. The surviving members of the family 
lire as follows: May, wife of Charles Yancey, who 
resides on section 6, Keytesville Township; James 
M., a farmer on section 8, the same township; 
Walter, who resides two miles west of his father's 
farm; Mollie, wife of Lewis W. Wheeler, of this 
township; Ollie, who married Walter Ilorton, a 
resident of Colorado; David, a resident of Macon 
County, and Harry, who is still under the parental 
roof. 

In 1864, Mr. Hershey enlisted in the Confeder- 
ate army and in the fall of that year took part in 
Price's raid. He is a Democrat, and socially, a 
member of Chariton Lodge No. 518, A. F. & A. M., 
at Guthridge Mills. He has held the ollices of 
Senior Warden and Master of the Lodge, which 
latter oftice he has held for four years. 

The following is a brief history of the gentle- 
man whose name opens this sketch. As we have be- 
fore mentioned, he is a native of Chariton Count}-, 
and has spent his entire life in this neighborhood. 
He attended the public schools for some time, com- 
pleting his education by a two-years course at 
the Missouri State Normal. He taught in the public 
schools for two terms, after which he carried on 
his father's farm until the spring of 1887. At 
that time he went to Kansas and Colorado, and in 
the former State took up Government land, a 
tract of one hundred and sixty acres, which he 
proved up and of which he is still the owner. 
After his return to Missouri he rented the old 
homestead of his father, which he eng.aged in cul- 
tivating for three years, afterward removing to 
the farm which is now his present place of abode. 

In February, 1889, Mr. Hershey was united in 
marriage with Miss Willie Slutterer, who was 
reared and educated in the public schools of Cen- 
tralia. Mo. Their union is graced with one child, 
a son, Lloyd, who is now three years old. Mr. 
Hershey is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, in which he is a zealous worker. 

Our subject is at present the owner of five hun- 
dred acres of land, three hundred and forty of 



which form his homestead farm. It is fertile and 
highly cultivated, grain being the principal crop 
raised upon it. It is estimated that his land is 
worth about $25 per acre. He is quite largely en- 
gaged in raising live stock. Mr. Hershey is a 
Democrat by birth and education. He is a mem- 
ber of Chariton Lodge No. 513, A. F. & A. M., at 
Guthridge Mills. 



^ OHN J. BURRUS. In all ages of the world 
industry, perseverance and energy, where in- 
telligently applied, have achieved a result 
' which could only have been gained by 
having one object in view, and improving every 
opportunity to ultimately attain that object. Mr. 
Burrus is an example of what can be accomplished 
when the spirit of determination is exercised in 
connection with the every-day affairs of life. He 
comes of English stock, the family first setting 
foot on American soil in the old Colonial days. 
Michael Burrus, the grandfather, who lived in 
Virginia, assisted this country in her struggle for in- 
dependence during the War of the Revolution, but 
was in all probability born on British soil, a tradi- 
tion in the family being to the effect that he and 
three brothers came to this country at the same 
time. He was a carpenter by trade and for many 
years followed that occupation in Culpeper 
County, Va., where he reared his family, but he 
was called from his life at the home of his son in 
Howard County, Mo., at the patriarchal age of 
ninety j'ears. 

John Burrus, son of JMichael and father of John 
J., was born in Culpeper County, Va., August 5, 
1779, and in the county of his birth his boyhood 
days were passed in acquiring an education 
and in also serving a seven years' appren- 
ticeship at the tanner's trade, which occupa- 
tion he followed in Henry County until his 
removal from the Old Dominion, being the owner 
of a tanning establishment of his own, in connec- 
tion with which he also carried on farming to some 
extent. lie was married to Deborah Thomas, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



457 



of Henry County, Va., about the year 1808, and 
in the spring of 1834 started on a pilgrimage 
Westward. T>iking the looks of the country' in 
Howard County, Mo., he purchased a farm two 
miles south of where Glasgow is now located, 
where he raised the various cereals and also to- 
bacco. In the fall of 1864 he took up his residence 
in the town, wlieie he died April 21, 1865. Upon 
coming to Missouri he brought a number of 
negroes with him from his old home in Virginia, 
and here used them to good advantage on his 
fine farm of four hundred acres, on which liis wife 
died Marcli 14, 1842. His second wife was Miss 
Julia Dicken, who died August 7, 1864, witliout 
issue. To his first union those children were given : 
Abigail, the deceased wife of Horatio Kallam; 
Nancy; Michael, who died in Carroll County, Mo.; 
Austin, deceased; Bartliolomew; Ruth; Mary, who 
died at the age of fifteen years; John J., and Peter 
F. Of this family our subject is the only survivor. 
Austin was accidentally killed while out hunting 
in Missouri. Bartholomew was killed by a run- 
away team in Nebraska City, Neb. Peter F. was 
murdered near Vandalia, 111., October 20, 1864, 
while on his way to St. Louis with four horses to 
sell, and his bod3' was found buried a month and 
eight days later, 1*2,000 in money and three horses 
being missing. The Emancipation Proclamation 
crippled Mr. Burrus very severely financiallj-, for 
much of his property was in slaves, and all he 
had at the close of the war was liis bare land. He 
and his brother George were both in the War of 
1812, stationed at Norfolk, Va. He was a member 
of the Christian Church, and politically a Demo- 
crat. 

John J. Burrus was born in Henry County, A^a., 
on the 23d of June, 1827, but at the time of his 
parents' removal Westward he came with them, 
being at that time about seven years of age. 
The journey was made overland by means of two 
four-horse wagons, and a one-horse wagon in 
which the mother rode, the whole being looked 
after by seven or eight negroes. Owing to the 
fact that the country was very thinly settled they 
camped out while on the journey. In 1849 John 
J. Burrus was taken with a severe case of gold 
fever, and on the 2 1st of April of that year left 



Missouri, and reached Sacramento City on the 21st 
of September. They took the old Oregon route 
north of Salt Lake City and made the entire 
journey with ox-teams. They were considerably 
troubled by the Indians stampeding their cattle, 
Init on the whole the company with which Mr. 
Burrus made that long and toilsome journey was 
comparatively lucky. He mined while in Cali- 
fornia in company with his brother Peter, but 
tliey returned to the States in 1853 via the Isthmus 
of Panama and New Orleans with $3,000 more to 
their credit than when they started. They each 
purchased land in the vicinity of where Mr. Burrus 
now lives, and on his land he continued to reside 
for two years. He was under contract with some 
parties in California to take over the plains a large 
drove of cattle, for which he was to receive iilOO 
per month and have the privilege of taking one 
hundred head of his own cattle. This expedition 
was accomplished, but his brother Peter went in 
his stead, as the two weie in partnership; this 
partnership however was dissolved. after the lat- 
ter 's return. 

Mr. Burrus purchased a one-half section of land 
at old Mendon, where he lived until 1867, losing 
during the Civil War all his personal property, and 
at the end of the conflict he found himself with 
nothing but his bare land to call his own. This, 
however, he sold in 1867 for ^10,000, with which 
he purchased one hundred and sixty acres where 
he now lives, some two or three years later purchas- 
ing three hundred and twenty more near bis home 
place, of which he is still the owner. His residence, 
which is a large and handsome frame building, is 
situated on a rising piece of ground and is sur- 
rounded by a beautiful lawn dotted with shade 
trees and shrubbery, while the outbuildings are all 
of a very substantial and useful character. For 
the past seven or eight years he has given consid- 
erable attention to the raising of cattle, horses 
and mules. Since the age of eighteen years he 
has made his own way in the world, and that he 
has made a success of his life is very plainly evi- 
dent. In June, 1856, he married Miss Elizabeth 
Martin, a daughter of Caleb and Frances Martin, 
she being the eldest child, born and reared with- 
in one mile of Old Mendon. To their union 



458 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



these children were given: Deborah, wife of A. 
W. f4illain, of Carroll County; John C, at home; 
Frances, who died at the age of two years; Austin, 
wiio also died at about that age; Nannie, at home; 
and Elizabeth and Lulu, who are engaged in teach- 
ing school. 

Although Mr. Burrus' early educational oppor- 
tunities were poor, his natural intelligence and 
quick native wit in a great measure made uji for 
this deficiency, but he resolved that his children 
should never lack advantages, and all have re- 
ceived good practical educations, especially Eliza- 
beth and Lulu, who were students in Hardin Col- 
lege at Mexico, Mo., and the Pritchett Insti- 
tute of Glasgow. Miss Nannie remains at the 
head of her father's household, for on the 21st of 
October, 1877, he sustained an irreparable loss in the 
death of his wife, she having lingered four years 
with consumption. fShe Was a member of the Chris- 
tian Church, and an earnest believer in the Bible. 
Mr. Burrus has since remained a widower, never 
caring to replace the wife of his youth, and finds 
his chief enjoyment in the society of his children. 
He is a Democrat, and a member of the same 
church as was his wife. He dislikes very much to 
see a good and deserving enterprise fail for want 
of support and can always be relied upon to give 
substantial aid to the same. 



'^—^^' 



ilk^ ELVIN FIELD. As a man of business, Mr. 
Field's name and fame are co-extensive 
with Clay County, Mo. Every step of his 
financial and commercial career has been 
illustrated with .acts of liberality'. With each vital 
interest of his section and his people, he has been 
closely identified, and he is a proper representative 
of the live, energetic business man. He was born 
in Boone County, Ky., four miles from Peters- 
burgh, November 19, 1828, a son of Henry AV. S. 
Field, whose birth occurred in Virginiaabout 1800. 
He became a resident of Howard County, Mo., 
when the subject of this sketch was about one j'ear 
old, but later took up his residence on a farm in 



Liberty Township, Clay County, which is now 
owned by Mrs. Brady and on which he died. He 
was married to Miss Jane Percival, of Kentucky 
birth, whose parents were born in the New Eng- 
land States, and their union resulted in the birth 
of three sons, of whom the subject of this sketch 
was the eldest. Jasper died in St. Joseph, Tex., at 
the age of fifty-eight years, leaving a family. He 
was the owner of a stock farm and a large mer- 
cantile house, and after his death left a handsome 
property to be divided among his children. New- 
ton, the youngest brother, went from Clay County 
to Kansas, but after losing his wife in that State 
he returned to Clay County and some time later 
removed with his children to St. Joseph, Tex., 
where he is engaged in the ministerial labors of 
the Christian Church, and also gives considerable 
attention to agriculture. These three brothers 
were very warmly attached to each other and in 
weight differed only about two pounds. 

Melvin Field remained at home with his parents 
until he was sixteen years of age, at which time 
his widowed mother married Thomas E. Perry, of 
Howard County, Mo., after which he and his two 
brothers lived with them for about one year, and 
then started to do for themselves. His educational 
opportunities were limited to the common schools, 
and then onl}' to the winter terms, but he was very 
industrious, persevering, ambitious and naturally 
intelligent, and at the age of seventeen years re- 
turned to Clay County to make his own way in 
life. Two years later he went to his birthplace in 
Kentucky on a visit, and after his return to Clay 
County in 1854 he was married to Miss Mary Ann 
Withers, a daughter of George and Martha (Price) 
AVithers, and in due course of time six children 
were born to this union: Newton W., who was ac- 
cidentally shot and killed at the age of nineteen 
years; Edward, who died in childhood; George T., 
who is nowa resident of Kansas City, Mo.; Mattie, 
who is also a resident of that place; Walter, who 
is now in Montana; and Marj' R., a resident of 
Kansas City. The mother of these children was 
called from life after a lingering illness resulting 
from a cancer, her death taking place soon after 
the performance of a surgical operation. She was 
an exemplar}' woman in every particular, a model 




jLy&^u^iJ' ^^T^^^n-^ 



^^£h^ ^ ^ ^W!l<^£yyJul/ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



461 



wife and mother and a faithful friend, and at the 
time of her death was an earnest member of the 
Christian Cliurch. 

In 1888, Mr. Field took for his second wife Miss 
Lou Robinson, whose father is a well-known resi- 
dent of Jackson County, Mo., she being one of his 
eleven children, five sons and six daughters. Mr. 
Field has spent about one-half of his life as a fol- 
lower of mercantile pursuits, is prominent and re- 
spected in the trade, and is well worthy of the suc- 
cess achieved, being at all times responsible and re- 
liable, as his large trade would indicate. He gives 
his whole time and attention to the interests of 
his patrons, who receive his prompt and careful at- 
tention, while his many worthy characteristics 
have won him numerous warm personal friends. 
His judgment has led him to support the princi- 
ples of Democracy on all occasions, but he is by no 
means a political aspirant, although he has always 
been interested in political matters. He is an ear- 
nest member of the Christian Church and a man 
of exemplary habits. 



*■ f f^i 



W GUIS C. F. STUENKEL, a retired merchant 
I (^ of Bucklin, is a notable example of Amer- 
/IL^ ica's self-made men. He has surmounted 
all difficulties in his pathway and from a small be- 
ginnmg has risen to a position of importance and 
wealth, entirely through his own native qualities 
of perseverance and energ3'. Our subject is the 
son of George H. F- Stuenkel, a native of Hesse- 
Cassel, Germany, where he was a leading teacher 
for fifty-five years. He received several honorary 
medals from the Government for his methods and 
superior manner of teaching. The mother of our 
subject was in her maidenhood Miss Amalia 
Schoof. She was also born in Hesse-Cassel, Ger- 
man}', and received the benefits of a superior edu- 
cation. Both parents spent their lives in the Fa- 
therland, and of their six living children of a fam- 
ily of fourteen our subject is the only one who 
resides in America. 

Mr. Stuenkel, of this sketcii, was born June 28, 
1836, in Hesse-Cassel, where lie resided until nine- 

23 



teen years of age. He received a good German 
education and studied both Latin and French. His 
fatiier intended him to adopt the ministry and 
therefore gave him exceptional advantages. For 
a short time before leaving his native land, our 
subject worked in a tannery operated by his 
brother. In 1855, crossing the Atlantic, he landed 
in New York City, from where he went to St. 
Louis, working for a short time in both cities. In 
1858, he purchased a farm on section 14, township 
57, range 18, in Linn County, Mo., near the city 
of Bucklin. This tract was all wild land, consist- 
ing of both timber and prairie, and to its cultiva- 
tion he devoted his energies until 1862. 

Being a strong S3'mpathizer with the Union 
cause, Mr. Stuenkel came nobly to the defense of 
his adopted land and in the fall of 1862 enlisted 
in Company G, Second Missouri Cavalry. The 
previous year he had assisted in raising this com- 
pany in the locality of his home. Joining tlie corn- 
pan}' at Macon City, he went with them to "Mexico, 
Mo., thence to Warrensburgh and Paris in this 
State, and from there to St. Louis and Pilot Knob. 
He took part in a number of battles and skirmishes, 
chief among which we mention the following: 
Bayou Meta, Little Rock, Arkadelphia and skirm- 
ishes in the vicinity of Little Rock. He was escort 
to Gens. Davidson, Carr and Steele. Going to 
Memphis, his company was then sent to Atlanta 
and Chattanooga. For three years and two weeks 
he was a faithful and valiant soldier and has never 
seen cause to regret having taken up arms in de- 
fense of the land he has learned to love so well. 
He was mustered out at Memphis, Tenn. 

Returning to liis home on leaving the army, 
Mr. Stuenkel found that his farm had been stripped 
during his absence. He therefore located in Buck- 
lin, where he opened a bakery and later a livery 
stable. In 1870, he embarked in the mercantile 
business, and some time later took George Mane- 
wal into partnership with him. They erected a 
fine brick store building, whicii they still own. In 
the spring of 1889, our subject retired from the 
firm and has since been occupied in looking after 
his property. He owns a farm of four hundred 
and forty acres, which is largely under cultivation. 
In Bucklin, he is the owner of five residences, two 



462 



POKTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



business blocks, and a livery stable, also two vacant 
lots. He is President of the stock company which 
has a factory in the village for the manufacture 
of window blinds, and is also a stockholder and 
Director in the bank of Bucklin. 

In 1868, Mr. Stuenkel was united in marriage 
with Elizabeth Manewal, a sister of George Mane- 
wal, whose sketch appears on another page of this 
work. The lady was born in 1848, in Ilesse-Darm- 
stadt, Germany. They have had seven children, 
two of whom are deceased. The other members of 
the family are as follows: Louis, Carl, Emma, Will- 
iam and Otelia. They have all been well educated 
and are musically inclined. In their pleasant 
home can be found a fine ])iano and organ, on both 
of which instruments Miss Emma is a good per- 
former. 

Our subject and his family hold membership 
with the Lutheran Church. The former is a mem- 
ber of the Masonic order, being Treasurer of the 
Blue Lodge at this place. He is also a member of 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having 
passed all the Chairs and served several terms as 
Noble Grand. For the past fifteen years he has been 
a member of the School Board and for ten years has 
been Trustee of the township. He has held the 
office of President of the Townsliip Board and has 
also been Alderman for several terms. He is a 
stanch Republican and is justly numbered among 
the live business men of the town. In 1881, in 
company with his wife, he made a trip to his na- 
tive land, and spent four months in visiting the 
scenes of his youth. 



VILLIAM N. McKlNNEY, a prominent cit- 
izen and the efficient senior editor of The 
Excelsior Standard, a leading Democratic 
paper of Clay County, Mo., is a native of the 
State, and was born in Andrew County, July 25, 
1857. Our subject is widely known as an able 
editorial writer of extended information, broad 
intelligence and liberal views, and is strong in 
argument, convincing in logic and pleasing in 



style. Removing with his parents to Clay County 
in 1866, he was reared in this part of Missouri, 
and received his education in the excellent schools 
of his home locality. His father, Charles Mc- 
Kinney, was born in Wayne County, Ky., in 1831, 
and made his home in Missouri in 1850, three 
years later, in 1853, marrying Miss Lucinda Culp, 
a daughter of Nathan Culp, one of the honored 
pioneer settlers of Missouri. Seven children 
blessed the home of our subject's fatiier, but three 
of the little ones, Johnnie, Emma and Ada Green, 
died in infancy. 

The four who survived to mature years were: N. 
B. McKinney, the eldest brother, who passed away 
at twenty-seven years of age, in November, 1882; 
Annie died in 1886, aged nineteen 3-ears; in Sept- 
ember, 1887, sister Bettie, twenty-six j-ears of 
age, also died, leaving our subject, William, the 
sole representative of the once happy family who 
in days of yore had clustered about the parents' 
fireside. The beloved mother died after a life of 
Christian usefulness in July, 1887. The father, 
during the gold excitement of 1852, took the 
long overland trip, traveling by ox-teams across 
the plains. He made some money by the venture, 
and enjoyed the many novel and exciting experi- 
ences incidental to the journey. 

William N. McKinney and Miss Georgia A. Cra- 
ven were united in marriage August 26, 1881). 
Two bright and promising little sons have brought 
sunshine into the pleasant home of our subject 
and his estimable and accomplished wife. Clar- 
ence, the elder of the brothers, was born June 24, 
1880. Curtis, the ^youngest, was born October 12, 
1890. 

Mr. McKinney has been variously engaged dur- 
ing his business career. He was for some length 
of time busily occupied in handling merchandise, 
and afterward profitably entered into the pursuit 
of agriculture. For six years he devoted himself 
to editorial work in Excelsior Springs, and for the 
jiast three years has been engaged upon the Stand- 
ard, and has been the main architect in laying the 
broad foundations for the prosperous future of 
this excellent paper, which already enjoys an ex- 
tended and rapidly increasing circulation. A 
Ihoroughly Democratic organ, reliable and str.aiglit- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



463 



forward, the Standard is gaining favorable recog- 
nition and patronage from "the partj'," and is 
appreciated by the general public, who find much 
local and outside news, spic}' items and bright 
editorials within the attractive and readable col- 
umns. The Standard is the property of McKinney 
it Craven, editors and proprietors, who devote 
their paper to "news, truth and business." Our 
subject has from his earliest manhood been with 
word and pen one of the most important factors 
in the promotion of local enterprises and public 
improvements, and as a progressive citizen of 
high integrity has worthily won the confidence 
and regard of a large circle of old-time friends 
and acquaintances. 



Tf. • ENRY C. SASSE, an energetic, enterprising 

and extensive agriculturist, owning one 
tiiousand and eight}' acres in his home 
farm, located on section 35, township 52, 
range I'J, Chariton County, Mo., is a native of this 
part of the State, and was born in Brunswick, 
Chariton County, in 1852. His father, Ciiarles 
Sasse, was for many j'ears widely known in this 
neighborhood as an industrious, thrifty and hard- 
working citizen, worthy of respect and confidence. 
Charles Sasse was a native of Germany, and was 
educated in his Fatherland, but early resolved to 
make America his permanent home. In 1840, bid- 
ding adieu to all the scenes of youth, he embarked 
for the United States, and having accomplished the 
swift voyage across the ocean, journeyed from 
New York to St. Louis. 

From St. Louis, the father of our subject trav- 
eled to Illinois, locating in Belleville, where he 
spent two years working at his trade of shoe-maker. 
After leaving Belleville, he soon settled in Bruns- 
wick, Chariton County, Mo., where for eight years 
he steadily followed the business of shoe-making. 
At the expiration of this length of time hebouglit 
the valuable homestead upon which he continued 
to remain until his death, August 15, 1871, when 
he passed away universally lamented as an excel- 
lent citizen nnd kind friend and neighl)f)r. When 



he first came to St. Louis, he was literally without 
one cent, in fact was utterly penniless. His cour- 
age and self-reliance were all his capital with which 
to begin iiis life in America. He conquered all 
difficulties and won his way upward until he had 
not only achieved a comfortable competence for 
himself, but had also liberally provided for his 
family. 

In 1845, Charles Sasse was united in marriage 
with Miss Mary Mansen,also a native of Germany. 
This estimable lady became the mother of seven 
children: Mar}', Mrs. F. Kalinka, was the eldest; 
Eliza is Mrs. George Heckler: Lena is Mrs. Her- 
man Korflf, a widow; Henry C. is our subject; 
William T. resides at home. Two children of 
the family died young. Grandfather Mansen and 
his wife, Grandmother Minnie Mansen, lived with 
their daughter upon the homestead, and, although 
both were natives of Germany, had spent many 
years in this countiy when they passed away, each 
about seventy-five 3'ears of age. When Mr. 
Charles Sasse purchased the farm, he paid $6 
per acre, most of the land being in its primi- 
tive condition, and few, if any, improvements hav- 
ing been made thereon. The present owner, our 
subject, would not sell under $50 per acre, nor is 
he anxious to make a sale even at that price. 

The homestead now contains a commodious resi- 
dence and substantial barns and outbuildings. 
There are seventy-five head of mixed cattle, twenty 
head of work mules, a team of fine driving horses, 
and several other head of colts and horses, all housed 
upon the farm, which is entirely under the super- 
vision of Hem-}' Sasse. Our subject has eight hun- 
dred acres, all in a high state of cultivation, some 
of wliicli he now rents, but the greater part of the 
land is entirely within his full control. He takes 
an active interest in the affairs of the da}', and is 
prominent in local enterprise, and was for some 
time one of the Directors of the National Bank of 
Brunswick, and still holds stock in the same finan- 
cial institution. Mr. Sasse has never married, but 
is a social favorite, and a liberal giver in the good 
work of the Lutlieran Church, of which he has 
long been a valued member. Politicall}', our sub- 
ject is an ardent Republican, and a firm believer in 
the pi-inci|iles of the party. Never a politician in 



464 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the common acecptation of the teim, he ever takes 
an abiding interest in the local and national issues, 
and both at the polls and by his intelligent in- 
fluence, does his duty as a true American citizen. 
Spending his whole life within the limits of tlie 
county, Mr. Sasse has been one of the main pro- 
moters in local growth and improvement, and to 
his efforts much of the rapid advancement of home 
interests is due. This fact is appreciated by his 
co-workers and the general public, which holds 
our subject in high esteem. 



^^ffli 



I). ROBEHTSON, ex-Postmaster of Tina, 
is a popular druggist in that place. He 
is of Scotch-Irish extraction and was born 
in Westmoreland County, Va., June 15, 
1839. His paternal grandfather was Thomas Rob- 
ertson, who settled in Virginia in the last cen- 
tury. He is a sou of Oscar F. and Eliza P. 
(Claughton) Robertson, both natives of the Old 
Dominion. The father removed to Livingston 
County, Mo., in 1845. 

The subject of this sketch was but six 3-ears of 
age when he removed from his birthplace to the 
West, where he attended the common schools and 
assisted his father in the work of the farm. He is 
one of sis children, and, as he was the eldest 
son, an extra share of labor devolved upon Ins 
young shoulders. After leaving school he suc- 
cessfully taught in the schools of this county for 
some fourteen years. In 1873 Mr. Rol)ertson en- 
gaged in the drug business at Bedford, Mo., 
which enterprise he carried on for a number of 
years. In 1884 he removed to Tina, which has 
since been his home. He continues in the drug- 
business, and is one of the active merchants of 
the town. 

In 1886 Mr. Robertson was appointed Post- 
master of Tina, which position he held for three 
years to the satisfaction of his fellow-townsmen. 
As might be inferred from his devoting so many 
years to educational affairs, he is much inter- 
ested in our invaluable school system, and is 
now Clerk of the Board of Directors of Public 



Schools. Politically, he is affiliated with the Dem- 
ocratic part}'. He is member, and has been Finan- 
cier for the past five years, of Tina Lodge No. 
361, A. O. U. W. 

In 1865 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Rob- 
ertson and Miss Mary Collett, of Carroll County. 
To them was born a son, Henry, who is a well- 
known citizen of Tina. Mrs. Robertson was called 
from this life in 1878, and in the following year 
Mr. Robertson wedded his present wife. Miss Mary 
J. Richerson, who was born in Kentucky. Their 
three children are all daughters, who are called 
respectively-: Anna, Blanche and Eflie. Our sub- 
ject and his estimable wife hold membership with 
the Baptist Church, in which they are valued 
workers. -In 1893, when the village of Tina was 
incorporated, he was appointed one of the Trus- 
tees and elected Chau'man of the Board. 



^^^^■<^m 



^ AMES S. DUNCAN is engaged in the sad- 
dlerj- and harness business in Browning, 
Linn County. He is a native of Scotland, 
and was reared in the northern part of 
that famous country. His parents were William 
and Barbara (Shand) Duncan, who were also born 
in the same land, and the former of whom was a 
farmer by occupation. He removed to Pennsyl- 
vania in 1873, in which State he is still engaged 
in agricultural pursuits. Our subject is one of 
nine sons. He has one sister, Barbara. 

Mr. Duncan received a good education in both 
general, scientific and musical directions. For a 
number of j^ears he has been a teacher of instru- 
mental music, giving lessons on various instru- 
ments. He has been an intelligent reader and 
keeps thoroughly abreast of the times. At the 
age of twelve years he commenced to learn the 
trade of harness and saddle making, and for six 
years worked in various parts of England and Ire- 
land. 

When eighteen years of age, our subject con- 
cluded to emigrate to the New World, believing 
that wider opportunities were there offered to 
young men of enterprise and business ability. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



465 



Crossing the Atlantic, he landed in New York 
City in Mavcli, 18611. For a short time he re- 
mained in the East, and thence went to Pennsyl- 
vania and some of the Western States on a pros- 
pecting tour, in search of a place where he 
could locate to the best advantage. He came to 
IJrowning in 1876, engaging in his present busi- 
ness, which be has since increased to its present 
proportions. In 1884 he purchased land in this 
county, which he improved and afterward sold. 
He purchased a farm at $12 an acre and sold the 
same at an increase of 18 an acre. He is a practi- 
cal bee-keeper, importer and breeder of Italian 
bees and queens, and is considered an expert in 
bee culture. 

The first marriage of IMr. Duncan was celebrated 
in 1880 with Miss Sallie Johnson, of Linn Count}', 
and to them were born two sons, James Arthur 
and Harry Lee. His first wife having died, Mr. 
Duncan was again married, in 1887, this time to 
Mary Vanhorn. 

Mr. Duncan is a Sciiool Director of the Brown- 
ing district, and is a member of Browning Lodge 
No. 373, I. O. O. F., and a member of the Ancient 
Order of United Workmen, He is an advocate of 
the Democratic part}'. 



^ D. HYDE. Among the principal land- 
I (^ owners and influential farmers of Chariton 
JIL^^, County the gentleman whose name beads 
this sketch is prominent. He has always been a 
very active business man and in his various ven- 
tures has shown much forethought and sagacity. 
His home is on section 33, township 54, range 18, 
of this county. He was born on his father's old 
homestead in 1849, and there passed his boyhood 
and youth, lie received much of his education at 
Keytesville and at the age of eighteen years started 
out to make his own way. From 1873 until 1880, 
he resided in that citj', where he was engaged 
principally in loaning monej'. In 1879, he re- 
moved to his present farm, where he erected a large 
and handsome lu'ick house, wliicli adds greatly to 
the appearance of the f.arni. 



On July 3, 1873, Mr. H3'de married Miss Marj' 
A. Garnett, a sister of the esteemed Dr. Garnett, 
wLose sketch appears in another portion of this 
work. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Hyde has been 
blessed with a family of seven children, of whom 
six are living. Tiiey are as follows: Riciiard S., 
Annie E., .Sallie B., MoUie, Claud L. and O.arnett. 
One child died in infancj'. 

Mr. Hyde in addition to his farm, which com- 
prises six hundred and sixty-five acres, is also 
owner of considerable propert}- in Kansas City. In 
his business career, lie has met with marked success, 
his methods being correct and his judgment clear. 
He belongs to one of the best families in the 
county and is himself a leading man. Since be- 
coming a voter, he has cast his ballot with the 
Democratic party. 



"ip^EWTON LONG is one of the most exten- 
I /// sive and wealthy farmers and stock-raisers 
/1\^ of the county. His home is located on sec- 
tion 27, township .56, range 20, Chariton County. 
Beginning in life without means, he has been per- 
severing and industrious, thus accumulating his 
present fortune. He is now the owner of four 
thousand acres of land, which is all under good 
cultivation, well fenced, and, with the exception of 
four hundred acres, is situated in one body. 

Our subject was born July 18, 1846, in Mason 
County, W. Va., and was a son of Isaac and An- 
geline (Grice) Long, both natives of West Vir- 
ginia, where tliey grew to maturity and were mar- 
ried. The father removed to Missouri in tlie 
spring of 18,55, making a settlement in Mendon 
Township, this county. He was a farmer b}- oc- 
cupation and remained in the West until 1864, 
when he returned to the State of his birth, where 
he is still living on the farm where he was born. 
He and his wife are now both seventy years of age. 
Their family comprised three children, of whom 
two are now living: our subject and a sister, Mrs. 
Mary Thorn berg. The mother has for many years 
been connected with tiie Baptist Churcli. 



466 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Mr. Long, whose name heads this sketch, was 
nine 3'ears of age wlien brought by his parents to 
Missouri. He attended a log schoolhouse in the 
ueiglihorhood of his father's farm and was for nine 
months a student at the New Antioeh Seminary 
in Oliio. He was reared tu farm life and com- 
menced for himself at the age of nineteen 3'ears 
on the very farm which has since been his place of 
abode. His father, liaving returned to the East, 
placed him in charge of his extensive farm, com- 
prising some eighteen hundred acies. In 1870 he 
received eight hundred acres of this land from his 
father, and to this nucleus he has constantly added 
until he is now the owner of four thousand acres 
of good farming land, all of which is being culti- 
vated. A portion of this he carries on himself, 
renting the remainder. 

For a number of j'cars our subject has made a 
specialtj' of raising cattle, and at the present writ- 
ing (1893) is feeding seven hundred head. He 
owns a fine herd of Hereford cattle, which are 
thoroughbreds, and on nine of these he took the 
medal at the State Fair of 1892. He has seventy' 
of these superior animals. He is also an extensive 
raiser of flue horses, and among these are two 
thoroughbred Clydesdales and two "Mambrino 
Chief" horses. He has a number of very fine 
young trotters, and in all owns upward of one 
hundred horses. On his farm ma^- also be found four 
hundred head of fine-grade hogs. 

In 188G Mr. Long erected a fine, modern farm 
residence at a cost of §10,000, and three substan- 
tial barns. He is progressive in his ideas and uses 
the most improved machinery' in carrj'ing on the 
work of his farm, which is a model one in every 
respect. He helped to organize the bank at Cun- 
ningham, which was afterward removed to Men- 
don, and is now known as the Bank of Mendon. 
Its capital stock is $10,000, and from the start he 
has been its President. Mr. Long has 14,000 in- 
vested in the Montana Chariton County Stock 
Range, wliich Is situated in the State of Montana. 

In 1867 Mr. Long was married to Miss Mary 
Lottridge. Mrs. Long is finely educated, was born 
in the Empire State, and is a daughter of Robert 
Lottridge, wiio is now deceased. To our worthy 
subject and wife were born a son and daughter: 



Cora A., wife of E. B. Kellogg; and Harry, who 
is unmarried and resides at home. 

Though voting the Democratic ticket, Mr. 
Long is not a great partisan and takes but lit- 
tle interest in political affairs. He is a member of 
the Masonic order and has served as Master of the 
Blue Lodge, and is also a member of the Chapter 
and Commandery at Brookfleld. He holds mem- 
bership with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows at Mendon, and also with the Ancient Order 
of United Workmen of the same town. 



SA D. BRASHER. Among the highly 
honored and reputable citizens of Ray 
County, Mo., who in discharging the va- 
^J* rious duties of life have acquired honor- 

able distinction, is Asa D. Brasher, who is well 
worthy of respect and consideration. He has 
been exceptionally successful in the accumulation 
of worldly goods, and his magnificent farm attests 
by its productiveness the thrift, system and en- 
ergy which have ever marked the owner. Mr. 
Brasher was born in Guilford County, N. C, on the 
25th of .Tune, 1816, a son of Z. D. and Lucy (Ma- 
gee) Brasher, who were also North Carolinians, 
the death of the father occurring in the State of 
his birth. The mother was born in 1791, and 
about 1827 she removed to Missouri by wagon 
with her six children, and about 1832 settled in 
Ray County. She immediately located on a farm, 
and there this courageous pioneer woman braved 
the hardships, privations and dangers incident to 
life in a new country, in order that her children 
might have homes of their own. She reared her 
famil}' to maturity' and had the satisfaction of see- 
ing them in homes of their own, and in a fair way 
to a prosperous future, prior to her death, July 
27, 1877, when eightj'-six j^ears of age. 

Asa D. Brasher is possessed of a fair education, 
nearly all of which was acquired by close study at 
home, with a limited amount of private schooling. 
He was twelve years of age on coming to Missouri, 
and being one of the eldest of the famil}', like a du- 
tiful son he devoted his early daj's to assisting his 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



467 



widowed mother in managing the farm and in 
looking after tiie younger members of the family, 
which course he faithfully- continued to pursue un- 
til his marriage with Miss Elizabeth Gordon, daugh- 
ter of Benjamin Gordon, of Kentucky', who event- 
ually became a farmer of Ra}' County, Mo., where 
he died. Their union was celebrated on the 
4th of August, 1837, after which thej' immedi- 
ately took up their residence on a farm that Mr. 
Brasher had entered from the Government, and at 
once commenced the work of improvement. The 
work for many 3'ears was decidedly laborious, for 
a large portion of the land was covered with tim- 
ber, but in Mr. Brasher's vocabulary there was no 
such word as "fail," and his persistent effortssoon 
accomplished wonders. The might}^ monarch of the 
forest was laid low by the sturdy stroke of his 
axe, the land was cleared and tilled, and in the 
place of woods and brush, now may be seen wav- 
ing fields of grain during the summer seasons. 
This land was purchased with monej' saved while 
working for 19 per month, and as his circumstances 
improved he increased his possessions and eventu- 
ally became the owner of over twelve hundred 
acres of Ray Count}' land, a large portion of 
which was improved. He has given each of his 
children a finely improved farm, and now in his 
declining 3'ears has the unbounded satisfaction of 
seeing them all comfortably established in life and 
self-supporting. He has in his possession about 
fire hundred acres of fine river bottom land, all of 
which is in one body in Orrick Township, with 
the exception of seventy acres lying northeast of 
Richmond. 

Mr. Brasher was formerly an old-line Whig in 
politics, but is now a supporter of Democratic prin- 
ciples, but by no means an aspirant for office, for 
the duties of his calling have fully occupied his at- 
tention, and the strife and turmoil of political 
life have no charms for him. He is President of 
the Citizens' Exchange Bank of Orrick, and is a 
large stockholder in the same. Socially he is a 
member of Ada Lodge No. 444, A. F. & A. M. 
and is a strong pillar in the Christian Church , 
of which his wife and mother were also mem- 
bers. He was called upon to mourn the death of 
his wife .lul}' 21, 1889, she having been an in- 



valid for ten or twelve years. She became the 
mother of eight children, six of whom are living: 
Amanda, Mrs. V. G. Ross, died in 1872, leaving 
one daughter; Georgie, Mrs. Benjamin F. Ralph, 
died in 1880, leaving one son; Mary, Mrs. M. G. 
Taylor, was born in 1842; Benjamin, born in 
1848; Laura, Mrs. R. H. McAVhorter, was born in 
1850; Cornelia, Mrs. T. R. Kirkpatrick, was born 
in 1856; Dora L. was born in 1862, and Asa D. in 
1865. 

Mr. Brasher is a ver}' active man, both plij-si- 
cally and mentally, for one of his years, and makes 
it a point to keep well posted on the current top- 
ics of the day, believing it much better to "wear 
out than rust out." During the Civil War he was 
a Southern s^'mpathizer but took no active part 
in the conflict. He was at one time a slave-owner 
and prior to the Emancipation Proclamation 
owned ten Africans. A short time prior to the 
close of the war his residence and all his furniture 
were burned. He and a brother who resides in Cal- 
ifornia are the only surviving members of his par- 
ents' family. He was but five years of age at the 
time of his father's death, and says that had it not 
been for the wise counsels and firm rule of his no- 
ble mother, his efforts would never have met witii 
the success that they have. 



^^|NDREW F. OWEN, one of the prominent 
(.©zyl business men of Keytesville, is the senior 
ii member of the firm of Owen & Courtney, 
who control an extensive milling trade 
both in this and surrounding counties. 

Our subject is a son of Charles J. Owen, a lead- 
ing citizen and stock-raiser of Harrison County, 
Kj". Andrew F. was born November 28, 1843, in 
that county. He was reared to maturity on the 
farm, and received such education as could be ob- 
tained in the district schools. When nineteen 
3'ears of age he started out to make his own way, 
and for two years was employed in his uncle's 
mill at Eminence, Ky. He next engaged in farm- 
ing for two years in his native State, when he re- 
moved to Missouri, locating on a farm which he 



468 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



purchased four miles north of this city. His 
place consisted of one hundred and sixty acres, to 
the cultivation of which he devoted himself until 
1888. In September of that year he purchased 
the mill formerly owned b}' Hugo Bartz, and in 
partnership with M. F. Courtney has since operated 
the same. Its capacity' is .ibout eighty barrels of 
Hour a day, and though most of their trade is 
local, they still have considerable from the sur- 
rounding country-. 

Before leaving his native State, Mr. Owen was 
married in Harrison County to Miss Eva God- 
dard, who is the daughter of George Goddard, a' 
prominent pioneer of that county. Their union 
has been blessed with seven children, who are all 
living: Charles; Howard, who is in St. Louis; Mat- 
tie, "Walter, Claud, Ed and Edna, twins. 

Mr. Owen is a valued member of the Christian 
Church, and is also connected with the Ancient 
Order of United AVorkmen, having held the otiice 
of Master Workman of Lodge No. 177. lie uses 
his right of franchise in favor of the Democratic 
party, and is strongly in favor of F'ree Trade. 



^^EORGE P. CLEVENGER. All who were 
III ^ — acquainted with this noble man during his 
^>^^ lifetime will take much interest in the 
sketch here given, for he began life for himself 
without means, but by frugality and economy in 
early life acquired a competency, and at the time 
of his death was in good circumstances. He was 
born in Tennessee December 24, 1835, but in 
childhood was brought to Missouri by his parents, 
and was reared in a new and uninhabited country 
after the fashion of all early settlers' children, that 
is, he was compelled to assist in clearing Ihe home 
farm, endured numerous privations and hardships, 
and had little or no educational advantages. His 
chief mode of recreation was in hunting, for game 
was plentiful in those days, but aside from this 
his early da3fs were very uneventful. In due 
course of time the efforts to clear the home farm 
were crowned with success, and apparently out of 



the forest a farm sprang into existence, that in 
every respect showed the possibilities of the coun- 
tr}' and what could be accomplished by persistent 
and determined effort. It was not in Mr. Cleven- 
ger's enterprising and aspiring nature to long re- 
main in ignorance of the world of books, and 
although his opportunities for attending school 
were few and far between, by self-application he 
became a ver}' good scholar, sufHciently well ad- 
vanced, in fact, to successtullj' stem the current of 
life's battles. 

On the 18th of June, 1856, JNIiss Sarah Mc- 
Kisick, who was born September 15, 1838, became 
his wife, she being a daughter of Odel and Rachel 
McKisick, the former of whom is yet living, and 
has attained to the advanced age of eighty-seven 
>ears. The mother has been dead a number of 
3'ears. To Mr. Clevenger and his wife the follow- 
ing children were born: Benjamin, born December 
22, 1859; Mary, October 23, 1861; Martha, No- 
vember 17, 1865; Samuel, April 19, 1867; Rachel, 
February 24, 1869; Catherine A., February 20, 
1871 ; and William A., May 10, 1873; all of whom, 
with the exception of the last two, are grown and 
married, and settled within two miles of the old 
home. Catherine and William are still unmarried 
and at home. 

After his marriage, Mr. Clevenger purchased, 
cleared and improved the farm of one hundred 
and sixty acres on section 33, on which he died 
November 10, 1892, having only been sick twelve 
days, his wife at this time also lying at the point 
of death. Mr. Clevenger was a member of the 
Union armj', and having been an active parti- 
cipant in many hard-fought battles in which the 
Fourth Missouri Regiment of Infantry took part, 
he, in after years, became a member of the Grand 
Army of the Republic. The time which he de- 
voted to fighting his country's battles amounted 
in all to three years and five months, during 
which he distinguished himself for faithfulness to 
the Union cause, b}' braverj' on the field of bat- 
tle, and by a rigid adherence to dut}'. 

Personally he was universally respected and ad- 
mired, for he was not only a model citizen, but 
he was also kind and considerate in the family 
circle. He w.as a successful farmer, an aocom- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



469 



modating and generous neighbor, and an earnest 
Christian, who at all times endeavored to complj- 
with the precepts of the Golden Rule. After the 
death of his first wife, he was married to Mrs. 
Nancy Jane (Wliitnej') McAfee, who was born in 
Tennessee Januarj' 8, 1834, and bore her first hus- 
band four sons: John C, James, Andrew and 
George W., all of whom are married and live in 
Ray County. Her union with Mr. Clevcnger took 
place November 17, 1876, at which time she en- 
tered his home and assumed the duties of a wife 
to himself and a mother to his children, the two 
youngest of whom remember no mother save her- 
self. She has dealt kindlj- and indulgently, yet 
intelligently, by them, has cared for them as 
though they were her own, and has always mani- 
fested the deepest interest in their present and 
future welfare. Her kind and disinterested con- 
duct has been fully appreciated b}' them, the}' re- 
turn her affection in kind, and now in her feeble 
old age, loving hands supply her wants, and affec- 
tion and thoughtfulness surround her. She is an 
earnest Christian and a member of the Cumber- 
land Presbyterian Church, of which her husband 
was also a member. 



ARRIS T. GARNETT, M. L)., who has largely 
retired from his active duties as a physi- 
cian, resides on section 30, township 54, 
range 18, where he owns a fine farm. His 
birth occurred in Shelby Count}', Ky., on the 
'21st of June, 1840. His grandfather, Benjamin 
Garnett, enlisted in the War of 1812, but on ac- 
count of sickness procured a substitiite. Two of 
his sons, Harris and Thomas, were killed. He 
came to Kentucky from Virginia, settling in 
Shelby Count}' at a very earl}' day in its history. 
His family comprised seven children, none of whom 
are now living. 

The subject of this sketch is a son of Sewell W. 
Garnett, who was reared in Shelby County, Ky. 
I'pon reaching his majority he was married in 
AVoodford County, that State, to Miss Ann Pep- 
per, whose father. Elijah Pepper, followed the oc- 



cupations of a farmer, a miller and a distiller in 
that county. The noted "Old Crow" whisky 
was first distilled by him. In his employ was a 
man by the name of Crow, whom they familiarly 
named "Old Crow," and thus the name origi- 
nated. After his marriage Mr. Garnett settled in 
Spencer County, Ky., where he engaged in farm- 
ing and stock-raising until 1865, when he removed 
to Missouri. Before the war he was a slave- 
holder. On coming to Missouri, he located in the 
central part of Chariton County, on township 54, 
whore he purchased land on which he lived for 
about three years. He afterward settled on the 
place in the Dalton district. When he had 
I'eached quite an advanced age he retired from his 
active duties and lived with his children. He 
was called to his final rest in the spring of 1888, 
his wife surviving him until December 31, 1891. 
They were both members of the Baptist Church, of 
which the father was for many years Clerk while 
a resident of Kentucky. 

Dr. Garnett was educated in Slielbyville and 
Georgetown, Ky. He received a collegiate edu- 
cation, and after leaving school commenced read- 
ing medicine with Dr. Slaughter, of Shelbyvillc, 
Ky. He then went to Louisville, where he took a 
medical course in the university, from which he 
was graduated in 1862. He at once went into a 
hospital in that city and from there went to .Jack- 
son, Tenn., practicing in the United States Hos- 
pital at that point. He remained there until July, 
when he went to Memphis, from there going 
to Helena and Little Rock. A portion of the 
time he was in the field hospital as surgeon with 
Gen. Steele. In the spring of 1865 he returned to 
Kentucky, and in the same year came to Missouri, 
where he first located with his father for a year or 
two, after which he began practicing about six 
miles north of Keytesville, where he was stationed 
for eight years. 

On November 5, 1874, was celebrated the mar- 
riage of the Doctor with Miss Susan E. Martin, a 
daughter of John Martin, a resident of Keytesville 
Township. Mrs. Garnett was born in Kentucky 
and came to ISIissouri about the year 1854. She 
departed this life in 1880. In January, 1888, our 
subject and Miss Susie E. Adams were married. 



470 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



The lady is a daughter of William C. Adams, who 
IS a farmer of Kej'tesville Township. Mrs. Gar- 
nett was born and reared in Chariton Coiint3'. Tiie 
result of the first marriage was one child, a son, 
John, who is attending the home schools and will 
be given a collegiate education. 

Dr. Garnett, in partnership with his son, owns 
three hundred and thirty acres of land, which is 
finely improved and which yields to them a golden 
tribute in return for the care they bestow upon it. 
He is particularly interested in raising fine stock. 
He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
his wife holding membership with the Cumberland 
Presbyterian Church. He has always cast his bal- 
lot in favor of the nominees of the Democratic 
party. The Doctor is associated with the Ancient 
Order of United Workmen and the Ancient Free ck 
Accepted Masons. He was President of the Char- 
iton Count}' Medical Societ}- for one year, and has 
been a member of the Missouri Medical Societ}' 
and the American Medical Association. In 1883 
he attended a post-graduate course at St. Louis. 



VT/OHN W. HYDEK is an intelligent and ex- 
perienced journalist, whose energy, en- 
^.^ I terprise and desire to please the public 
'l^f/ have been liberally rewarded, not only in 
regard to tiie reputation he has gained among the 
newspaper men of the State, but also from a finan- 
cial standpoint. He occupies a high position in 
the estimation of the public, and especially is he 
popular in Excelsior Springs and vicinity-. He 
was born in Cla}' County, September 6, 1862, his 
father being John B. Hyder, a native of Tennes- 
see, who came to Missouri when onl}- ten years of 
age. Upon attaining a suitable age, he chose the 
calling of a -farmer as his life occupation, and 
through his own efforts, and with the aid of his 
industrious and economical wife, he acquired a 
competency. He married Miss Caroline Spcarro. 
who was born in 1844, a very short time after her 
parents emigrated to this country from Germany. 
Twelve children were born of the union, of whom 
the subject of this sketch is the eldest. Five died 



in infanc}', and the others are as follows: Lula F., 
now the wife of G. W. Lord, of Excelsior Springs; 
Mollie, Ida M., Tena, Henry H. and Sadie Zula. 

Unfortunately the early life of John W. Hyder 
was almost wholly without opportunities for ob- 
taining an education, and the sura total of eight 
months comprised his school days. This state of 
affairs was in a great measure owing to the fact 
that his services were very badly needed on the 
home farm, on which he spent many a daj- in hai-d 
work. During this period, while his mind was 
not being cultivated, his constitution was becom- 
ing strengthened by his outdoor life, and he ob- 
tained a useful fund of general information. Being 
of an ambitious disposition, he was not content 
with this mode of living, and man}' hours wasted 
by other boys were spent by him in reading such 
books, papers and periodicals as came in his way. 
At the age of eighteen years he procured an ama- 
teur outfit of printers' type, at which time his 
career on the journalistic sea commenced. lie 
used his father's residence as an office, and with 
characteristic energy commenced business at once 
by soliciting job work, doing all the work alone. 
In a short time he commenced the publication of 
his first literary work, a monthly journal called 
Glad Tidings, which was a four-page, 7x10 inch 
sheet. The liberal patronage he received encour- 
aged him to persevere in his new enterprise, and 
he was soon compelled to move his "plant" to 
more convenient and commodious quarters. 

At Excelsior Springs, in 1883, Mr. Hyder com- 
menced the publication of a six-column weekl}' 
paper called TJie Sentinel of Truth, which he con- 
tinued until 1887. He then discontinued it and 
inaugurated the Daily Pkunn, a spicy, newsy and 
exceedingly entertaining 12x17 inch, four-column 
daily paper, which has met with almost unpar- 
alleled success, its present circulation amounting 
to over five hundred copies daily. Mr. Hyder is 
one of the self-made, energetic young business 
men of Clay County. He is ever on the alert to lend 
a helping hand to any worthy enterprise, and to his 
credit be it said that to his energy and push arc 
due the site and endowment fund of l>25,000 for 
the erection and support of the (Christian Union 
Colleoe, which is to be erected at an early day. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



471 



He has been connected with the advancement of 
every newspaper in the citj', and, in connection 
with Dr. Flack, is the founder of tlie Christian 
Union Herald, which is said to have the largest cir- 
culation of any non-sectarian weekly in the United 
States. 

Mr. Ilyder now devotes his entire time to the 
publication of his own papers, periodicals, literary 
work, etc., and is activelj^ and lucratively en- 
gaged in all kinds of book and job work. In 
1889 he began writing short stories and sketches 
for Eastern papers, and in an incredibl}' short time 
his productions were being accepted and pub- 
lished b}' such leading papers as the Boston Globe, 
New Orleans Times-Democrat, Epoch, Comfort, San 
Francisco Wasp, West Shore and others. He has 
written a few serial stories, one of which, "The 
Fair Enchantress," has just been published in 
book form. He is a stanch Prohibitionist politi- 
cally. For a number of 3'ears he has been an ac- 
tive member and ardent supporter of the Chris- 
tian Ujiion Church. In 181(0 he was appointed 
a delegate to the General Council of the church 
held at Cravvfordsville, Ind., which place he filled 
with abilitj' and credit to himself. He is suave 
and polite in manner, modest, unselfish, careful of 
the feelings of others, interesting and pleasant in 
conversation, approachable at all times and pre- 
possessing in personal appearance, He is looked 
upon as one of the rising men of the county, and 
a brilliant future will undoubtedly be his. 



y'^jILLIAM O. DAVIS. Occupying a lead- 
ing position in the business circles of the 
y, w cit}', and eminently qualified by practical 
experience and native ability for the responsible 
position he is now filling so admirably, William 
O. Davis is worthily regarded as a rising 3'oung 
man of affairs, who has met with success simply 
commensurate with the abilities he has displayed 
and the high principles and moral business meth- 
ods which have ever characterized his career. 
Not only does he discharge the duties of ticket 



agent for the Wabash Railroad, but he is also agent 
for the Pacific Express Companj', and operator for 
the Western Union Telegraph Company, in each 
and all of which positions he has shown remark- 
able judgment and intelligence. On the 12th of 
March, 1869, his birth occurred in Boone County, 
Mo., a son of Dr. Benjamin F. and Sallie (Graves) 
Davis, the former of whom was born on Christmas 
Day, 1826, in Boone County, where he still makes 
his home and is considered one of the leading 
medical and surgical practitioners of that locality. 
His wife was also born and reared in Boone County, 
and has borne her husband three sons, of whom she 
has every reason to be proud, for they are intelli- 
gent and honorable business men and law-abiding 
citizens. The subject of this sketch is the eldest 
of the family. John R., who was born May 5, 
1871, is the second, and Roy E., who was born 
July 19, 1873, is the youngest, the latter two be- 
ing still at home and attending school. Both the 
Davises and Graves were of fine old Keutuckj' 
stock, aristocratic, intelligent and wealthy, and 
were well known througliout the Blue Grass Re- 
gion. 

William O. Davis, when not devoting his atten- 
tion to outside affairs, was a regular attendant at 
the public schools, and possessing a bright and re- 
ceptive mind, he was considered by his instructors 
to be a promising pupil, and this reputation he 
continued to retain after entering Bryant & Strat- 
ton's Business College of St. Louis, for upon leav- 
ing that institution he was a well-posted and in- 
telligent young man, far better fitted than the 
average to start out upon the great sea of life. 
After leaving that institution, he devoted three 
and a-half years of his life to the study of teleg- 
raphy, and his first position was that of an 
"extra," but he was found so capable, reliable and 
energetic that he did not long retain this subor- 
dinate place but in a very short time was promoted 
to a position on the Wabash Railroad at Libertj' 
Landing, in Clay County, where he remained nine 
months. At the end of this time, he was again 
promoted, and on the 25th of February, 1890, was 
given the responsible position which he is now 
filling. He is giving entire satisfaction to both 
the railway cumpaiiy and its patrons and his rapid 



472 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



promotion shows that other eyes have been upon 
his labors and have approved of his methods. In 
the progress of his work, he has been so diligent 
that he has become well posted in its commercial 
and traftic business, and that such men as Mr. 
Davis are always in demand is a fact beyond 
question. In his present position, he has brought 
to bear comprehensive intelligence, skilled knowl- 
edge, aggressive energy and absolute integrity, 
and these worthy qualities are without doubt ap- 
preciated by the proprietors of the road. 

He has cast his political influence upon the side 
of Democracy and earnestly advocated its princi- 
ples. He is a member of tlie Christian Union 
Church of Orrick, and in 1891 was initiated into 
the mysteries of Masonry, and at present is a mem- 
ber of Ada Lodge No. 444, of Orrick, also of 
Cyrus Chapter No. 36, and of Richmond Com- 
mandery No. 47. He was united in marriage De- 
cember 21, 1892, with Miss Eunice Dean, a daugh- 
ter of Lewis Dean, of Pittsburgh, Kan. 

AMES F. PIGG, who is farming on section 
28, township ."Jl, range 29, Ray County, was 
^,^1 , born July 1, 1830, in Case}^ County, Ky., 
^^fl and is a son of Lewis and Sarah (Mc- 
Whortcr) Pigg, a sketch of whom will be found 
in that of Reuben Pigg on another page of this 
volume. Our subject came to this county when 
but nine years of age and resided at home until 
1849, when he and his brother George (now de- 
ceased) went to New Mexico in the Government 
service. On their return, in the spring of the fol- 
lowing year, they resumed the duties of clearing 
and improving the old homestead place, having 
only ox-teams to work with. The only school ad- 
vantages Mr. Pigg obtained were those of the sub- 
scription school in an old log cabin. However, 
he has acquired through his own efforts a practical 
business education, which has proved of great 
use to him. 

In December, 1853, Mr. Pigg and Miss Eliza- 
beth Stanley were united in marriage. The lady 
is a daughter of William and Nancy Jane (Gor- 



don) Stanley, of an old aristocratic Southern fam- 
ily. Mrs. Pigg was born in Callaway County, to 
which her father had moved in an earl}- day. He 
was a native of Kentucky, having been born 
April 10, 1810, and, as his parents died when he 
was quite young, he was bound out and learned 
the brickmason's and plasterer's trade. When a 
young man he was once in the pursuit of his trade 
laying brick on the walls of Jeffersonville Prison, 
when one of the contractors unintentionally left 
a bottle of wliiskj' lying on the wall in the sec- 
tion where Mr. Stanle}' was working. As he was 
a man who would neither touch, taste nor handle 
spirits, he continued his work, laying brick over 
and around it, where it probably remains to this 
day. Mr. Stanley was married, in 1839, to Mrs. 
Nancy Jane (Gordon) Holt. By her first marriage 
she had two children. Twelve children, three girls 
and nine boys, of whom the wife of our subject is 
the eldest, were born to Mr. and Mrs. Stanley. 
Three sons and two daughters are all who are now 
living of the family circle. On coining to Ra.y 
County, Mr. Stanley worked at his trade and im- 
proved his farm of one hundred and eightj'-eight 
acres, a part of the same now owned by our subject. 
He was called from this life Julj' 8, 1881, his wife 
surviving him until June 12, 1884. 

After his marriage Mr. Pigg settled on a portion 
of his mother's farm, of which he soon after pur- 
chased eighty acres. This he improved and sold 
before the war. He afterward purchased and built 
on an eighty-acre tract on section 33, Orrick 
Township. In 1863 he removed to Missouri City, 
making that his home for fourteen months. He 
then operated a rented farm for one year, after 
which until after the war he followed various oc- 
cupations in Iowa and Nebraska. In 1865 he 
again located on his farm in Ray County, adding 
thereto another eighty acres. He later purchased 
the old homestead of his father-in-law, which is a 
beautiful farm of one hundred and eighty-eight 
acres, on which he now resides in a substantial 
residence. 

Thirteen children gr.aco the union of our sub- 
ject and his wife, all of whom are living with the 
exception of Mrs. Conyers, who died April 4, 
1877, leaving a daughter, Angerona, who lives 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



473 



witli her grandparents. The other members of 
the famil)' are Wilhain O., born October 1(5, 1854; 
licllc R, Fibruary 16, 1856; Marcellus D., Octo- 
ber 6; 1857; James T., April 29, 1860; Sterling 
P., March 8, 1862; Benjamin F., on Christmas Day 
of 1864; George A., January 27, 1867; Robert N., 
March 17, 1869; Louis N., July 6, 1871; Mary C, 
August 8, 1874; Reuben A. and Sallie J. (twins), 
October 8, 1876; and Toby T., October 9, 1879. 
Ten of these children are living at home. 

Political!}', our subject is a strong advocate of 
the Democratic party. He is a chapter member of 
Ada Lodge No. 444, A. F. A A. M. He and his 
wife are consistent members of the Christian 
Cluircii, where they are active workers. Our sub- 
ject's health is now very poor as be suffered a para- 
lytic stroke, in spite of which he manages his farm 
and stock business. He is very agreeable and soci- 
able in manner, and has friends without number. 
He is benevolent and kind-hearted, having made 
homes for several orphan children in addition to 
his own large family. 

s|^;rANK S. ROBERTSON, efficient Cashier of 
Ir^w ^''® Farmers' Bank in Norborne, Carroll 
Jl County, has for over forty years made his 

home in this State. His ancestors emigrated to 
America from Scotland at an earl}' day. He is a 
son of Richard C. and Nancy (McGlassen) Robert- 
son, who were both born in the Old Dominion. 
His paternal grandfather, Walthall Robertson, was 
a native of Virginia. 

Our subject's birth occurred March 27, 1828, in 
Cumberland County, K}'., to which State his par- 
ents had removed in early childhood. When six 
years of age, with his i)arents, he went to Illinois, 
where his father engaged in farming for many 
years. The educational advantages of our subject 
were those of the public schools. In 1851, com- 
ing Westward to Missouri, he located in Miami, in 
Saline County, where he accepted a position as 
clerk in a general merchandise store. At the ex- 
piration of two years he embarked in the same line 
of business on his own account in Miami, and suc- 



cessfully conducted the same until the breaking 
out of the late war. 

In 1853, Mr. Robertson was united in marriage 
with Miss Ann M. Rucker, whose father, Oeorge A. 
Rucker, was a native of Virginia. Of this union 
were born two daughters, one of whom is de- 
ceased. The surviving daughter is Rosa. The 
wife and mother was called to her fin il rest in Au- 
gust, 1860. In 1865, our subject was again mar- 
ried, at which lime Mrs. Kate Latimer became his 
wife. Mrs. Robertson is the daughter of E. W. 
Lewis, who was born in Virginia. Unto our worthy 
subject and wife have been born eight children, 
of whom five are living, as follows: Samuel A., 
Franklin S., William AV., Henry T. and Robert E. 

In 1866, Mr. Robertson engaged in business in 
De Witt, Carroll County, where he remained for 
two years. About the year 1868, going to Ne- 
braska, he there embarked in the lumber and grain 
business, which he carried on for six years. He 
then returned to Carroll County, which has been 
his home up to the present time. His present 
abode is in Norborne, in which citj' he is now oc- 
cupied as Cashier of the Farmers' Bank. 

In politics, Mr. Robertson is a pronounced Dem- 
ocrat. He is a member of the Christian Church, 
while his wife belongs to the Baptist denomina- 
tion. Mr. Robertson enjoys the confidence and es- 
teem of his fellow-citizens, which he well deserves 
b}- his honorable course in life. 



y^ILLIAM C.SWAIN. Among the enterpris- 
ing young farmers of Chariton County is 
he whose name heads this notice. His 
farm is located on section 25, township 54, range 
19, and his principal business is that of raising 
stock. His paternal grandfatiier, Cornelius Swain, 
was born and reared in North Carolina, whence he 
removed to Tennessee and later to Kentucky. In 
Warren County of the latter State was celebrated 
his marriage with Miss Martha Tibbs. They set- 
tled in Russellville, where Mr. Swain followed his 
trade of stone engraver. There he continued to 
make iii.-* home for about a quarter of a century, 



474 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



when he renioverl to Illinois, where he engaged in 
farming until his death in 1863. He was a member 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church and of the 
Ancient Free & Accepted Masons. Ilis family com- 
prised five children, one of whom, John, died in 
Mississippi at the age of sixty-seven. The living 
children are: George, a farmer of Chariton County; 
William, who is carrying on the old home place in 
Illinois; Jesse T.; and Hooper, who is in the tinner's 
business in Russellville, Ky. 

Jesse T. Swain, the father of our subject, was 
born in Russellville, Ky., February 4, 1830. At 
the age of fourteen years he was apprenticed to 
learn the saddler's trade, at which business he 
worked for six years, then emigrating to Missouri. 
He worked at his trade for about one year in Fa}'- 
ette, after which he went to Lexington. Going 
from that point to St. Louis, he remained there but 
a short time, and in the fall of 1854 engaged in the 
saddlery business in Keytesville. In 1858 he re- 
moved to the farm he now occupies on section 4, 
township 54, range 19. He is considered one of 
the most successful farmers of the county and has 
devoted his attention principally to raising live 
stock. 

In 1856, Mr. Swain wedded Miss Martha Wheeler, 
daughter of D. N. Wheeler, who was a prominent 
farmer and early settler of the county', and whose 
farm is located six miles north of the county seat. 
They have seven living children. Mr. Swain has 
now about five hundred acres of land, on which he 
has erected a very commodious and pleasant farm 
dwelling. He is a member of the Ancient Free A' 
Accepted Masons, of the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows and of the Grange. In his political affili- 
ations he is a sui)porter of the Democracy. 

We now next briefly note the history of William 
C. Swain, whose name stands at the head of this 
sketch. His birth occurred August 2, 1858, in 
Chariton County. He was educated in the district 
schools and has always followed farming since his 
youth. He owns one hundred and sixty acres on 
section 25, which is arable and well-improved 
property. He is principally engaged in raising 
stock and is considered one of the rising and pro- 
gressive farmers of the township. In 1879, he lo- 
cated on a farm adjoining his father's, where lie 



had purchased one hundred and ten acres. There 
he made his home for four years, after which he re- 
turned to the old homestead, which he operated for 
one 3'ear. He then purchased a place one mile 
north of tliat point, which he shortly afterward 
traded for the farm which he is now operating, 
and where he has resided since 1 884. 

In the year 1879, Mr. Swain w,as married to Miss 
Lottie Price, b}- whom he has one child, Jesse. 
In 1882, Mrs. Swain was called to the home be3'ond, 
and some time later our subject wedded Miss Mol- 
lie Duff, whose father, Robert Duff, is a jirominent 
farmer of this township. She was born and reared 
in this count3' and was educated in the public 
schools in Keytesville. The union has been blessed 
with one child, who is called after his grandfathers, 
Jesse Robert. Mr. and Mrs. Swain are workers and 
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and 
the former holds membership with the Farmers' 
Mutual Benefit Association. 



PROF. WILLIAM B. HARPER, who is a tal- 
) ented teacher of music, has secured a hold 
J- on public favor, and the success which he 
'\ has achieved fully attests his ability as an 
instructor and upright, reliable citizen. He is es- 
pecially accomplished as a violinist, and is a thor- 
ough and practical instructor on that instrument, 
his pupils being representatives of the leading 
families and citizens. Although he is only twentj-- 
four years of age, he is the director of Harper's 
Orchestra, which was organized by him in 1890, 
and which consists of seven pieces, the violin, cor- 
net, clarionet, trombone and double drums. Dur- 
ing the short time that this company has been 
organized it has attained a wide reputation and 
is in demand at social gatherings, parties and balls. 
Prof. Harper was born in Weston, Mo., Ma}- 22, 
1869, his father, John D. Harper, being a native 
of Kentuck}^, but of Scotch-Irish extraction, for 
his mother came directlj' from the Isle of Erin at 
the age of six years. John D. Harper during his 
youthful days made fourteen trips across the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



475 



plains as a freighter of goods, these long journeys 
being attended by much danger and marked by 
hardships and privations of no ordinary' char- 
acter. He would usually dispose of his goods 
in Salt Lake City and then convey a drove of 
mules, whicii he usually took with him, on to the 
Pacific Slope, where he would sell them at good 
prices. He was very successful finaDcially, but 
after a time grew tired of this mode of living and 
eventuallj- purchased one hundred and sixt}- acres 
of land on section 11, Liberty Township, Clay 
County, on which was standing a handsome brick 
residence and substantial and commodious barns. 
He has since made many other valuable improve- 
ments. Near his residence he has a large pond well 
stocked with bass,carp, perch, catfish, tobacco pouch 
and Buffalo fish, which are not only a source of 
much pleasure to the angler, but are of profit to the 
owner also. In his career as a farmer he has met 
with most pleasing results from a financial stand- 
point, and the energetic manner in which he has 
taken advantage of all methods and ideas tending 
to enhance the value of his property has been in 
ever^' waj' worthy of emulation, and has had a 
great deal to do with obtaining the competence 
he now enjoys. 

The mother of the subject of this sketch was the 
daughter of the Hon. John R. Keller, a native of 
JessamineCountVjK}'., who settled in Clay County, 
Mo., at an earl^' day. and served with marked abil- 
ity and distinction in the State Senate for two 
years. He died a respected and honored citizen 
of Clay County, of which he had been a promi- 
nent resident for over half a century-. Mrs. Harper 
is a woman of many noble traits of character, 
being amiable, generous, kind-hearted and de- 
voted to her family. She has exercised excellent 
judgment in rearing her children, and has the un- 
bounded satisfaction of knowing that they have 
IMOtited by her good advice and have attained to 
honorable manhood and womanhood. She and 
her husband have the respect and esteem of all 
who know them. 

William 15. Harper was given far better than 
average educational advantages, and after attend- 
ing the common schools for a number of years he. 
at the early age of fifteen, became a student in 



Washburne College, at Topeka, Kan., and later in 
William Jewell College, of Liberty, Mo., his rec- 
ord as a diligent and painstaking student in both 
these institutions being excellent. Although he 
is a telegraph operator of no mean ability' and a 
practical and thorough civil engineer, he is devot- 
ing his attention to music, for which all the mem- 
bers of the family seem to have a natural aptitude 
and taste. Since 1886 he has been a resident of Lib- 
ert3', where he has built up a paying patronage 
and gives every promise of doing well. He is the 
fifth of six children; the other members of the 
family' were: Lizzie, who died in childhood; Lila, 
who was born in 1857, married E. Kimber, of To- 
peka, Kan., and is now living in Chicago; John 
J. is married and has been a clerk in the post- 
otHce of Topeka for eight years; Irene L. was 
born in 1867, and is at home with her parents; 
and Sarah A., who was born in 1872. The daugh- 
ters received their educations in Bethany College, 
at Topeka, and Sarah A. has attended Liberty Fe- 
male College, of Liberty, Mo. Mrs. Kimber, of 
Chicago, studied vocal and instrumental music 
for twelve years and is an exceptionallj- accom- 
plished musician, while Sarah has given it her at- 
tention for five years. 



^1 i . mT j ?* 

■^^AVID EDWARDS, a prominent farmer 
and stock-raiser of Linn County, is the 
owner of eighty acres of land situated on 
section 17, township 58, range 21. He 
purchased his present property in the spring of 
1871, paying for it at the rate of $25 per acre. He 
has brought it all under good cultivation and has 
made many improvements. It is now worth over 
$30 per acre and is considered one. of the best 
farms in the township. 

The paternal grandfather of our subject was a 
native of Wales, where he was an extensive herder 
of sheep, owning and grazing as many as ten 
thousand at a time. The parents of Mr. Edwards 
were also born in Wales and crossed the Atlantic, 
arriving in the United Slates in 18.35. The father 
was a farmer by occupation and before leaving his 



476 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



native land married Miss Hannah Owens, l)y whom 
he had five children, as follows: Hannah, Thomas, 
Evan, David and Mary. 

David Edwards, whose name heads this sketch, 
like his ancestors, was born in Wales in 1832, and 
consequently was but three years of age when 
brought by his parents to this countr3'. He was 
reared in Waukesha, Wis., and there acquired his 
education. In 1866, he removed to Missouri, re- 
siding for four years in the eastern part of Linn 
County, after which he purchased his present farm 
and has since been engaged in general farming and 
stock-raising. He makes a specialty of breeding 
and raising good horses, and by his energy and 
industry has acquired a comfortable fortune. 

Our subject has been twice married, his first 
union being with Miss Mary German, of Wiscon- 
sin. To them was born a daughter, Hannah, now 
Mrs. Thomas. In 1864, Mr. Edwards wedded Miss 
Eliza C. Taylor, a native of Ohio, and of their 
marriage has been born a son, George W.,who is a 
farmer in Clay Township, Linn County, and who 
on attaining his majority married Miss Mildred 
Duncan, of the same county. 

For fourteen years Mr. Edwards has been 
School Director of his district and lias taken an 
influential part in educational and local affairs. 
He has also served as Commissioner of Highways. 
In his i)olitical affiliations, Mr. Edwards is a Dem- 
ocrat, and vvith his amiable wife holds membership 
with the Church of Christ. 



^^p\\ HARLES AVIRT, the elHcient and energetic 
(ll n gf'n^'"*^ manager of Kirk Armour's fine 
^1^7 country-seat and magnificent stock-farm 
located neai* Excelsior Springs, Mo., was fitted by 
many years of practical experience to ably dis- 
charge the duties of his present most responsible 
position. Our subject was born in Ohio, in 1854, 
and was the son of Joseph and Margaret Wirt, 
both natives of Ohio, and born near Akron. The 
father was a prominent farmer and stock- raiser, 
and was widely known in the Buckeye State. Mr. 
Wirt received his primary' education in the pub- 



lic schools and afterward received the benefit of a 
course of instruction in the Smithville (Ohio) Acad- 
emy. Before he was twenty j'ears of age, he suc- 
cessfully taught school in his native State, and in 
1870 came with his father to Missouri, and was en- 
gaged in stock-raising, buying and shipping for 
three years; then returning to Ohio he engaged in 
teaching school. 

Upon October 22, 1878, our subject was united 
in marriage with Miss Susan, a daughter of .lohn 
Croco, a prosperous agriculturist and leading far- 
mer of Holmes County, Ohio. He owns the finest 
homestead, improved with the most attractive and 
commodious buildings, to be found anywhere in 
that section of the State, and raises a choice variety 
of the best graded stock. Mrs. Wirt was born Ma3' 
13, 1857, and was educated in the excellent schools 
of her native county, where she afterward taught 
school. She was the eighth of her parents' family 
of nine children, and seven sons and daughters yet 
survive. Mr. Wirt is the third of six children, 
four boys and two girls, all of whom are living. 
His brother is the Principal of the public schools 
of Belden, Mo., and is an experienced and very 
successful teacher. He was Principal of the schools 
of Raymore, Mo., for a number of years. Mr. and 
Mrs. Wirt are the parents of four children: Her- 
bert, born October 15, 1880; Ralph, October 21, 
1885; Wayne, October 4, 1888; and Ada, July 13, 
1892. 

Our subject took charge of Armour's extensive 
stock-farm and began his successful career as gen- 
eral manager on the 15th of October, 1890. This 
valuable country-seat contains eight hundred acres 
of land located one mile from Excelsior Springs 
and about one hundred yards from the Chicago, 
Milwaukee & St. Paul depot. It is laid out with 
beautiful drives and walks shaded by lofty trees 
and evergreens. The residence and extensive 
barns are the best in the county, the elegant 
stock barn alone costing $4,000, it being a model 
building, finely arranged for the convenience 
and comfort of the fine stock. Large numbers of 
Hereford cattle, all registered stock, are here housed. 
Superior grades of draft, driving and saddle horses, 
from sixty to one hundred, may be constantly 
seen upon the farm, and within its acreage large 







{^. ?</^^^.<^^^r^ 



PORTRAIT AND BTOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



479 



tloeks of sheep, Shropshire, Lancaster and South- 
down, graze. Ninety-tivc acres of good corn re- 
turn a hirge annual harvest, and other cro})s are 
produced. Mv. Wirt has the entire management 
and responsibility of the several interests centering 
in this large tract of land and uses his own judg- 
ment in the raising, care and sale of stock, keeping 
a complete set of books and rendering a monthly 
account of expenditures and income. A yearly 
account or report of all sales, stock or merchandise, 
help hired and expenses involved, is also rendered 
and all the business is conducted in the most sys- 
tematic manner. Our subject pays bills by check 
on the Excelsior Bank. In the faithful devotion 
he gives to his employer's interest he finds little 
spare time. During 1892, he broke eight}' colts, 
all owned upon the farm. As soon as the j'oung 
horses were fit to work, they were shipped to 
Armour's packing-houses. Mr. Wirt is a salaried 
employee and receives compensation commensu- 
rate with the responsibility of his position. He is 
a valued member of the lodge of the Knights of 
Pythias in Excelsior Springs, and both within and 
without the order has many sincere friends. A 
man of sterling integrity of character, conscienti- 
ously doing well his work in life and faithfully 
fulfilling every obligation he assumes, he is also an 
earnest and public-spirited citizen, broad in his 
ideas, and liberal in sentiment. 



eHRISTIAN IIASSLER is a retired farmer 
living in Browning, and is a respected 
citizen, highly spoken of by all his neigh- 
bors and fellow-townsmen. He is a native of Ger- 
many, where his birth occurred April 7, 1813. His 
father. Christian Gotleib Hassler, was likewise a 
native of the Fatherland, and unto himself and 
wife were born three sons and four daughters. 
Carl, a brother of our subject, resides in New Bos- 
ton, Mo., and is retired from the active duties of 
farm life, in which he had been engaged for many 
years. He was a soldier in the late war, serving 
till its close. 



The boyhood and early manhood of our subje(^t 
were passed in his native land, from which he 
resolved to emigrate in 1818. Crossing the At- 
lantic he arrived in New York, where he remained 
but a short time, after which he went to Cincin- 
nati and obtained employment working on a turn- 
])ike for six months. Concluding to come further 
West, he traveled overland, and for eight years 
engaged in farming in Oshkosh, Wis., whence he 
removed to Linn County, Mo. On his arrival in 
Missouri he purchased land in Linn County, for 
which he paid from #10 to $13 an acre and which 
he still owns. Recently he has retired from active 
labor, and the income received from his land en- 
ables him to surround himself with all the com- 
forts of life and enjoy a rest which he has truly 
deserved by his many j'ears of industry and toil. 

Before leaving his native land Mr. Hassler was 
united in marriage with Terasea Zlauswitz. This 
lady having died, he was married in Linn County 
in 1858 to Miss Emily Faukoner, a native of Ken- 
tucky. They are both members of the Lutheran 
Church and are liberal givers in the work of that 
denomination. Mr. Hassler enlisted in the First 
Regiment Cavalry of Missouri and was for one year 
in the service, receiving his discharge at Sedalia, 
Mo. Politically, he is a firm Republican and a 
man of public spirit. For the past thirty-six years 
he has been thoroughly identified with and interes- 
ted in the prosperity and progress of this count}', 
and it is therefore with great pleasure that we 
present to his many friends in this locality this 
brief record of his life and tribute to his well- 
known worth. 

3-C T Vl^j^ ■ e) 

ENRY C. PERDUE, Jk. A well-appointed 
grocery establishment goes far toward the 
solution of the problem of feeding the 
masses, for the question of food supplies is 
one of the first with which the human family have 
to contend. The drug business is little less im- 
portant, for from the very earliest ages tiie art of 
jireparing the compounds that arrest and remove 
pain and heal the sick has been regarded as among 



24 



480 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the highest of human functions, and thus it is 
that so much interest and importance attach to 
these two callings. 

Henry C. Perdue is not onl}' a reliable drug- 
gist, but also keeps a select and extensive stock 
of groceries in Orrick, his house being a popu- 
lar one, and he a successful and pushing man of 
affairs. He is keenly alive to his own interests, 
as all prosperous business men are, grasps at all 
opportunities for bettering his financial condition, 
Init withal is so honorable and fair in every trans- 
action, and so desirous of pleasing his patrons, 
that it is not to be wondered at that his career 
has ever been "onward and upward." He can al- 
ways be found at his business headquarters, where 
he is ready and willing to comply with the wishes 
of his customers, experience having taught them 
that his word is to be relied upon, and that his 
goods are fresh and of the best. 

Our subject is a native of Ray Count}-, his birth 
having occurred on the 3d of March, 1863. He is 
a son of Henry C. Perdue, Sr., of Richmond, Mo., 
a sketch of whom appears on another page of 
this work. The subject of this sketch may be 
said to have been reared to the drug business, for 
he entered an establishment of that kind when a 
mere lad, where he at first ran errands and did 
odd jobs of all kinds. He never attended school 
after he was sixteen years of age, and prior to 
that time received onl}' ordinary advantages, but 
he was naturally so intelligent, wide-awake and 
desirous of becoming well informed, that he was 
far better posted than the average boy of his age. 
After the death of his mother he left the shelter 
of his home and bravely started out to make his 
own way in the world as a clerk in a mercantile 
establishment in Saline Count}', Mo., where he re- 
mained about one year, his experience during that 
time being of great value to him. Immediately 
following this he worked with the company of 
surveyors on the Santa Fe Railroad, spending 
about one year under the direct supervision of C. 
S. Car|)enter, the locating engineer c>f the com- 
pany. 

In the year 1887 Mr. Perdue went to Colorado, 
where he remained for some time, but once more 
arrived in Orriok on the 1st of .January, 1892, of 



which place he has since been one of the prosper- 
ous business men and a wide-awake and public- 
spirited citizens. Any enterprise that is started 
for the benefit of his section finds a ready and 
substantial supporter in Mr. Perdue, who has al- 
ways had the deepest interest in the welfare and 
progress of ids native county. 



\i-~^ UGO BARTZ is the junior member of the 
V firm of Moore &. Bartz, proprietors of the 
^ Keytesville Street Railway Company- in the 
city of that name. He is a stockholder in the 
Keytesville Mercantile Company, of which he is 
Vice-president. He is also a stockholder and Pres- 
ident of the Keytesville Lumber Company', and 
is numbered among the prominent and leading 
business men of the city. 

Our subject was born in Prussia, Germany 
July 1, 1838. He received a good German educa- 
tion, and was there reared to manhood. In 1867 
he crossed the briny deep, and soon after his ar- 
rival in America located in Keytesville, Mo., where 
he built a mill and engaged in milling for twenty- 
three years. He learned his trade of a miller in 
Prussia, and was ver}' successful in that line of 
business. In 1888 he sold his mill to Messrs. 
Owen & Courtney, who have since operated it. 
INIr. Bartz then, in partnership with .7. J. Jloore, 
built tlie railway line which they still control. 
On the line they have two passenger and one 
freight car. Though they have about $9,000 in- 
vested in the company, they have succeeded so 
well that they would probably not be induced to 
sell out for twice that amount. 

In 1873 Mr. Bartz married Miss Sophie, daugh- 
ter of Henry Sasse, who formerl}' resided in Bruns- 
wick, Chariton County. Mrs. Bartz was reared 
and educated in Brunswick, and by her marriage 
became the mother of four children, who are as 
follows: Hugo Ernest, Romeo Alexis, Norine Alma 
and Leta Inez. Mr. Bartz is a member of the 
Presbyterian Church at Keytesville, and, socially, 
holds membership with the Ancient Free ik Ac- 
cepted Masons, and the Ancient Order of United 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



481 



Workmen, at one time being Receiver in the lat- 
ter order. He uses his rigiit of franchise in favor 
of the Republican partj^, and is actively interested 
in all public enterprises. lie has ever been a 
friend to education, and has served as a member 
of the Board. 



<S^MSLEY W. CRAVEN, a leading citizen 
1^1 Jind prosperous business man and carriage- 
'1^ — ^ builder of Missouri City, Mo., has been a 
resident of Clay County for many years and is 
widely known as a man of honor and integrity. 
He was born in Campbell County, Tenn., .June 9, 
1827, and was the son of Jeremiah Craven, a car- 
riage-builder and native of North Carolina, in 
which State his mother was also born. The par- 
ents early made their home in Tennessee, but re- 
moved to Ray County, Mo., in 1834, and here the 
father died ten years later, in 1844, the mother sur- 
viving until 1860. Father Craven was a strong 
Democrat and ably discharged tlie duties of Jus- 
tice of the Peace in his township and, occupying 
the oliice with honor and fidelity, gave great satis- 
faction to his constituents and the general public. 
Our subject received a primar}- education in the 
little log schoolhouse of his home neighborhood, 
but was obliged to begin the work of life at a very 
tender age. Arriving at manhood, he was united 
in marriage with Miss Frances J. Gant, May 13, 
1847. Mrs. Craven was born January 28, 1830, 
.and was the daughter of Benjamin Gant, a success- 
ful farmer of Ray County, now deceased. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Craven were born eleven 
children, of whom the eldest died at the age of two 
and a-half 3-ears. The 3'oungest died wlieu an in- 
fant of sixteen months. A daughter, Mrs. Thomas 
Holt, of Nebraska, died in 1883, only a sliort time 
after her marriage. Eight of the sons and daugh- 
ters who once gathered in the old homestead 3'et 
survive: Calvin L., of Excelsior Springs, was born 
March 17, 1851; Isora, Mrs. James M. Bell, of 
Jones County, Iowa, was born May 3, 18,')3; O. S., 
a druggist of Missouri C'ity, born January- (!, 



1856; William C, now a druggist at Libeirty, born 
March 30, 1858; Josephine, Mrs. Harvey Levi, 
married to a prosperous farmer of Clay County, 
born October 1, 1862; Mary L., single, living at 
home, was born in 1864; Winnie H., Mrs. Franklin 
Newton,"of Missouri C'ity, was born in 1868; AVal- 
ter, born April 17, 1871, youngest child of Mr. Cra- 
ven, is now clerking in the store of his brother, C. L., 
of Excelsior Springs. Our subject is grandfather 
to a number of little ones. Calvin R. has three 
children; Mrs. Bell is the mother of six sons and 
daughters; William B. is the father of two little 
ones; O- S. has four children; Mrs. Newton has 
one; and Mrs. Levi rejoices in one child, making a 
sum total of seventeen direct descendants of Ems- 
ley W. Craven, who will worthily transmit his 
name to the coming generations. 

When our subject began life for himself he lo- 
cated in Ra3' County and pursued the trade of a 
carriage-builder, continuing in that avocation ever 
since. He is an especially skillful workman and 
has aided in turning out some of tlie finest vehicles 
used in this State. Fraternally, he is an honored 
member of Ilainsville Lodge No. 49, A. F. & A. 1\I., 
aod possesses a host of sincere friends within the 
order. Mr. Craven is, politicall3', a strong Demo- 
crat, and a firm supporter of the principles of his 
party. "An earnest, upright and public-spirited 
citizen, he is universally respected and highl3' re- 
garded b3' the entire communit3' among whom his 
bus3' life is passed. O. S. Craven, the second son 
of our subject, an energetic and enterprising citi- 
zen, began at seventeen 3'ears of age to learn the 
blacksmith's trade and, a thorough master of the 
business, still conducts a shop, emplo3ing workmen 
and individually giving his attention to the de- 
mands of the drug store. November 26, 1879, 
at the age of twent3'-three years, he married Miss 
Luella Winfrey, of Cla3' County, daughter of 
William H. Winfrey, proprietor of the saw and 
grist mill, of Missouri City. O. S. and Luella 
Craven became the parents of one bright and 
promising son, Woodard W., born September 23, 
1883, and a daughter, Mamie F., born September 
a, 1881. The 3'oung mother died of consumption, 
after a lingering illness, and, a devoted member 
f)f the Cluistiau Church, p.assed peacefull3' awav 



482 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



May 26, 1885. Woodard, the manly little son, 
followed Ills mother to the better land November 
23, 1885. 

Upon May 21, 1886, Mr. Craven married again, 
his present wife having been Miss Rebecca B. 
Wright, daughter of Henry and ISarah C. Wright, 
of Jackson County, Mo. Mrs. Craven, a gentle, 
kindly lady, of worth and intelligent culture, was 
born April 21, 1864, and is a loving wife and 
mother, tenderly caring for her three little ones: 
Mamie L., born April 21, 1887; Clyde L., March 
19, 1889; and Jessie Lee, March 13, 1891. 

Upon February 22, 1892, Mr. Craven took pos- 
session of the drug stock of C. W. Eberts and now 
has the largest and most finely appointed and com- 
pletely stocked drug store in Missouri City. Pre- 
scriptions are carefully compounded at this well- 
known establishment nigiit and day. Dr. Benjamin 
S. Lincoln, a skillful phj'sician and pharmacist, is 
connected with Mr. Craven and oversees all com- 
pounding of drugs. The drug store, carrying a 
complete line of fine toilet goods and the various 
sundries of the trade, is a place of popular resort 
and enjoys a large business, doing not only a large 
city trade, but receiving as well a constantly in- 
creasing patronage from the outside territory ad- 
jacent to Missouri Cit3'. Financially prospered and 
blessed with domestic happiness, Mr. Craven is 
never unmindful of those less fortunate than him- 
self and takes a leading position in both the busi- 
ness and social world. 

yMLLIAM L. THOMPSON, deceased. Tliere 
/ is little need to portray the virtues or de- 
^f^ fend the memory of this gentleman, for he 
lives in the affection of his family and friends as 
a devoted husband, a kind neighbor and a public- 
spirited citizen, and one of the foremost agricul- 
turists of the county. He was born in Indiana, 
May 21, 1833, while his parents were on their way 
West from Virginia, and in infancy was brought 
to Clay County by his parents, iiis father being 
one of the few progressive pioneer farmers of the 
county. He was given excellent educational ad- 



vantages in his youth and this knowledge was 
strengthened and broadened by extensive and 
varied reading and by contact with the business 
affairs of lifQ. He was an excellent surveyor, and 
as a school teacher, an occupation he followed for 
man^- terms both before and after his marriage, 
was considered a thorough and practical instructor 
and a fine disciplinarian. December 9, 1861, he 
was married to Miss Sarah F. Bell, an estimable 
and intelligent young lad}' and a member of one 
of the leading families of Clay County, who in 
every respect proved a worthy and safe counselor 
and helpmate to her husband. Iramediatel}' after 
the celebration of their nuptials they located on 
an exceptionally fine farm of two hundred and 
eighty acres on section 17, the site of the presmt 
home of Mis. Thompson, and there Mr. Thompson 
devoted his attention to general farming until the 
candle of his life flickered and went out. He was 
thoroughly practical in the conduct of his affairs, 
and his well-established characteristics of energy, 
perseverance and thrift brought him safe returns. 
The farm testifies to a noticeable extent what 
years of industry and good management and su- 
perior knowledge will do toward the maintenance 
of land. B}' all he was considered a model farmer 
of the community, neat, progressive and of de- 
cided views in conducting all his operations, and the 
success which was accorded him was fully merited. 
Soon after the close of the great Civil War, Mr. 
Thompson was elected County Surveyor, which 
office he successfully filled for many years, and 
during this time he also discharged the duties of 
Assessor and Notary Public for a number of 3'ears 
to the universal satisfaction of those interested, as 
well as to his own credit. Although he was by no 
means a rabid politician, he faithfully discharged 
the duties of the offices conferred upon him by 
the Democratic party and at all times manifested 
undoubted ability, faithfulness and indefatigable 
energy. His death, which occurred April 4, 1891, 
was universally mourned, and the sad faces of all 
his neighbors and acquaintances proved that they 
recognized that a true and faithful friend and an 
admirable citizen iiad passed aw.iy. He was an 
iioiiored member of the Masonic order, under 
whose ritual the last sad rites of his interment 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



483 



were conducted. He left beside liis wife a family 
of six children to niouru tlioir loss: John 8., who 
was born September 2it, 1862; Cora, May 30, 
18G4; .lossie, November 1, 1865; Claude M., No- 
vember 1, 186!l; Laura E., December 22, 1872; and 
Kate M., March fi, 1881. All of these children are 
unmarried and reside at home with the exception 
of Jessie, who, on the 20th of December, 1888, 
married Frank McFarland, of Clinton County, 
Mo., whose ancestors were of Scotch origin. He 
is a young man of marked ability and enterprise 
and at the present time (1893) is engaged in the 
United States railway service. Mr. and Mrs. 
McFarland have a bright little infant son who 
was born October 3, 1891. 

As a man William L. Thompson was above re- 
proach; as a friend, faithful, firm and true; and 
as a politician strong in the advocacy of clean and 
pure principles. Though now dead,'he yet speaks 
by the memory of the many good deeds he leaves 
behind, and the world is better for his having 
lived in it, than which no higher praise can be 
given to mortal. After his death his son John 
S. assumed the management of the large home 
farm and has given abundant proof of his ability 
to successfully perform the duties resting upon 
him. He is a young man of genial manners, as 
well as of executive ability, and is intelligent and 
well posted on the general topics of the day. A 
successful future is predicted for him and without 
doubt will be his. 

R. BEN S. LINCOLN. Among the phy- 
sicians of acknowledged merit who have 
successfully battled with disease an(] death 
for the past two years, may be mentioned 
Dr. Ben S. IJncoln, whose professional career 
from the very first has been one of gratifying 
success, for not only is he thoroughly fitted by 
nature, but also by experience, for a superior prac- 
titioner of the healing art. He has built up a 
reputation for professional skill and ability that 
is not merely local but extends over a wide range. 
He was born in Clay County, Mo., on the 23d of 



September, 1865, and like so many of the prosper- 
ous men in all fields of labor at the present day, 
his youthful days were spent on a farm. When 
about eighteen years of age he entered college for 
the purpose of obtaining a good business educa- 
tion, and here he successfully pursued his studies 
for one year. At the end of that time he again re- 
turned to the farm, where he pursued his former 
occupation for some twelve months, when he en- 
tered the Warrensburgh (Mo.) State Normal 
School, and in about fifteen months completed a 
two-years course. Following this he became a 
successful teacher in the public schools of Platte 
Township, and while pursuing this calling, which 
he did for about seven months, he formed the de- 
termination of making the practice of medicine 
his chief occupation throughout life, and to this 
end, at the close of his term of school, he matricu- 
lated at the University Medical College of Kansas 
Cit}', Mo., where he completed his course in two 
years, graduating March 14, 1891. Following this 
he returned to his father's farm for a short time, 
only to locate in Missouri City, June 22, 1891. of 
which place he has since been an active prac- 
titioner. 

In the month of February, 1892, in partnership 
with O. S. Craven, he became the proprietor of a 
drug store, where a full line of everything that is 
usually found in a first-class store is kept. Here 
the Doctor makes his headquarters and is found 
ready and willing to oblige the large line of cus- 
tomers who, thanks to the accommodating spirit 
and entire reliability of the members of the firm, 
flock to their house. Dr. Lincoln compounds bis 
own prescriptions, is known to be thoroughly 
competent and reliable, and as there is no division 
of the retail drug business so important as the 
careful, conscientious and intelligent compound- 
ing of phj-sicians' prescriptions, it is not to be 
wondered at that the patronage of the establish- 
ment is large. Both as a druggist and physician, 
he has acquired a proficiency that places him in a 
high position. Enterprising, reliable and ambi- 
tious, cautious and exact, he has secured the con- 
fidence of the public to a marked degree, a confi- 
dence of which his education and career have made 
him the just recipient. He is a medical practi- 



484 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tioner of the regular school, and is ready to an- 
swer the calls of the sick and afflicted both by day 
and night. 

Politically, Dr. Lincoln is a stanch Democrat 
and a strong advocate of the [jrinciples and plat- 
forms of his party, and in addition to his many 
other ^Vortliy qualities he is an earnest worker in 
the Christian Church, of whicii he has for a num- 
ber of years been a member, lie is very genial in 
disposition, an entertaining and delightful com- 
)>anionj yet possesses tliat strength of character 
that enables him to remain true to his convictions 
and what he considers to be right, regardless of the 
opinions of others. He has numerous friends, es- 
peciall}' among his professional brethren. He be- 
longs to the Esculapian Society, which was or- 
ganized in his Alma Mater, while he was a medical 
student. 

^j^'^ILES C. RICE owns a well-improved farm 
ll (^-, on section 3, township 53, range 18, Chari- 
^^jj) ton Count3\ His farm comprises one hun- 
dred and twenty acres, which is all in a good state 
of cultivation and much of which is devoted to 
tlie raising of tobacco and sugar cane. He has 
made all the improvements on the place himself, 
erecting a good residence and substantial barns. 

Mr. Rice was born in Randolpli County, Mo., 
June 1, 1840, his father being Thomas J., a native 
of Clay County, Ky., who emigrated to Randolph 
County about the year 1820. He was twice mar- 
ried, by his first union having six children. His 
second wife, the mother of our subject, was also a 
native of Claj' County, Ky., and to her were born 
four children. The father's death occurred in 
Randolph County in 184G. Our subject passed 
his boyhood days in that county, and when twent}' 
years of age removed with his mother to this 
county. In 1858 he located on a farm about eight 
miles north of Keytesville, where he engaged in 
farming for two years, during which time his 
mother kept house for him. He then located near 
Keytesville, renting a farm, on which he lived for 
two years. For about one ^ear he engaged in 



farming on a place just east of the city, thence re- 
moving to Dr. Holland's farm, which he operated 
for six years, and later removing to his present 
farm, which he has since engaged in cultivating. 

In 18G1 Mr. Rice enlisted in the Confederate 
service as a member of Company A, First Missouri 
Regulars. He was in active service for four years, 
taking part in a number of important battles. The 
time of his fust enlistment expiring, he re-enlisted 
for the second time in Company A, which was as- 
signed to Shelby's brigade. He was in the battles 
of Pea Ridge, luka, Pittsburg Landing, Diy 
Woods and the siege of Vicksburg, "in the latter 
being taken prisoner. He was wounded but once 
in these numerous engagements, a ball just graz- 
ing the edge of his ear. 

In March, 1874, Mr. Rice wedded Miss Rhoda 
Emeline, daughter of John Meadows, who was a 
resident of Randolph County, Mo., but is now de- 
ceased. Mrs. Rice was born near Huntsville in 
the year 1854. They have eight living children: 
Susan Ellen, Daisy Dean, Thomas Allen, Nelie A., 
Evelee, James, E. Simp and Fronie Bessie. Mr. 
Rice is a strong Democrat politically, though he 
has never desired to serve in an official capacity, 
choosing to devote his attention to his farm and 
other interests. 



^ OSEPH C. WELTNER, a retired capitalist, 
who deals more or less in real estate and 
^^ I loans, has since 1875 resided in De Witt, 
y^fJ Carroll County, where for nine years he was 
engaged in general merchandising, from which oc- 
cupation he retired in 1884. 

The paternal grandfather of our subject was 
named Jacob Weltner, and was born in the Key- 
stone State. Our subject is the second in order of 
birth of a family of thirteen children, whose par- 
ents were John and Elizabeth (Berry) Weltner, 
the former a native of Pennsjivania and the lat- 
ter of Ohio. Joseph C. was born in Hocking 
County, Ohio, April 15, 1844, and passed his boy- 
hood days in that portion of the State, attending 



PORTRAIT AND mOGRAril'CAL RECORD. 



485 



the common schools of the neighborhood. Our sub- 
ject enlisted in March, I860, in C'omijany K, Fifty- 
eighth Ohio Regiment, after which lie was for 
two year? a student in Granville College, at Gran- 
ville, Ohio. For some years tliereafter he en- 
gaged in farming in the Biicke^-e State. In 1872, 
deciding to try his fortunes further West, he lo- 
cated in Saline County, Mo., residing in Malta 
Bend for three years, during which time he was 
engaged in the mercantile business. In 1875 he 
came to Carroll Count}', opening a store for gen- 
eral merchandise in De Witt, as mentioned at tiie 
beginning of this sketch. 

In 1873 Mr. Weltner was married to MissKittie, 
daughter of James Baker, a respected citizen of 
Missouri, formerly of Ohio. The union of this 
worthy couple has been graced by two children: 
Floyd E. and Herbert R., who are at home and 
attending school. Both parents are members of 
the Christian Church, in wliich thej- are valued 
workers. In his political views, Mr. Weltner is a 
stronsf Democrat. 



'^ 



JOHN FRAKE8. Prominent among the hon- 
ored pioneers and influential citizens of 
Ray Count}', ranks the gentleman whose 
name heads this sketch. For over half a 
century he has been connected with the welfare 
and development of this section, and his life liis- 
toiy is inseparably interwoven with that of the 
county. lie makes his home on section 7, town- 
ship 51, range 29. 

Our subject is a son of Barney Frakes, a native 
of Montgoraerj' County, Kj., while his mother in 
her maiden days was known as Sina Davis, and 
was a member of an old and well-known Kentucky 
family. Our subject was born in Putnam County, 
Mo., in the j'ear 1828, whither his parents had 
emigrated some years previously from Kentucky. 
When he was a very small boy, he wont with his 
parents to Ray County, riding on horseback behind 
his father, and laughingly relates how lie occasion- 
ally fell off but pluckily tried it over again. Of a 
family comprising ten children, he is the youngest. 



But five of these are now living, as follows: Jehu 
and Mason, residing in Ray Count}', and Lewis, 
William and Van residing in Calif t)rnia. 

On reaching his majority, Mr. Frakes was united 
in marriage with Polly Allen, daughter of Isaac 
and Rebecca (Clevinger) Allen, of Tennessee, who 
emigrated to Missouri at an early day. .She was 
born in the year 1832, in Ray County, and her 
marriage with our subject was celebrated August !l, 
1849, soon after which they settled on the site of 
their now pleasant homestead. To them were born 
nine children, two sons and seven daughters, all 
married and settled near their parental home. In 
the order of their birth the family is as follows: 
Elvira, born November 12, 1854; Clarissa Jane, 
September 11, 1856; George W., February 5,1859; 
Mason, August 17, 1861; Pherriba A., August 
19, 1863; Psyche, Mrs. Odell, February 11, 
1865; Sina S., June 29, 1867; Samantha, Septem- 
ber 16, 1869; and Fannie L., on the 11th of 
April, 1874. Mr. and Mrs. Frakes have also pro- 
vided for and reared two orphan children be- 
side their own, and to all have given a good com- 
mon-school education. They have now eleven 
living grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. 

The history of the lives of our subject and his 
wife is that of difficulties overcome and obstacles 
conquered. They have passed through many hard- 
ships incident to pioneer life, and as a result of 
their years of toil and industry have now reached 
competence and well-earned repose in their advanc- 
ing years. They are the possessors of a lovely 
farm and home, from which their children have 
gone one by one, now leaving them alone. In 
early times Mr. Frakes was very fond of hunting, 
and is fond of relating his adventures in that di- 
rection. He has long been accounted one of the 
best citizens and solid financial men of the county. 
Politically, he is an old-line Democrat, and dur- 
ing the late Civil War was forced to join the 
guerrillas, though he participated in no battles. 

Mrs. Frakes, a very amiable and motherly woman, 
is justly proud of her family of children, who well 
remember how she ministered to their daily com- 
fort with love, tact and talent. Often in tlie still 
hours of night, after the family had all retired, she 
spent many an hour in making garments for them 



486 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



from cloth of her own manufacture, having waslied, 
carded and spun the wool, dying it witli bark from 
the trees of the forest, and afterward weaving it 
into cloth. Tiie worthy couple witli all their family 
excepting two aie esteemed members of the Baptist 
Church. Of late Mr. Frakes, though previously 
enjoying good health, has been sorely afflicted 
with liis eyes. He is 3'et active and energetic, man- 
aging all his business affairs as in former days. 



' ESSE B. RALPH. One of the prominent and 
well-to-do agriculturists and stock-raisers 
of Camden Township, who is quite as con- 
\^^ spicuous for his modest and retiring nature 
as for his intelligence and ability in the conduct 
of his magnificent farm, is he whose name is at the 
head of this sketch, lie devotes himself to gen- 
eral farming and gives much of his time to the 
raising of fine stock, making a specialty of fine 
horses and mules. Of these he now has forty-four 
head, including some very fine brood mares, ex- 
ceptionally speedy, and of the best pedigree. He 
recently added to his stud a handsome, well-bred 
trotting mare and two of her colts, the trio cost- 
ing him a very large sum, but which he justly con- 
siders well spent. 

Mr. Ralph is considered an autliority on all 
matters pertaining to the raising of fine stock, and 
is especialh' well posted on the good points of 
that noble animal, the horse. His farm seems to 
be exceptionally adapted to the raising of stock, 
for it is well watered and affords good grazing. 
Mr. Ralph has demonstrated to the entire satisfac- 
tion of himself and his neiglibors that it pays to 
raise a good grade of horses. All necessary sup- 
plies of grain and hay for keeping the stock in 
winter are raised on his farm, which comprises two 
hundred and forty acres of as fine farming land as 
the county of Ray can boast. This place represents 
much hard labor and enterprise, and is tlie visible 
result of the work of Mr. Ralph and his worthy 
wife, who has been his able assistant throughout 
the years of their union. This land is well im- 
proved by excellent farm buildings of all descrip- 



tions, and not the least of its attractions is a hand- 
some and substantial residence of modern style, 
conveniently arranged, and furnished in a manner 
that proves the lady of the bouse is possessed of 
good judgment and taste. 

Jesse R. Ralph was born July 20, 1854, a son of 
Z. D. Ralph, whose sketch appears in this volume. 
He was born and reared on the farm which he now 
owns, and is thus familiar with eveiy nook and 
cranny of the place and knows its possibilities as 
none other could do. Until eighteen years of age 
his time was devoted almost solely to the work of 
farming, but having obtained a good common- 
school education, he determined to further improve 
himself in this respect, and for that purpose en- 
tered AVilliam Jewell College, at Liberty, Mo., and 
later became a student in a commercial college of 
St. Louis, from which he was graduated in 1874. 
Immediately succeeding this he formed a partner- 
ship with F. S. Rhodes and embarked in the diy- 
goods business in Decatur Count}', Iowa, but their 
business was not as successful as they desired, and 
at the end of one year Mr. Ralph sold his interest 
in the stock to Mr. Rhodes and returned to his 
former home in Ray County. Settling on his 
present farm, he once more became a "son of the 
soil," and for some time was associated in this 
work with his father. 

On the 23rd of February, 1875, Mr. Ralph mar- 
ried Miss Mollie Foster, who was born and reared 
in Ray County, and who, in March, 1877, died 
a victim to consumption. In Jime, 1881, Mr. 
Ralph took for bis second wife Miss Minnie, 
daughter of Henry C. Perdue, the present Sheriff 
of Ray County (see sketch). Mrs. Ralph was born 
February 27, 1865, and her union with Mr. Ralph 
has resulted in the birth of four children, one of 
whom died in infancy. Maud, who was born 
March 19, 1882, is now attending school at Rich- 
mond and makes her home with her grandfather; 
the others are Mabel, born March 20, 1885; and 
Mona, born February 10, 1887. Mrs. Ralph is a 
model wife and mother, and with her husband ex- 
tends a cordial welcome to friend and stranger 
alike, their home being well known for its hospital- 
it}'. They are ever ready to extend a helping hand 
to those less fortunate than themselves and are gen- 




RESI DENCE OF J. B. RALPH , SEC. &S). T. 5!, R.28. RAY CO. f/IO. 



:!3•^-^a^^^.^is^ 






^"L- 



^j^g^- 






4!^-. 




RESiDElNCE OF OSCAR WOOD , SEC. 14. T 55, R. 18. CHARITON CO. MO. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



489 



erous in their contributions to causes they consider 
worthy of aid. Mrs. Ralph is not only a model 
wife and mother, but is also an excellent liouse- 
keepd- and is devoted to the interests of her fam- 
ily. Her energy and business talent have done 
much toward assisting them on the road to fortune, 
and on one occasion when her husband was absent 
for about tlirec months in the spring, she managed 
the planting and sowing of the 3"early crops, and, 
as Mr. Ralph says, did much better than he would 
have done. In addition to the above mentioned 
worthy qualities, she is also a consistent member of 
the Christian Church, and tliroughout her life has 
endeavored to do as she would be done by. 

The political ideas expressed by the Democratic 
party in its declarations are those which have been 
endorsed by Mr. Ralph, and he is ever on the alert 
for an argument with those who oppose him in 
politics. At one time his name was presented as 
candidate for County Clerk, but upon being de- 
feated for the nomination he submitted with an 
excellent grace and contentedly returned to his 
farm, to which he has since given his attention. 
He has served as a delegate to county and judicial 
conventions, in which he takes a prominent part. 



0-" 

^^ Chari 



(SCAR WOOD is an extensive farmer resid- 
section 14, township 53, range 18, 
riton County. His grandparents, Ben- 
jamin and Ellen (Green) "Wood, were born and 
reared in Kentucky, where their marriage was cele- 
brated. They emigrated West, becoming residents 
of Missouri not later than 1818, and located on 
what was then known as Foster's Prairie, in Ran- 
dolph County, where they remained but a short 
time. From that point they went to Chariton 
Couuty, and settled in Keytesville Township, 
where Mr. Wood acquired considerable property. 
About the year 183.5 they removed to Grundy 
County, where they purchased land, and there the 
father's death occurred in 1855, after which his 
wife went to live with our subject. Herdeatli oc- 
curred in 1862. 



B. F. Wood, Jr., was one of ten children, and 
was reared to farm life. In 1843, coming to Chari- 
ton Countj', he worked by the month for about 
two years. August 7, 1845, he married Ann G. 
Trent, daughter of Alexander and Mary (Hicks) 
Trent. The former was a native of Virginia, born 
in Buckingham Count}' in 1797. Soon after his 
marri.age in 1819, he removed to Missouri, and en- 
tered Government land in Missouri Township, of 
this county. He had been there but a short time 
when the floods of 1827 drove him into Old Chari- 
ton, where he lived for .some time. While residing 
there he was elected to the position of Sheriff, be- 
ing the first one in Chariton County. On the 
completion of his term of office he entered land of 
the Government in Missouri Township. After a 
number of removals, he settled on the forks of the 
Chariton, where he passed the remainder of his 
days. His death occurred in 1850, and that of his 
wife in 1843. 

After Mr. AVood was married, he located on 
Bowling Green Prairie, where he engaged in farm- 
ing. In 1850, he went across the plains to Cali- 
fornia, where he remained for two years, and on 
his return located on the forks of the Chariton 
two or three years, after which he purchased the 
place on which his wife is now living. In the AVar 
of the Rebellion he served under Gen. Sterling 
Price. They had five children, as follows: Maiy 
Ellen, wife of William Redding, of Carroll County; 
Eliza Franklin, wife of J. J. Moore, of Keytesville; 
our subject; Theodore P., who is engaged in the 
livery business; and Laura, wife of William H. 
Taj'lor, who resides on the old homestead. The 
father was called from this life Januaiy 1, 1889. 
He was an active member of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church. Politically, he was a Democrat, and 
socially was identified with Warren Lodge, A. F. 
& A. M., at Keytesville, and the Grange, in which 
he held various offices. His widow now resides on 
a farm of two hundred and forty acres, which was 
brought to its present state of improvement bv her 
husband. 

Oscar Wood, the subject of this sketch, was 
born May 24, 1852, in Keytesville Township, this 
county, and was reared on his father's homestead. 
He received a district-school education, and re- 



490 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



mained at home until twenty-four years of age. 
He was married October 14, 1875, to Miss Eugenia 
Coleman, a native of the same township as our sub- 
ject. Her father, E. B. Coleman, is engaged in 
farming on section 15, Keytesville Township. Af- 
ter his marriage, Mr. Wood purchased a farm about 
one mile from his father's, and made that his home 
from 1876 to 1883. At the last-mentioned date he 
sold the place and bought a farm on section 14. 
It comprised but sixty-four acres, and to this from 
time to lime he added land as opportunity offered. 
He has recently sold his original farm of sixty- 
four acres, and still owns three hundred and twenty 
acres, all of which is on section 14 and under good 
cultivation. He is engaged in general farming and 
stock-raising, keeping a good grade of horses and 
cattle. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Wood have been born four 
children: Berly F., Prella, Theodore P. and Mary 
Eliza. The family .attend the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church South, Mr. Wood being one of the 
Stewards and leading men of the cliurch. He was 
for some time Superintendent of the Sunday- 
school, and both he and his wife are liberal sup- 
porters of the church and Sunday-school. Mr. 
Wood is a member of the Ancient Order of United 
Workmen at Ke3'tesville and the Masonic frater- 
nity. He affiliates with the Democratic party. 



¥ 



^ ji,lLUAM H. CAMPBELL, M. D. The pro- 
' fession of the physician is a shining light 
for good and one that deserves the most 
thankful and appreciative consideration on the 
part of the public, for it very effectively operates 
in alleviating the pains and ailments to which the 
human body is heir. Dr. Campbell has devoted 
the greater part of his life to the welfare of his 
fellow-beings and has gained tiie confidence and 
good-will of the leading citizens and of the most 
talented members of the medical profession, who 
can not but acknowledge his abilitj^ to wrest many 
victims from the grasp of the Grim Destroj^er. 

Our subject was born in Libert3", Clay Count}', 
Mo., where he first saw the light in the vtar 1830. 



His parents were James M. and Evelyn (Pence) 
Campbell, the former of whom was a worthy tiller 
of the soil and died in 1834, leaving his widow 
with three children to rear and educate. Nobly 
did this faithful mother discharge her duties, lab- 
oring early and late in order to fit her children to 
bear the inevitable burden and heat of the day. 
.Tames M., Jr., attained manhood, married, and 
reared a family, a widow and eight children sur- 
viving iiim. John S., the youngest child, died in 
1882 in California, of which State he had been a 
resident since 1859. The Doctor is the only sur- 
viving member of the family, for the mother 
departed this life in 1870. The early days of Dr. 
Campbell were marked by many hardships, but 
thej- only tended to strengthen him in his deter- 
mination to attain ultimate success; and the educa- 
tion which the force of circumstances did not per- 
mit him to obtain by attendance at school, at first 
was secured by burning the midnight oil, and 
later b}- walking four miles dailj' to attend the 
academy at Richmond, where he made rapid 
strides in his studies and completed his course. 

At the age of twenty-two years Dr. Campbell 
commenced his medical studies with Drs. Henry 
and AVillis Hamilton, of Lathrop, Mo., remaining 
with them about fifteen months, when he entered 
the St. Louis Medical College, where he took a 
course of lectures. He then returned to Ray 
County and for fifteen months practiced medicine 
in order to obtain means with which to complete a 
thorough course in surgeiy and medicine, after 
which he returned to college and there success- 
f ultj^ pursued his medical researches until he grad- 
uated in March, 1856. After one year's practice 
in his native State he went to Texas, but returned 
to Ray County at the end of two and a-half years 
and was at Lexington when the battle was fought 
during the Civil War. The Doctor was known to 
be a Confederate s^'mpathizer and on these grounds 
was arrested by the Federals and taken to Rich- 
mond, from which point he was sent to Chillicothe 
and later paroled. He at once recommenced the 
practice of medicine and has continued the same 
up to the present time, it being a familiar sight to 
see him astride his faithful horse answering the 
calls oi his p.iticuls. His name is a familiar house- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, 



491 



hold word throughout Ra}' County, and in nearly 
every instance when called in professionally he 
becomes a warm friend of the family, his genial 
presence and sound intelligence being a passport 
to popular favor. He is no respecter of caste, and 
answers the calls of rich and poor alike, irrespect- 
ive of means. Through the many days and 
nights of exposure to wind and weather he has to 
a certain degree impaired his once rugged consti- 
tution and cannot face the elements as he once 
could, but asserts tiiat as long as he can ride he 
will care for afliicted humanity to the best of his 
ability. 

In 1867 our subject was married to Miss Lucy 
Ralph, a daughter of Dr. A. B. Ralph, of Ra}' 
County. Mrs. Campbell is a lady of great worth 
and has roared her two children in an intelligent 
and sensible manner. A. L., the eldest, was born 
January' 3, 1868, and is following in the footsteps 
of his venerable sire, having already commenced 
the practice of medicine and surgery in Columbia, 
Mo., in which he is meeting with cxtraordiuar}* 
success. He graduated at the College of Physi- 
cians and Surgeons of St. Louis, and at Marion 
Siram's Medical College of St. Louis, and is des- 
tined to make his mark in the medical world, hav- 
ing already gained considerable notoriety bj- hav- 
ing performed a very delicate surgical operation 
upon the e^-e successfully, besides many other dif- 
ficult surgical ojjerations. Gertrude, born April 
22, 1879, is being given good educational advan- 
tages, being an attendant at Stephens' Female Col- 
lege, of Columbia, Mo. 

Dr. Campbell has shown a decided talent for 
accumulating real estate and now owns thirteen 
hundred acres in the rich bottom lands of the 
Missouri River, as well as valuable property in 
Columbia and elsewhere. The Doctor saj's he 
never sold a foot of land in his life, but is still 
anxious to further increase his acreage, in order to 
leave his cliildren well provided for. He manages 
his own property, and looks after his tenants, who 
are ten in number, besides attending to his profes- 
sional duties, which are heavy. He is a most agree- 
able gentleman to meet, for he has a kind word 
for ever3'one, and has hosts of friends among "all 
sorts and conditions of men." He is a member of 



the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and a 
charter member of Ada Lodge No. 444, A. F. & A. 
M., at %rrick, Mo., and politically is a Democrat, 
but has never aspired to political preferment. 
Although not a churcli member he is a believer in 
Christianity and is a strong observer of the Sab- 
bath, and respects and admires all church associa- 
tions, with the exception of the Mcft'mon Church, 
for his father lost his life while lighting tiie fol- 
lowers of Joseph Smith, he being drowned by them 
in the Missouri River. 



'\ j OSEPH PRYOR, a prosperous general agri- 
culturist and successful stock-raiser, resides 
^^ I upon a finely cultivated homestead of one 
^^fj hundred and thirty-five acres located in 
township 51, range 31, about two miles south of 
Liberty, Clay County, Mo. An intelligent, indus- 
trious and energetic citizen, self-reliantly winning 
his way upward in life, he is a trul}- representative 
farmer of the Southwest, and is widely known and 
highly respected by the entire community by whom 
he is surrounded. He is a native of Kentuckj', 
and was born in Barren County, July 14th, 1830. 
His paternal grandfather, Samuel Pryor, was born 
in Virginia, but came to Kentuck}' when very 
young, and married Mary Curd, also a native of Vir- 
ginia. He afterward located upon a farm in Henry 
County, where the venerable father of our subject 
was born, Februaiy 20, 1804. George M. Pryor 
was one of fourteen children, tliree of whom died 
in infancy, eleven arriving at mature age. Of the 
large family who once gathered about the fireside 
of the old Kentucky home, he is to-daj- the sole 
survivor. 

The entire life of Father Prvor has been spent 
upon a farm. From his earliest bo3'hood trained 
to agricultural duties, his career has been one of 
honest and continued toil. When a little lad, he 
attended the district schools during the winter 
months, and gained a primary education whicli, 
combined with his natural ability' and force of char- 
acter, enabled him to acquire a comfortable compe- 
tence. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Lewis, 



492 



P0x4TRAIT AND BIOGEAPHICAL RECORD. 



of Barren County, Ky., in 1826. On his arrival 
in Clay County, Mo., nine years later, he purchased 
two hundred acres of land, then an unbroljen wil- 
dernes.s, and for which he paid 110 per acre. 
Enduring all the privations and discomforts of pio- 
neer lif€'. he devoted himself unweariedly to clear- 
ing his farm and tilling the fertile soil, which has 
since rewarded him most abundantly b}' an annual 
and bounteous liarvest. To his first purchase, Father 
Pryor afterward added two hundred and fifty 
acres more, the homestead now being one of the 
finest and most productive in Clay County. He 
gave to his three children a good public-school 
education, and provided liberally for them when 
they left home. 

In 1881 Death robbed the children and husband 
of the beloved mother and loving wife, the daily 
companion and patient and cheerful sharer in 
life's joys and sorrows, and took from the old home- 
stead the sunshine which had so long brightened 
it. Bereaved indeed. Father Pryor after eight 
j'ears of loneliness decided to abandon housekeep- 
ing and spend his remaining j'ears among his de- 
voted children. After a long life of busy useful- 
ness, lie has now in the evening of his days aban- 
doned active pursuits, and finds much enjoyment 
in the congenial pages of a paper and the society 
of old-time friends. A pronounced Democrat, he 
is thoroughly posted in the affairs of the day, and 
for many years intimately associated with the best 
interests of Clay County, continues a progressive 
and public-spirited citizen of sterling integrity of 
character. Our subject, Joseph Pryor, married 
Miss Margaret E. Ewing, a daughter of John and 
Ruth Ewing, natives of Kentucky and North Caro- 
lina respectively, Mrs. Ewing having come to 
Missouri with lier grandparents when but ten j'ears 
of age. 

The home of Mr. Pr}'or and his estimable wife 
lias been blessed b3' the birth of three children, 
two of whom died in infancy. Chatham, the sur- 
viving son and only living child, was born No- 
vember 8, 1860, and receiving the best educational 
advantages afforded b}' the home locality, attained 
to manhood an earnest, enterprising and upright 
citizen, respected and esteemed by all who know 
him. Like his honored father and venerable 



grandfather, he is a model farmer, and thoroughly 
posted in every detail of agricultural work. P>mula- 
ting their worthy example, lie is also a strong Dem- 
ocrat, clinging closely to tlie principles of the party 
of the people. Young in years, Chatham Pryor 
has already experienced the great and overwhelm- 
ing sorrow of liis life. He was united in marriage 
with Miss Ruth Arnold, a daughter of W. B. Ar- 
nold, formerly of Clay County, but now residing 
in Kentuckj'. Mrs. Ruth Pryor was born INIarch 
15, 1865, and was a highly cultured and most at- 
tractive young lady, in whom were united charms 
of person and mind. She became a bride upon 
December 22, 1887, and survived her marriage 
until July 26, 1888, when after a brief illness of 
two weeks she passed away, leaving to her be- 
reaved young husband and sorrowing relatives and 
friends the memory of a beautiful life, whose 
sweet fragrance will linger many years within 
the hearts of all who knew and loved the pure 
spirit now departed. Chatham Pryor resides 
with his parents upon the old homestead and the 
family, now numbering three generations, ever lend 
their firm support to the promotion of the grow- 
ing interests and rapid advancement of the home 
locality, endeared to each and all of them bj- 
tlie precious and sacred associations of the |)ast. 



^I^DWARD V. ADKINS. This, in brief, is 
»] the sketch of a man whose present substan- 
I t — ^ tial position in life has been reached en- 
tirely through his own perseverance and good 
judgment, and the facts connected with his opera- 
tions and their results only show what a perst)n 
with courage and enlightened views can accom- 
plish. His reputation, honesty and integrity liave 
been tried and not found wanting; his financial 
ability has been more than onca put to the test, 
but never without credit to himself; his social 
qualities are well known and appreciated, and he 
has hosts of friends whose esteem and confidence 
are his highest eulogium. He was liorn in the 
county in whicli he now resides. May 19, 1845.be- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



493 



ing the eldest son of D. J. and Elizabeth (Pence) 
Adkins, a sketch of wlioni appears in another part 
of this work. 

Edward V. Adkius remained with his parents 
until his marriage, his scliool days commencing at 
the early age of four ^'cai-s, at which time he was 
carried to and from the " hall of learning " by an 
old negress. When he was a very small child and 
while his parents were living at Weston, Mo., he 
was stolen by the Indians, but was recaptured while 
they were crossing the IMissourl River. After the 
death of his mother, which occurred when he was 
six years of age, his father made a change of resi- 
dence, and he then attended school two and a-half 
miles west of Liberty in the old log schoolhouse 
iu which his father had been initiated into the 
mysteries of learning. He later attended school 
in a substantial brick building in the same district, 
in which he fitted himself for entrance into Will- 
iam Jewell College, of which Prof. Thompson was 
at that time President, and which he attended for 
four years. About this time the school was broken 
up by Federal soldiers, who pitched their tents on 
the college campus; but as Edward V. was very 
anxious to continue his studies, his father gladly 
sent him to Mt. Gilead Academj', of which Prof. 
Geoi'ge Hughes and Prof. Bradley, assisted by 
Mrs. Hughes, formed the faculty. He remained in 
this institution one session, when the turbulent 
times of war also closed its doors, after which he 
and Prof. Thompson went to Sidney, Iowa, and 
assisted Prof. Bradley in organizing the Sidney- 
College, but Prof. Thompson lived only two weeks 
after the opening session. Mr. Adkins remained 
in this institution until Lee's surrender, when he 
returned to his home at Liberty, and soon after 
went to Nebraska for his live stock, which he had 
taken there at the opening of the war. 

In order to complete his education he entered 
the State University of Missouri, at Columbia, but 
after graduating from this institution he took a 
course in the Union Business College, of La Fay- 
ette, Ind., ill which he completed' a general book- 
keeping and banking course in 1882. From earl^' 
boyhood he was of a very stirring nature, and 
when only fifteen years of age he took one hun- 
dred and ten head of mules to Lexington, Ky., 



the journey to that place occupying but twenty- 
one days. During the trip he lost only one 
animal, that was drowned while swimming the 
Wabash River at Vincennes, Ind., this occurring 
during what was known as the " dry season." In 
1867 he spent seven months at his father's old 
home in Kentucky, after which for two years he 
was engaged in raising cotton on rented land in 
Texas; afterward for five and a-half mouths he 
was with Col. James Gaines, a full-blood hidian, 
in the Indian Territory, three and a-half months 
being spent without seeing a white man's face. 
While in the Lone Star State, twenty-two months 
passed iu which he never ate off of a table or slept 
in a bed, the entire time being spent in camping. 
At one time he shipped a large drove of cattle 
from McKinney to New Orleans, and when he ar- 
rived iu that city he found the yellow fever rag- 
ing, but he returned to McKinney the following 
day in safety. While in that place he stopped 
with Gall Sercey, a noted ruffian and robber. 

Upon the return of Mr. Adkius to Clay C'ount3', 
Mo., he began farming on three hundred and 
twent}^ acres of land east of Mt. Olive Church, and 
contentedly settled down to the uneventful life of 
a farmer after he had traveled over seventeen 
different States. November 8, 1882, he was mar- 
ried to Miss Susie H. Williams, daughter of John 
AVilliams, of Marshall, Calhoun County, Mich., 
having formed her acquaintance while visiting the 
old Indian Academ}', at Marion, Kan., where their 
marriage was celebrated. She only survived her 
marriage thirty -seven days, dying of malarial fever, 
and was buried at Liberty, Mo., where a monu- 
ment marks her last resting-place. She was a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Church. Mr. Adkins took 
for his second wife Miss Emma E. Pence, daugh- 
ter of Capt. W. H. Pence, her birth taking place in 
Clay County, February 13, 1867. She is ;igree- 
able, entertaining and intelligent, a good house- 
keeper and a model wife and mother. She was 
the seventh of nine children, six sons and three 
daughters, and is herself the mother of one child, 
William D., who was born February 16, 1885, and 
is now attending school, where he is exceptionally' 
advanced in his classes. 

Mr. Adkins follows a general line of farming. 



494 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and takes special interest in raising a good grade 
of stock. His farm comprises two hundred and 
twenty-eight acres of as fine land as there is in 
Clay County, the soil being exceptionally rich and 
the land well located. Near his beautiful resi- 
dence he can stand and see Kansas City, fourteen 
miles distant. Politically, lie is a Democrat, but 
is a strong supporter of the Grange movement. 

eYKlIS ROWELIv, a prosi)erous and enterpris. 
ing .agriculturist and old-time resident on 
section 20, township .'J7, range 19, Linn 
County, Mo., passed away at Brookfleld, on the 
24th of July, 1884, deeply regretted b^'a large cir- 
cle of friends. He was born in Loudon, Merrimack 
County, N. H., April 14, 1811, and was educated 
in the common schools of his native State, enjoy- 
ing the advantage of one term of instruction in 
the Gilmanton Academy. Mr. Rowell was united 
in marriage .Tuly 1, 18.38, with Miss Judith B. San- 
born, of Loudon, N. H. Mrs. Rowell survived her 
husband four years, and died upon the old home- 
stead farm near Brooklield, August 21, 1888. Mr. 
and Mrs. Rowell were consistent and valued mem- 
bers of the Congregational Church for more than 
half a century. Their children were eight in num- 
ber. Moses P., the eldest, died January 23, 1843. 
He was a successful farmer of Brookfleld Town- 
ship. Lyman B. is a gardener at Brookfleld.; Geor- 
gie is the wife of J. R. Green, a merchant at 
Lincoln, Neb; Henry C; Myra J. is Mrs. Dr. T. S. 
Huffaker, of Chicago. Three of the family are de- 
ceased, .lohn, Judith A. and Electa J. Mr. Rowell 
settled in Missouri in 1867 and purchased the 
farm, which then became his permanent home until 
his death. He was an upright man, and excellent 
friend and neighbor, and enjoyed the regard of the 
entire community by whom he was surrounded. 

Henry Clay Rowell, named in honor of one of 
America's greatest statesmen, was born in Loudon, 
N. H., August 17, 1857, and was the third son of 
Cyrus and Judith B. Rowell. He was ten years of 
age when the family came to Linn Count}', and 
attended the district schools of his now home. 



completing his studies at North Missouri Normal 
School, at Kirksville. Later he taught two terms 
in the country schools, and then devoted his time 
to the pursuit of agriculture, remaining with his 
parents upon the old farm. For several years 
previous to his father's death, he successfully con- 
ducted the homestead, to the ownership of which 
he succeeded, his brothers and sisters having been 
previously provided for by their father. Henry 
C. now owns one hundred and eighty-five acres of 
excellent land, highly cultivated and improved 
with first-class buildings. Mr. Rowell gives much 
of his attention to handling of stock, feeding and 
selling, after fattening for market. He is also in- 
terested in the culture of fruit, and is increasing 
the value of the homestead by .yearly additions to 
the orchard, now one of the most productive in 
this portion of the State. 

Henry C. Rowell was married June 5, 1883, to 
Miss Alice Lenharl, daughter of Cj^rus Lenhart, of 
Brookfleld, a well-known citizen, formerly of Linn 
County, but now of Houston. Texas County. He 
is a native Ohio an, but an earl}- settler of Missouri. 
Mrs. Rowell was born near Trenton, and has passed 
her entire life in her native State. Her mother, 
Mrs. Lydia (Splawn) Lenhart, was born in Ray 
County, her parents, AVilliam and Martha Splawn, 
having journeyed from near Nashville, Tenn., to 
Missouri, becoming one of the very early pioneer 
families of the latter State. They were driven 
from their home in Daviess Coimty by the Mor- 
mons, who came there and formed the Far West 
settlement before locating at Nauvoo, 111. The 
paternal grandparents of our subject were Moses- 
and Nancy (Levett) Rowell, who spent their lives 
in New England. The Rowells were supposed to 
be descendants of those brothers who came from 
Wales to the American colonies at a very early 
d.ay, and, settling in Massachusetts, there founded 
the family branch from which Henry Clay Rowell 
descended. His maternal grandfather, Sanborn, 
was of English ancestry. The family of Moses 
and Nancy Rowell, his paternal grandparents, was 
large in numbers, and comprised ten sons and 
daughters. They were John, Moses, Nancy, Mica- 
jah; Ruth, Mrs. .1. Batchelor; Asa T., Harris, Cy- 
rus. Kufus, and Sally L., Mrs. B. Martin. Of these 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



495 



brothers and sisters, once an unbroken band, 
nearly all have passed away, it now being nearly 
nine years since the father of our subject, the 
eighth of the grandfather's faniil3', died. 

Henry C. Howell is a member of the Congrega- 
tional Church, and a valued assistant in the social 
and benevolent work of that religious denomina- 
tion. Mrs. Rowell is connected with the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and gives her hearty support to 
the extension of the good work of that religious or- 
ganization. Fraternally, our subject is associated 
with the Independent Order of Good Templars, 
Farmers' and Labors' Union, and National Guard 
of Missouri. Politically, he is a Republican, and 
received the position of Enumerator of the town- 
ship south of the railroad for the tenth United 
States census. He is not an office-seeker, but takes 
an active interest in local and national issues, and 
in the public improvements of his home neighbor- 
hood, ever giving his heart}' support in behalf of 
progress and reform. 

|]_^ ENRY B. McMULLIN. The gentleman 
'' ^ whose name is at the head of this sketch, 
although no longer upon earth, still holds 
a firm position in the memorj- and affec- 
tion of his family and friends, and his untimely 
and violent death will long be a source of the 
deepest regret to those who honored and respected 
him in life. He was born in Ray County, .July 9, 
1854, being a son of Dillard and Ann (Regnold) 
McMullin, both of whom were born in the Blue 
Grass Region of Kentucky, where they were reared, 
educated and married. They removed from the 
State of their nativity to Ray County, Mo., dur- 
ing the early history of this section and first set- 
tled near Elkhorn, and about 1846 in the vicinity 
of Orrick, on a farm, where Mr. McMullin con- 
tinued to successfully till the soil until he was 
called upon to pay the last debt of nature, January 
5, 1886, at which time he was sevcnt3'-one 3ears 
of age. His widow continued to make her home 
near Ovrick mitil she was called to her long home, 
Februar}' Ki, 1892. at the advanced age of four- 



score and foui\ The following are living of 
their nine children: Thomas, a resident of .John- 
son Count}', Mo.; Eucinda, Mrs. Lloyd, of Hay 
County, Mo.; George W., also of Ray County; 
Findlay D., of Cameron, Mo.; and Henry B., the 
youngest of the family living. The following 
are deceased: William; .John, who left a family 
in Ray County; and two children who died in 
childhood. 

Ileni-y B. McMullin, as a boj', attended the com- 
mon schools in the vicinity of his rural home, and 
there absorbed what learning was necessary to an 
intelligent management of business affairs. He 
remained on the home farm with his parents, 
and there learned the duties common to a farmer 
lad. In the year 1876 he began devoting his 
attention solely to his own interests, became the 
owner of a fine farm of one hundred and two 
acres, and was considered a well-to-do and suc- 
cessful agriculturist. His land was carefully' cul- 
tivated and well stocked, and everything about 
the place indicated that a man of intelligent and 
progressive views, as well as one of great push 
and energy, had the management of affairs. Much 
of his attention was given to the raising of a 
good grade of stock, which enterprise he found 
to be not onl}- pleasing, but profitable. 

On the 11th of November, 1891, a team of 
mules ran away with him, throwing him to the 
ground, and, it is supposed, he was instantly killed, 
for life was extinct when he was found, which 
was not over twentj'-flve minutes after he had 
left home. In his political views he was a pro- 
nounced Democrat, although he never sought po- 
litical preferment, much preferring to devote his 
attention to the cultivation of his fine farm. He 
was an active advocate of the Farmers' Alliance, 
and enterprises that commended themselves to his 
excellent judgment found a prompt and liberal 
supporter, so far as his means would allow. On 
the 17th of November, 1880, he was united in 
marriage with Miss Ellen, daughter of Bradford 
and Ilila Loyd, who were originall}' from the 
State of Tennessee. Mrs. McMullin was born Maj' 
10, 1859, being the next to the youngest of the 
children whose names are here given: Robbins, 
Thomas H., .John and David, in California; Sam- 



496 



POKTRAIT AND BIOfJRAPIIICAL RECORa 



uel, in Idaho; Carrie, Mrs. Tacliel, of Kansas; 
James, of California; Mrs. McISIulUn; and Ed- 
ward, a resident of Ray County. 

Mr. McMullin left a son, Bradford, wlio was 
born October 30, 1887, and a daughter, Lela, born 
February 16, 1891. Mrs. McMullin has just com- 
pleted a fine farm residence, in the erection of 
which she simplj' carried out the expressed inten- 
tion of her husband, .and also conducts her farm 
as he had often planned to do. She is proving her- 
self to be an excellent business woman, eminently 
capable of looking after the details of her farm, 
and rearing her children in a proper and praise- 
worthy manner. She is an active member of the 
Baptist Church. 

eASSWELL COURTNEY is engaged in farm- 
ing on section 18, township 54, ransre 18, 
Chariton County. His farm com i)rises three 
hundred and eighty acres, which are under good 
cultivation. Since purchasing this farm in 1869, 
he has made many improvements, and in addition 
to general farming, is much interested in raising 
fine stock, which he makes his principal business. 

Mr. Courtney was born in Clark Countj', Ky., 
December 1, 1812. His j^arents, Lewis and Mar- 
garet (Reed) Courtnej', were natives of Virginia 
and Kentucky, respectively. Lewis Courtney was 
numbered among the early settlers of Kentucky, 
where he engaged in farming. He emigrated to 
Missouri at an early day, being among the pio- 
neers of Howard County, where he purchased land. 
He afterward sold his property in that county, re- 
moving to Pettis County, where he lived until 
called from this life. Of his seven children only 
three now survive: our subject; George, who re- 
sides in Texas; and Elizabeth, Mrs. Joseph Robin- 
son, of Pettis County, Mo. 

When about eight years of age, the .parents of 
our subject became residents of Howard County, 
and there he grew to manhood. His education 
was limited, and when still quite young, he served 
an apprenticeship to a tanner, afterward working 
as a journeyman at that trade until after he was 



married. He then purchased a small tanyard 
and engaged in business for himself for tlie suc- 
ceeding ten years. Going to Randolph County, 
for four years he engaged in buying and selling 
tobacco and smokers' articles, after wiiich he came 
to this county and purchased a farm of three hun- 
dred and twenty acres, the one on which he now 
makes his home, and which he has engaged in cul- 
tivating up to the present time. Since making his 
original purchase, he has added an additional sixty 
acres, and has one of the best farms in the town- 
ship. 

Mr. Courtney and Miss Martha Sears were united 
in mariiage in October, 1840. Her father, Ivison 
Sears, was a well-known farmer of Randolpii 
Count3\ Mrs. Courtne3''s death occurred in 1870. 
Of her seven children three were daughters and 
four sons. Those who are living are as follows: 
Luther, a farmer of this county; Commodore C, 
who is making his home on the farm with our sub- 
ject; Millard, who lives in this township; and Levi, 
who resides near Keytesville. Lizzie, now de- 
ceased, was the wife of Judge Stacey; Martha, de- 
ceased, married James Lucas; and George died in 
infancy. Mr. Courtney is a member of the Cum- 
berland Presbyterian Church, and is affiliated with 
the Democratic party. 



J'[ S.WILLIAMS, a prominent man of this 
I locality, is the popular Cashier of the Citi- 
I zens' Bank of Tina, Carroll County. He is 
^^1 pre-eminently a self-made man, having been 
thrown upon his own resources at the age of sixteen 
years. By his industry, perseverance and courage, 
he has risen in spite of all obstacles, and is one of 
the intelligent, wide-awake business men of the 
county. 

James AVilliams, the father of our subject, was 
of Dutch descent and a native of the Empire 
State. On arriving at his majority, he married 
Miss Nancy Shaffer, who w.is of English and Scotch 
extraction and wlio was likewise born in New York 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



499 



State. She was the mother of four children, of 
whom our subject was the only son. 

In Columbia County, N. Y., occurred the birth 
of J. S. Williams, the date of that event being in 
February, 1835. His boj'hood days were spent 
in his native county, where his education was also 
acquired. When quite young, he taught in the 
district schools of the neighborhood during a pe- 
riod of three years, and at the early age of nine- 
teen accepted a position as clerk in the bank at 
Kinderhook, where he remained for a like period 
of time. In 1858, he embarked in the manufac- 
ture of gloves, and mittens in Gloversville, N. Y., 
in which enterprise he continued for some three 
years. 

In 1862, Mr. Williams settled near Galesburg, 
III., and for seven years engaged in agricultural 
|)ursuits and general farming. In the fall of 1869 
he made a settlement in Carroll County, within 
three miles of the present site of Tina, where he 
carried on a farm until 1884. He then drew up 
a petition for the establishment of a postoffice 
at this point, which was granted. He was made 
Postmaster, which position he held acceptably to 
all concerned until July, 1886. In the following 
3'ear, he was elected Cashier of the Citizens' Bank 
of Tina, and is yet holding that situation. He 
still owns his farm property of one hundred and 
sixty acres, all of which is under cultivation and 
well improved. 

The year 1859 witnessed the marriage of Mr. 
AVilliams and Mi ss Jane II. Stan ley, a native of 
New York. Their union has been blessed with six 
children, four sons and two daughters, who are all 
living and respected citizens of the community in 
which they dwell. They are: Charles ,S., who is a 
farmer; James, residing in Galesburg, 111.; Jennie, 
the wife of .John Reader, of Galesburg; George, a 
rising young attorney at Tina, Mo.; Kate, a stu- 
dent in Avalon College; and Jacob L., who resides 
under the parental roof and is attending school. 
The devoted wife and mother was called hence in 
August, 1889, and the many friends whom she had 
won by her womanly and amiable qualities will 
ever hold her memory dear. 

Mr. Williams is a member of the Presbyterian 
Church and is a man of ii|night charnctcr and 

25 



sterling worth. lie is a thorough partisan of the 
Republican party and has ever been a strong 
Unionist. Personally, he is temperate in all his 
habits and a man whose courtesy and genial man- 
ner makes for him many friends. 



-^ 



WILLIAM T. IRMN. The family of which 
the subject of this sketch is a member, 
originated in Scotland, where the name 
was spelled Airvin, and so was always spelled by 
the father of William T., although his brothers, 
after the removal of the family to Illinois, began 
spelling it Irvin. When William T. was in the 
army, by some error the name was placed on the 
pay-roll as Irvin, although he had always spelled 
it as did his father. Afterward he began to sign 
his name Irvin, and has so continued to do ever 
since. The paternal great-grandfather was born 
in Scotland and upon crossing the ocean to Amer- 
ica during the Colonial period, he took up his 
residence in Virginia, from which State he enlisted 
as a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and after- 
ward died on his Virginia plantation. 

The grandfather, Stirling Airvin, was a native 
of the Old Dominion, and in 1841 became a resi- 
dent of Schuyler County, III., where he died five 
years later; his wife's death occurred in 1854. 
Like his father, Stirling Airvin was a farmer. His 
family consisted of ten children, two of whom 
were called from life in the State of Kentucky. 
Nathan, John, Henderson and Nancy preceded 
him to Illinois by about two _years. Upon his ar- 
rival in the State he brought with him his young- 
est son, James, and his 3'oungest daughter, Cassie, 
the eldest son, Alfred, remaining in Kentucky, 
where he spent the rest of his days. James now 
resides near Macomb, 111.; John lives in Iowa; 
Nancy died in Saline County, Mo., where she had 
moved with her husband; the others died in 
Illinois. 

The father of our subject, Osbourn J. Airvin, 
was born in Lincoln County, Ky., in 1811, and 
resided on a farm with his j)arents until his mar- 
riage to Martha, daughter of Thomas Hanisey, of 



500 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Kentucky, after which he rented land for two 
or three years, and in 1839 removed to Schuyler 
County, 111. He rented land until 1851, when he 
purchased a farm near Littleton, and there made his 
home until he was called from this life in 1859. 
He was an earnest member of the Baptist Churc^h, 
witli which his wife was also identified. Their 
children were: William T.; James, a farmer of Iowa; 
Mary, Mrs. Richard Cracraft, who died in Illinois; 
Angeline and Catherine, who died in infancy; 
Emma C, formerly a teacher in Sacramento, Cal., 
and now one of the proprietors of a college at San 
Jose, Cal.; Almira, the wife of C. Campbell, of 
Camden, 111.; Jerome, who died at Memphis, Tenn., 
while serving his country in the army of Tennes- 
see, being a member of the Sixteenth Corps; and 
Amanda, who is the wife of J. J. Miller, and re- 
sides in Topeka, Kan. 

William T. Irvin was born in Lincoln County, 
Ky., in October, 1837. When two years of age 
he was taken by his parents to Schuyler County, 
111., where he was reared to manhood. After the 
death of his father, he being the eldest of the 
family, in a great measure the burden of their 
support fell upon his shoulders. In August, 18()2, 
he enlisted in Com{)any F, One Hundred and 
Nineteenth Illinois Infantry, and in the following- 
October, on a one hundred days' leave of absence, 
he returned home and was married to Miss Sarah 
Wilson, daughter of J. M. and Lucy Wilson, of 
.Schuyler County, 111. At the expiration of his 
furlough he rejoined his company at Quincy, 111., 
and upon reaching Jackson, Tenn., went with 
Companies F and O to Toombs Station on picket 
duty. In February, 1863, when his regiment was 
at Humboldt, Tenn., he, with sixteen others, was 
taken sick with the measles, and for two months 
he was very low and entirely lost his speech. He 
finally recovered, and after that was in constant 
service until the war closed. For eight months 
thereafter he was on picket duty at Memphis. He 
participated in the engagement at Meridian, Miss., 
and while endeavoring to reinforce Banks, met 
the enemy at Pleasant Hill, whei-e a battle was 
fought, after which they succeeded in joining- 
Banks and covering his retreat, being engaged in 
combat every day for twenty days. On the 9ih 



of April, at Old Oaks on Red River, while Banks 
and his forces were crossing a pontoon bridge, the 
enemy was held in check by a large Federal force, 
of which Mr. Irvin 's company formed a part, and 
when evening came they also crossed the river and 
then destroyed the bridge. Following this his 
company once more engaged Forrest in battle about 
twenty miles from Memphis, and being routed, 
they went to Nashville. In the spring of 1865. 
they assisted in the capture of the forts near Mobile, 
soon after which they received the welcome in- 
telligence that Lee had surrendered. Our subject, 
however, did not receive his discharge until Sep- 
tember 5, 1865. 

Soon after the return of Mr. Irvin fi'om the 
war he went to Kansas, leaving his wife with her 
father in Illinois, and remained there for two years. 
At first he clerked in a mill, and later took con- 
tracts for grading on the Union Pacific Railroad, 
west of Kansiis City. In November, 1867, he re- 
turned to Illinois, and for two years farmed on 
rented land. In October, 1869, he "pitched his 
tent" in Chariton County, Mo., and for three 
years leased and worked land in the vicinity of 
Triplett. In 1873 he bought one hundred and 
sixty acres of unimproved land near Mendon, but 
two years later sold this and rented property for 
two years near Triplett. He then bought another 
farm near the same place, but three years later sold 
the property and bought another tract, which he 
also disposed of at the end of one year. 

Having traded some cattle for a stock of dry- 
goods in Triplett, Mr. Irvin conducted a mercan- 
tile establishment for about five months, after 
which he bought a small farm in the vicinity of 
Tri|)lett. He also purchased a stock of goods 
which he put in charge of one his sons, but the es- 
tablishment was burned, without insurance. Fol- 
lowing tills he purchased a half- interest in a lum- 
ber-yard, and after becoming- sole proprietor at 
the end of one year, he placed it in charge of one 
of his sons, sold his farm and went to Excelsior 
Springs, where he kept an hotel for one 3'ear. In 
November, 1890, he bought the farm on which he 
is now living, and which consists of two hundred 
and eight3'-nine acres. Here he devotes his atten- 
tion to general farming, and makes a specialty of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



501 



raising a good grade of horses. He has a fine 
young Ilambletonian horse and expects soon to 
add some thoroughbred mares to his collection. 
It is his intention to raise fine trotters and road- 
sters, and as he is an excellent judge of fine horses 
he will without doubt be successful in this line of 
work. 

Mr. [rvin is the Postm.aster at Snyder. He was 
tiie candidate fur County Judge on the Republi- 
can ticket at the last election. He has a remarka- 
ble memory for facts and dates and on all matters 
of public interest is well posted and intelligent. 
He and his vvife are members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church South. .Socially, he belongs to 
Pinkart Post, G. A. R., and to the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows. His children are as fol- 
lows: Asa G., a hardware merchant and Postmaster 
at Triplett, who married EstcUa Maddock; Minnie, 
who died August 29, 1880, at the age of twelve 
years; Edward, Ida and Ray, who are at home. 



J(^HN W. MOLING, furniture dealer and 
undertaker in Hale, Carroll County, is a 
native of Maryland, his birtli having oc- 
curred in Frederick County, July 1, 1847. 
lie is a son of Singleton and Calnira (Harris) Mo- 
ling, who were likewise born in Maryland. The 
paternal grandfather of our subject, Samuel Mo- 
ling, emigrated from England at an early day. 

The bo3 hood days of John Moling were passed 
in the county of his birth, where he attended the 
common schools and afterward learned the trade of 
cabinet-making. He remained in Maryland, work- 
ing industriousl}' at his trade, until 1865. In 1867, 
believing that the West afforded greater opportu- 
nities to a young man of determination and en- 
ergy, he left the crowded East and journeyed to 
Missouri. He settled in Cameron, Clinton County, 
where he continued to reside for two years, after 
which he lived for a time in Hill Countj-, Tex., 
whither he went about 1869. In 1878 he engaged 
in the furniture business in Pattonsburgh, Daviess 
County, this State, wiiere he successfully conducted 
tlie same for a period of seven years. He (hially 



located in Hale in the fall of 1889, and up to the 
present time has carried on a retail furniture trade 
in connection with undertaking. 

In 1872,Mr. IMoling was united in marriage wilii 
Miss Jane Grantham, who is a daughter of Garrett 
Grantham, of South Carolina. Two children have 
blessed the union of our subject and wife, a daugh- 
ter, Daisy, and a son, Claude. Both parents are 
devoted members of the Methodist Episcoi)al 
Church South. Mr. Moling is a populist in his 
political views, and as a citizen is progressive and 
public spirited. 



ENRY J. l?KRG110FER,tlio i)resent ellicicnl 
Ma3'or of Hale, and President of tlie Peo- 
ple's Bank, is also a dealer in iiardware, 
stoves and tinware in that vill.age. He 
was born in Marion County, Mo., November 26, 
1852, and is the second son of a family of six 
children whose parents were Henry and Henrietta 
(Schaller) Berghofer, who were both natives of 
Germany. The father was an engineer b^^ occu- 
pation and was one of the earl}' settlers in Marion 
County, Mo. 

In the usual duties incident to farm life our 
subject was early initiated, as his boyhood was 
spent on his father's farm in Marion County. His 
primary education was tliat of the district schools 
of the neighoorhood, which was afterward supple- 
mented 1)3' a course in the High School at Palmyra. 
When eighteen years of age, he learned the tin- 
ner's trade, which calling he followed until 1878. 
At that time he embarked in the hardware busi- 
ness at Slater, Saline Count}', this State, where he 
remained for five years. In 1884 he settled in 
Hale, where he has since successfully conducted a 
hardware, stove and tinware trade. 

The year 1880 witnessed an important event in 
the history of our subject, for he was then united in 
marriage with Miss Mollie Schoess, of Linn Count}', 
whose father, Cliristian Schoess, was a native of 
the Fatherland. Of their union was born a daugh- 
ter. Flora, hi July, 188:5, Mrs. Berghofer was called 



502 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



to the home beyond, leaving man^' friends to 
mourn her loss. In 1885, Mr. Berghofer married 
Miss Carrie Liborious, of Palmyra, Mo., who died 
in 1889, leaving on son, Myrthen. The same year 
our subject married his present wife, who was 
formerly Miss Dora Nottrott, of Brookfield, Linn 
County. They have a daughter, Bertha, who is a 
bright and charming little one. 

In 1891 Mr. Berghofer was elected Mayor of Hale 
and has proved himself able and efficient. Polit- 
icall}', he is a stalwart Democrat and is considered 
a public-spirited man. He and his estimable wife 
are members of the Lutheran Church. 

g , . c -=l.^.JH^ B-?r ' gj 



\1? SAAC M. WISEMAN is engaged in general 
I farming and stock-raising on section 36, town- 
Ill, ship 54, range 19, of Chariton County. He 
is making a specially of raising high-grade cattle, 
particularly Shorthorns. He was born in Estill 
Country, Ky., February 20, 1837, his parents being 
Isaac and Frances (Daniel) Wiseman. The pater- 
nal grandfather of our subject served all through 
the Revolutionary War, participating in many of 
the hardest fought battles, in one of which he was 
wounded. Isaac Wiseman, Sr., was born and reared 
iu Virginia, emigrating to Kentuck}^ when a young 
man. His wife's father, Beverly Daniel, was in 
active service and was wounded in the War of the 
Revolution. He lived to the great age of one hun- 
dred and four years, while his wife attained the age 
of ninety-eight 3'ears. After his marriage, j\Ir. Wise- 
man engaged in farming and stock-raising in Ken- 
tucky, where he resided until his death in March, 
1852. His wife had departed this life in 1841, 
leaving a family of five children to mourn her 
loss. Of these four grew to manhood and woman- 
hood: John A., who went West; Robert C, who is 
now deceased; our subject; and Mary J., wife of 
C. D. Barnes, who lives in Brunswick Township, 
Chariton County. 

Mr. Wiseman, of this sketch, was reared and 
educated in Estill County, Ky., and when sixteen 
years of age drove a wagon from that State to 
Iowa, whence after remaining about one j'ear lie 



returned to the old home. He then engaged in 
farming for himself, and while a resident of Estill 
County was Deputy Sheriff under his uncle, II. B. 
Wiseman. In 1861, he enlisted in the Confederate 
arm}', becoming First Lieutenant of Company' E, 
Fourth Kentucky Cavalry. At the expiration of 
his service he went to Iowa, where he worked at 
the cabinet-maker's trade for some years at Mon- 
terey. 

In that city occurred the marriage of our sub- 
ject with Miss Martha J. Hockersmith in 1866. 
Mrs. Wiseman is a daughter of Jefferson Hocker- 
smith, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser of 
Davis County, Iowa. He is quite wealthy and is 
an extensive money-loaner. After his marriage, 
Mr. Wiseman remained in lovva for two years, after 
which he removed to Saline County, Mo., which 
he made his home for one year. In 1871 he be- 
came a resident of Chariton County, living for one 
3'ear at Mendon, from which place he came to his 
present farm, which he now owns. For the first 
five years he rented this property, and for the suc- 
ceeding two years lived on an adjoining farm, 
after which he bought the farm on section 36. 

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Wiseman has been 
blessed with a family of six children, five of whom 
are still living: Isaac B., Wedon M., Anna Laura, 
Maiy F. and Mattie E. The son they lost was called 
John C. Biecken ridge. Our subject is a strong Dem- 
ocrat and has always taken an active interest in 
politics and in all public affairs. 



ENKY C. PREWITT, who for the past two 
terms of office has so efficiently discharged 
the responsible duties of Treasurer of Linn 
y; County, Mo., has long been a prominent cit- 
izen of the State and intimately associated with the 
rapid advancement and upward progress of the best 
interests of his locality'. Reared in Linn Count}' and 
at home in Linneus from early childhood, our sub- 
ject has an extended acquaintance in this part of 
Missouri, but is a native of Howard Count}' and 
was born in Fayette June 29, 1835. His parents 
were David and Nancy (Turner) Prewitt. The 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRArillCAL RECORD. 



503 



father was born in Halifax County, Va., December 
21, 1791, and was the son of Anthony Prewitt, 
a brave and gallant patriot who served with dis- 
tinction in the Revolutionary War. When Father 
David Prewitt was in his boyhood lie removed 
from the Old Dominion to Richmond, Madison 
County, Ky.,and there attaining manhood, married 
Miss Nancy, daughter of I'liilip Turner, an old 
resident of the State. 

In 1819, with his wife and two children, David 
Prewitt journeyed upon horseback to Missouri, he 
and his wife each carrying before them on the sad- 
dle a child. Their household- goods were trans- 
ported by water to Old Franklin, where they lo- 
cated, and Father Prewitt engaged in the butcher's 
business with Phillip Barnes. David Prewitt was 
Sheriff of Howard County in a very early da3-,and 
having filled this office with ability, afterward be- 
came one of the leading merchants of Fayette, 
thence removing to Rocheport, Boone County, 
where he successfully conducted a hotel. In 1840 
he located in Linn County, settling near Linneus, 
where he bought land and .again entered into mer- 
cantile business, in which he continued prosper- 
ously until 1852, when he retired from active em- 
ployment. This able and energetic citizen was one 
of the first Countj' Treasurers of Linn Count}^ and 
held this honored position, discharging its duties 
most faithfullj-, for several years. He was also the 
United States Census Enumerator of Linn County 
for 1850, and for several j'ears served impartiallj^ 
as Justice of the Peace, his decisions being ever 
rendered strictly according to law and evidence. 

David and Nancy (Turner) Prewitt were the 
parents of nine children, all of whom attained to 
mature age and four yet survive. The living chil- 
dren are Catherine, the widow of William Mor- 
rain; Nancy, wife of Daniel Ilaakins, residing in 
Ren ton. Wash.; Margaret, wife of Capt. R. G. 
Waters, who has retired from the army and re- 
sides in Linneus; and Henry C, our subject. 
Upon the 20th of December, 1873, David Prew- 
itt, after many years of public usefulness, passed 
away, regretted by all who knew him. His wife 
had preceded him to the better land, having 
died March 16, 1870. Our subject was five 3-ears 
old when his parents removed to Linn County, 



where he received an education in the public 
schools, being earl^^ trained into business methods 
and routine in his father's store. April 18, 1852, 
Mr. Prewitt started upon a long trip across the 
plains to California and was five months making 
the wearisome journey. Upon the 29th of June, 
his birthd.aj', he celebrated the seventeenth return 
of the anniversary while about midwa}- on the 
plains. Arrived within the Golden State, our sub- 
ject engaged in mining with fair success and re- 
turned home with $2,000. 

Once again in Linneus, Mr. Prewitt embarked in 
the mercantile business for himself, and for a full 
quarter of a century continued in the same, but 
during the latter part of that time resided upon a 
farm and also engaged in agricultural pursuits. 
Upon the 22d of February, 1857, our subject and 
Miss Mary Frances Hunt were united in marriage. 
Mrs. Prewitt is the daughter of Henry M. Hunt, of 
Raj- Countj-, Mo., a prominent farmer and stock- 
raiser, widely known and highly respected. The 
pleasant home of Mr. and Mrs. Prewitt has been 
blessed with the presence of seven children, five of 
whom are yet living. Flora L. married W. S. 
O'Rear and they have resided in Brookfield but 
are now about to locate in Beloit, Kan.; Mr. O'Rear 
is a successful merchant. Elizabeth is married to 
Thomas Atkinson, a merchant of Middlesborough, 
Ky. Corda C. married Sharon Palmer. Margaret 
Gertrude married E. A. Carey, a telegraph operator 
in Linneus. Fannie Clay is a teacher of vocal and 
instrumental music in the Christian College, at 
Columbia, Mo. Birdie, a bright little one, died at 
the age of two years, and Paul passed away in in- 
fancy. Our subject and his estimable wife are 
foremost in the benevolent and social enterprises 
of their locality, and their daughters in their sev- 
eral homes enjoy the respect and confidence of all 
who have the pleasure of their acquaintance. 

Fraternall}-, Mr. Prewitt is a valued member of 
the Indei)endent Order of Odd Fellows and be- 
longs to the Select Knights of the Ancient Order 
of United Workmen and has been .an iionored offi- 
cer in both of these societies, holding an impor- 
tant position in the society of Odd Fellows since 
1857. Politically, our subject is a pronounced 
Democrat and an ardent advocate of the partj- 



504 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



foiinded by the immortal Thomas Jefferson. In 
1888, Mr. Prewitt was elected to the office of 
County Treasurer of Linn County and was re- 
turned again to serve a second term, having justly 
gained through an unvarying course of rectitude 
and cfliciency the confidence of his fellow-citizens. 
A half-century of close companionship with his 
present surroundings lias prominently identified 
our subject with the wonderful changes wrought by 
the past years in Linn County, where he has long 
taken an active part in the promotion of enterprise 
and local improvement and is classed among the 
most progressive and public-spirited of its citi- 
zens. 



^=^EOR(tK D. COPELANO, well known in 
III __ Chariton County as an enterprising farmer 
^^^jj and successful stock-raiser, occupies and 
owns a highly improved pla(3e on township 53, 
range 17. Through his own unaided exertions he 
has attained a foremost position among the pros- 
perous citizens of the county, and his life fiu-nishes 
an example well worth.y the emulation of those 
just starting out m life. As a farmer, his opera- 
tions have been characterized b}' unceasing indus- 
try, tireless energy and excellent judgment, quali- 
ties which have contributed largely to his success. 

A native of Leeds Count}', Canada, our subject 
is the son of Joseph and Euritli (Philips) Cope- 
land, the mother born in County Wexford, Ireland, 
May 24, 1819, and the father in Leeds Count}-, 
Canada, April 17, 1815. Grandfather Copeland 
followed the profession of a teacher in Ireland, 
.and later in Canada, where he died. An uncle, 
Richard Derency, was one of the noble Six Hun- 
dred who won immortal fame in the Crimean 
War, and also fought bravely in the battle of 
Waterloo. At an early day the family occupied 
the Copeland Islands in the Atlantic Ocean, and 
some of its representatives settled in this country 
shortly after the close of the Revolutionary War. 

The famil}' of which our subject is a member 
consisted of nine children, all of whom grew to 



mature years, and seven of whom still survive: 
Susan, who was born in Leeds County, Canada, 
married J. II. Green, and resides in Salisbury; 
Emma, Mrs. Ephraim Hill, deceased, made her 
home in Nebraska; Robert T., who was born Aug- 
ust 16, 1846, married Kate Mclntyre, and died in 
Manitoba May 13, 1892; Naomi married Tiiomas 
Gregory, and resides in Ontario; Elizabeth, Mrs. 
Thomas Robertson, lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba; 
Eurith, the wife of L. C. Mclntyre, is a resi- 
dent of Manitoba; Araminta, Mrs. J. C. Hays, 
makes her home in Listowel, Ontario; and Miriam, 
who was united in marriage with D. B. Keuellej', 
and resides in Toronto, Ontario. 

At the age of thirteen, our subject left school 
and engaged as clerk in a mercantile establishment 
for three years, after which he learned the trade 
of a carpenter and joiner, and followed that occu- 
pation up to the time of his marriage. That im- 
portant event took place in Chariton County, Mo., 
in 1873, the bride being Miss Mina B. AVilliams, 
who was born in Chariton County, in 1855. Her 
parents, Samuel and Patsey Williams, where among 
the oldest settlers of this count}', where they were 
well known and universallj' esteemed. Both were 
natives of Kentucky, the father having been born 
in 1806, and the mother in 1811. Four children 
have been born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. 
Copeland, three of whom are now living: Thomas 
J., who was born in Salisbury', May 2, 1875, is at- 
tending the Northern Missouri Institute; Anna V., 
born in Chariton County, January 12, 1882; and 
Robert T., born March 19, 1888, are bright and in- 
teresting children; Joseph M., born April 8, 1878, 
died January 6, 1881. 

In 1876 Mr. Copeland purchased a tract of one 
hundred and sixty acres, for which he paid i(12.50 
per acre. Tlie land was in a poor state of cultiva- 
tion at that time, and contained no buildings. In 
1884 he purchased one hundred and twenty-four 
acres, at a cost of -1)3,600, a farm which, like the 
above-mentioned, contained no improvements of 
a substantial order. It required constant exer- 
tion on the part of Mr. Copeland to bring his 
property' to its present highly improved condition, 
and his efforts have been untiring to accomplisii 
the imi)roveinent of his land. Lately Mr. Cope- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



606 



land has made an additional purchase of land. In 
addition to general farming, he has made a spe- 
cialty of stock-raising, in which he has met witli 
more than ordinary- success. He keeps on his place 
a large number of Shorthorn cattle and Cotsvvold 
sheep, which prove remunerative financially. He 
also owns an interest in forty town lots in Salis- 
l)ury, an investment which has been quite profit- 
able. 

The Baptist Church at Salisbury numbers among 
its most active members Mr. and Mrs. Copeland 
and their elder son. In his political connections 
our subject has always been firm in his adherence 
to the principles of the Democratic partj^, and 
served his fellow-citizeijs acceptably as School Di- 
rector and Clerk for many years. All public mat- 
ters of general importance find in him an active 
supporter and stanch advocate, and while he has 
never aspired to office, preferring to devote his 
attention exclusively to his business and his fam- 
ily, he yet maintains a deep interest and takes an 
active part in local politics. As above stated, his 
career contains much that is worthy of emulation, 
and furnishes a lesson to the aspiring poor. When 
he came to Missouri he had but $2, and his pres- 
ent prosperity is the resvilt of his intense and un- 
remitting industry. F'ew citizens of Chariton 
County have been as closely identified with the 
progress of Salisbury' as he, and prior to the year 
1876 he aided in the erection of ever}' house 
built in that city. 



l-^-l^l 



M^m^:^;^ 



(J, I^ILUAM R. KENDALL, .lustice of the 
\/\//i i'fi^ce, and a leading farmer and stock- 
'^^ raiser of townshi[) 51, Ray County, was 
born on the present liomestead November 9, 1862. 
His farm, which is one of the finest in this locality, 
is situated on section 5, range 29, and the verj' log 
cabin in which he first saw the light is still stand- 
ing, a memento of early pioneer life. 

Benjamin Kendall, the father of our subject, 
was born in Covington, Ohio, in 1810, but came to 
Missouri at an early date and settled in Richmond, 
Ray County. lie was a book-keeper in the bank 



of that city for some length of time and later be- 
came one of the successful teachers in the public 
schools of the county. He afterward settled upon 
a farm, the one which is now in the possession of 
our subject, and which consisted of two hundred 
acres. To its cultivation and improvement he de- 
voted himself until his untimely and unfortunate 
death in October, 1862. Within one and one- 
fourth miles of his home he was killed by Mere}' 
County Federalists, as he was well known to be a 
prominent Confederate and had been in the ser- 
vice. His wife was formerly Miss Mary McCo}', 
whose birthplace was m Cocke County, Tenn., but 
who was reared in Clay County, Mo. She was a 
daughter of Fielding McCo}', one of the pioneers 
of C'lay Count}', who died at an advanced age, 
enjoying the respect and high regard of his man}' 
friends. 

William R. Kendall is one of two children and 
an only son. His sister, now Mrs. Wolf, resides 
within one and a-half miles of the old homestead 
where her girlhood was passed. At the time of 
his father's death, our subject was a lad of but 
eleven j-ears, and like a dutiful son he remained at 
home assisting his widowed mother in the care of 
the farm. By his labor and love he brightened 
up the darkened home bereft of an afl'ectionate 
husband and father, and at the same time he strove 
manfully to obtain an education befitting his 
life's duties. By his earnest endeavor, energy and 
perseverance he has accomplished his purpose to a 
degree beyond which manj" young men under 
more favored circumstances and our present edu- 
cational advantages yet make a signal failure. He 
tenderly cared for his mother until her death, 
which occurred November 10, 1878, after an illness 
of only two weeks. She was one of Nature's 
noblest women, a fond mother, a kind friend and 
neighbor, beloved b}' all who knew her and de- 
voted to the memory of her departed husband. 

On March 8, 1872, Mr. Kendall and Mrs. Fran- 
ces Allen, widow of Silas Allen, and who bore the 
maiden name of Lcmar, were married. By. her 
former marriage she had one son, Willie, who 
was nine years of age at the time of his father's 
death. Two children have gladdened the home 
of Mr. and Mrs. Kendall: Leiar G., born January 



506 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



10, 1883; and Mar3' B., whose birth occurred No- 
vember 4, 1885. 

Foremost among the citizens and farmers of his 
townsliip is Mr. Kendall, who is a thrift}- and suc- 
cessful agriculturist and stock-raiser. His farm is 
of a rich alluvial soil, well adapted for general 
purposes. The log cabin of former years has been 
replaced with a fine and convenient farm residence, 
which was erected by our subject. Both he and his 
estimable lady are examples of the true Southern- 
ers, whose courtesy makes a stranger feel so wel- 
come to their hearthstone. They have a pleasant 
word for every one and a helping hand for the 
need}-. Mr. Kendall is a strong advocate of the 
Democratic part}' and an ardent worker in Lodge 
No. 193, A. F. it A. M., of Missouri City. He 
was for six 3-ears .Junior and Senior Warden of 
his lodge and is now Master of the same. 

^^^EORGE Y. NALL, a prosperous agriculturist 
jl[ ^—^ and stock-raiser of Gallatin Township, Clay 
^vQjf Count}', resides on section 30, township 51, 
range 32, and is widely known as an enterprising 
and energetic citizen, public spirited and progress- 
ive. Our subject comes of patriotic ancestry. 
His paternal grandfather, William Nail, was an 
officer in the Revolutionary War, and served his 
country bravely and faithfully in the struggle for 
liberty, retiring from the field at the close of his 
military duties with the well-won title of Colonel. 
Later, in 1812, this courageous and patriotic man 
a second time took up arms in defense of the Gov- 
ernment and was killed at the Ixattle of River 
Raisin. 

The parents of our subject, William and Mourn- 
ing (Harrison) Nail, had a family of seven chil- 
dren, of whom five are yet living. The father was 
born in Kentucky in 1802, and came to Clay- 
County, Mo., in November, 1827. He was a cooper 
by -trade, but devoted the most of his life to the 
duties of general agriculture and stock-raising. 
At one time he owned nine hundred acres of ex- 
cellent land, much of it under cultivation. A 
good manager, hard working and industrious, he 



was prospered until the breaking out of the war, 
but during that disastrous period in our national 
existence lost heavily, and was at least $20,000 
poorer when it was ended than he was when the 
struggle began. In political affiliations he was a 
Whig, and was ever interested in the outcome of 
all national issues. He and his worthy wife were 
members of the Baptist Church and were ever fore- 
most in the promotion of the benevolent work of 
that denomination. William Nail died in 1883, 
and the faithful companion of his joys and sor- 
rows passed away two years later. Mrs. Mourning 
(Harrison) Nail was a member of the family from 
which President Harrison is descended. 

The brothers and sisters of George Y. Nail are 
William H., who resides in Clay County upon a 
farm; Henrietta, the wife of F. M. Barnes, a farmer 
and stock-raiser of Clay County; C. H., who died 
near the home of our subject; Anna, the wife of 
George W. Winn, a general agriculturist and stock- 
raiser; and MoUie, who married Granville Griffith, 
and lives upon a farm. The sixth child in the 
family is our subject, whose birth occurred in 
1839. He received a good common-school educa- 
tion, and in 1866 entered into the bonds of mat- 
rimony. His estimable wife was Miss Anna E. 
Baker, a daughter of Josiah and Sarah (Turner) 
Baker, and was one in a family of three children. 
Mary R., born in 1847, is the wife of C. M. Russell; 
Thomas M. lives in Clay County, Mo. 

The pleasant home of Mr. and Mrs. Nail has 
been blessed by the birth of eight children, seven 
of whom yet survive. E. B., born in 1866, resides 
at home; Mary T., born in 1868, died in 1870; 
Lenora, who was born in 1870, married A. S. Kel- 
sey, a farmer of Clay County; George E., born in 
1873; Lena B., in 1876; Cary H., in 1878; Rosa N., 
in 1883; and Mary Ozilla, in 1889, are at home. 

In 1861, our subject enlisted in the State troops. 
Company B, Third Regiment, under Capt. Dough- 
erty, and took part in the battles of Lexington, 
Wilson's Creek, and Pea Ridge, as well as various 
skirmishes, being victorious in e.ach engagement. 
Mr. Nail received his discharge papers at Van 
Buren, Ark., in 1862, and after brave and untiring 
service returned to his home. The valuable acre- 
age used by him for agricultural and stock-raising 




OLD BRINING HOMESTEAD , SEC. 6 . T. 51 . R,3I. CLAY CO MO. 



»^^^;, is "MH- 



mi" 






'^''^^^^ 






'^--C t y 



J"l| ^tli i^ 1 M ^ i;; 



r- 1 ^ 







"FAIR view!' residence OF GEO. Y. N ALL , SEC. 30. T. 51. R. 32. CLAY CO. MO 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



509 



is extensive, and the greater portion of the seven 
hundred acres is under a high state of improve- 
ment. Mr. and Mrs. Nail liave a large circle of 
friends and are highly esteemed by all who know 
them. Mrs. Nail is an active member of the 
Christian Church. Politically, our subject is a 
Democrat, and a strong advocate of the principles 
of his party. An upright, earnest and conscien- 
tious man, he has worthily won his way upward, 
and, spending almost his entire life in this locality, 
has ever aided in its material progress and ad- 
vancement. 



ylLLIAM H. BRINING. Our subject is a 
i-etired farmer of Liberty, who is now en- 
joying the fruits of a life stretching 
through many years of active toil; and none ac- 
quainted with liim during the time of his active 
career will begrudge him his present leisure. He 
was born in Buffalo, N. Y., and is the son of Will- 
iam Brinipg, a native of England, born January 
20, 1820. The father emigrated to this country 
when a young man and located in Buffalo, N. Y. 
He was married in England to Miss Mary Ann 
Shaw, a native of that countrj', born on the 22d 
of December, 1823. 

After residing in Buffalo for three years Mr. 
Brining, Sr., removed his family to Liberty, Mo., in 
1850. Here for ten j'ears he carried on the trade 
of a tailor, which he had learned in England, and 
made goods to order. For fourteen years he was 
Deputy County Clerk and County Clerk, the former 
position being held under Thomas McCarthy. He 
was admitted to the Bar at Liberty, and practiced 
law there for several years, obtaining his license 
before his election as County Clerk and attending 
to his professional duties at the same time tliat he 
conducted the office named. 

This worthy man passed from life .Tune 10, 1874, 
in the fifty-fifth year of his age. His wife, who 
survived him, and who wasa most estimable woman, 
departed this life April 6, 1891, aged sixty-eight 
years. She w.as the mother of seven cliildren, 
five of whom are living, namely: Susannah; Will- 



iam H., the subject of this sketch; Julia, wife of 
John J. Gaw, a manufacturer of carriages; Bertha 
B., who married A. S. Brown, a prominent farmer 
and public-spirited citizen; and Edward J. II. The 
last-named married Miss Courtney Virginia Roberts, 
by whom he had two children, Virginia C. and 
Robert E. Mrs. Brining departed this life May 6, 
1892, and since that time Edward J. H. has made 
his home with his brotlier, our subject. William 
II. is a bachelor and occupies the old liorae in Lib- 
ertj', his sister Susannah being his housekeeper. 
The family residence is located in the northern part 
of the citj', and is one of the attractive homes of 
Libertj'. 

As a citizen, Mr. Brining is enterprising and 
public-spirited, giving his active support to all en- 
terprises calculated to promote the welfare of the 
city and the interests of the people. His sterling 
honesty and manly qualities are recognized by all 
with whom he has business relations, and wherever 
he is known, in business and social circles, he is 
alike esteemed. To such men as he is due the prog- 
ress of the community along the lines of financial 
and material development. 



<| I^ILLIAM P. TAYLOR is Cashier of the 
\/fJ// People's Bank and ex-Mayor of Brown- 
'^^ ing, Linn County, Mo. His birth occur- 
red in Benton Township, Linn County, in 1861, 
his father having emigrated from his native State, 
Tennessee, in 1836, and settled upon a farm in 
that locality. His mother was formerly Miss Caro- 
line Bingham, also of Tennessee, and their family 
comprised five sons, who are all engaged in agri- 
cultural pursuits in this county. They are: George, 
John, Charles, William and Albert. Our subject's 
paternal grandfather built the first house in Lin- 
neus, the county scat. 

Mr. Taylor assisted his father in canying on the 
homestead and attended the district schools. He 
afterward pursued a course of study in Columbus 
University, in Boone County, Mo. After gradu- 
ating from that institution he taught school for 



510 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



seven years, and after graduating from the law de- 
partment of the same school in 1885, he engaged in 
a general law practice in connection with the bank- 
ing business. His partner was Morgan Leonard, 
of Browning, until in October, 1892, when the 
latter was called from this life. Since the death 
of Mr. Leonard, Mr. Taylor has been in partner- 
ship witli his son, F. O. Leonard. They carry on a 
regular banking and exchange business, and the 
bank ranks among the substantial ones of the 
county. 

In 1886 Mr. Taylor wedded Blaud Leonard, of 
Browning, who was reared in this village and who 
is a daughter of Morgan Leonard, the former part- 
ner of our subject. The}' have three daughters, 
Ada, Fannie and Bertha. 

Mr. Taylor is an adherent of the Democrat party, 
and in the fall of 1888 was elected a representa- 
tive of his part}' to the State Legislature, in which 
position he remained for two years. He was also 
the Mayor of Browning for the same length of 
time, and is altogether considered one of the 
prominent and influential men of the count}'. He 
is a member of Bisswell Lodge No. 510, A. F. & 
A. M.; of Browning Lodge, I. 0. O. F., and also 
has membership with the Knights of Pythias. 



\i? EWIS BLAKSLEY. The porcine interests 
I (@ °^ *^^ Central States have grown to such 
jIL^ immense proportions as to .assume a na- 
tional financial interest, indeed one might add in- 
ternational interest, for the question whether Ger- 
many will or will not receive our export in this 
line has at various times been enough to raise a 
war cloud. Our subject, Mr. Blaksley, is a promi- 
nent factor in the local interests of the business at 
Carrollton. Perhaps he is more widely known, 
however, as Commander of the Grand Arm}' Post 
of this city. 

Mr. Blaksley was born in Butler County, Pa., 
August 17, 1844. His father, Andrew Blaksley, was 
born in the same locality, and his grandfather, 
Lewis, was a native of Washington County of the 
same State. He was a farmer in Butlor Countv 



and of Scotch descent. In 1859 he engaged in the 
oil business in Venango County, and in prospect- 
ing for the slippery fluid he, like many others, lost 
all he had, about $15,000. More fortunate than 
many others, however, he regained his lost fortune 
and is now one-fourth owner of twenty good wells 
in Butler County and also has several fine farms. 
He is a straight Republican. 

Our subject's mother, whose maiden name was 
Sarah Harris, a daughter of William Harris, a n.a- 
tive of Virginia, was born in Butler County. She 
was the mother of six children, four sons and two 
daughters. Of these the sons still survive, while 
one of the daughters is deceased. 

The original of this sketch was reared on his 
father's farm until about fifteen years of age. lie 
attended the common school, acquiring a good 
rudimentary education, and in 1859 went with his 
father into the oil business in Venango County, 
and was also operating for some little time in 
Franklin, the same county. In August, 1862, he 
enlisted in Company C,One Hundred and Thirty- 
fourth Pennsylvania Infantry. He was mustered 
in at Ilarrisburgh and sent to Washington with 
the Army of the Potomac. With these noted vet- 
erans he took part in the following battles: sec- 
ond battle of Bull Run, South Mountain, Antie- 
tam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and was in 
numerous skirmishes. He was mustered out of 
service in September, 1864, and went back into the 
oil business, this time operating for himself. He 
finally struck "a gusher," which he operated until 
1866. He was a member of the Work Oil Com- 
pany. 

In 1866 Mr. Blaksley sold out his oil interests 
and went to De Witt, Mo. He for a time engaged 
in the drug business there in partnership with Dr. 
Logan, of that place, remaining there for two 
years. He then went to Norborne, where he built 
a store and stocked it with a good supply of drugs, 
taking as partner Dr. C. W. Heidel. He continued 
at that only one year, and then came to Carroll- 
ton, where he went into the grocery business with 
Mr. Scott. For two years he carried on a whole- 
sale and retail trade and was very successful. 
In 1884, he went to Kansas and located in Hoxic, 
Slieridan County. He built a store thei-p, which he 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



511 



soon after sold, and later purchased a ranch at 
the nioutli of Sand Creek, on the Solomon Uiver. 
Tliis (ine place, located on section 4, he stocked 
and ran for two years. He then sold all but one 
and a-half sections,which he still owns and in which 
Mr. Scott is his partner. 

In 1886, our subject returned to CarroUton and 
speculated for a time in the grain business and 
real estate, still in partnership with Mr. C. A. 
Scott. He owns a farm of several hundred acres 
on the bottoms. ISIr. Blaksley engaged in the pack- 
ing business in 18i)0, having as partner Mr. .lohn 
Ilartaug. Tho}^ also run a market. 



L. HARGRAVE, the courteous, popular 
and enterprising proprietor of the Excelsior 
Hotel, Excelsior Springs, Clay County, Mo., 
who for man}' years enjoyed an extended reputa- 
tion as one of the most successful commercial 
travelers of the Southwest, is a native Missourian 
.and was born in Ray County, Maj' 14, 1844. Our 
subject is the son of Samuel L. and Sarah R. (Poe) 
Hargrave, old-time residents of Missouri, and 
widely known in R.ay County. Samuel Hargrave 
was a native of Lancashire, England, where his fa- 
ther invented the first cotton spindle. He em- 
barked with his parents for America at seven 
years of age, and during the voyage his father and 
mother died and were buried in the sea. Upon 
his arrival in the United States, the friendless 
little orphan was bound out to Burleigh Lee, 
a brother of the Governor of Virginia. The 
child was taken to the Lee homestead in North 
Carolina, and was there reared, educated and 
taught the trade of a tanner. Attaining to man- 
hood, he was successful in business and owned a 
tannery, which later he sold and came to Missouri. 
Father Hargrave followed various occupations 
in life and is now residing in Clinton County, and, 
a pioneer citizen, ninety-three years of age, is be- 
loved bj- the community of his home locality, 
many of whom h.ave known this venerable friend 
and neighbor from childhood. I lis beloved wife, 
who was a first cousin of Edgar Poe, the poet, 



died August 10, 1852. Mother Hargrave was a 
devoted Christian woman and had been reared a 
Quaker, but being far distant from any church of 
her creed she united with her husband in joining 
the Christian Union Cluirch, .and was warmly wel- 
comed within the fold. Nine children blessed the 
union and of the sons and daughters our subject 
was the j^oungest. The father re-married in 1860, 
selecting as his second wife Mrs. Matilda Kennedy, 
by whom he has two sons: Charles K., residing in 
Chicago; and Jefiferson, who lives upon the old 
homestead in Clinton County, Mo., and cares for 
his aged parents in their declining years. Our 
subject remained at home until nineteen years of 
age, when he left his father's store, where he was 
working, and entered into a partnership with Mr. 
Crowley in Vibbard, Ray Countj% managing agen- 
eral store, where he continued for two years. 

At the expiration of this time, he sold out and 
accepted a position as traveling salesman for 
Bailey, Kay & Co., a wholesale drj'-goods house, 
in whose service he achieved a wonderful success 
for many j'cars, remaining with the firm until 
they retired from business, seven years later. He 
next occupied a similar position with Tootle Hosej' 
& Co., of St. Joseph, Mo., for Qve years, later en- 
gaging with the El}- Walker Company in the same 
line of business, with their headquarters in St. 
Louis. The health of Mr. Hargrave now began to 
fail him and he severed his connection with the 
firm, but afterward recuper.ating, opened his hotel 
in Excelsior Springs, where assisted by his good 
wife he welcomes the general public to the hospi- 
talities of an excellent table, supplied with most 
palatable food. Here the weary traveler may be 
sure of a comfortable bed, and can secure for the 
day or week at reasonable rates good rooms and 
the best of board. The Excelsior Hotel is in every 
sense of the word a home, not only to tlie travel- 
ing public, but as well to the numerous invalids 
who come hither to try the noted virtues of the 
life-giving springs. The arrangements for the 
table, the cooking of the food and llie care of the 
sleeping apartments are all under the personal su- 
pervision of Mrs. Hargrave, who is well adapted 
to tiie requirements demanded of a landlady. 

Our subject and his energetic and most estimable 



512 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



wife were united in marriage upon April 21, 1876. 
Mrs. Ilargrave was born April 11, 1852, and was 
the daughter of Riley Ilolman, of Ray County, but 
Southei'n born. Grandfather Ilolman was the first 
Sheriff of Ray County, and later the father of Mrs. 
Ilargrave filled most acceptably the same office. 
Of a family of eleven children, eight are now liv- 
ing, and in their several localities universally 
respected. Four children were born unto Mr. and 
Mrs. Hargrave: Kay, the eldest child, was born 
on the 10th of August, 1878; Ola, the second son, 
December 4, 1880; and Edith was born February 
14, 1884; Mattie Pearl, the eldest daughter, died 
at the age of eight years. The three living chil- 
dren receive the benefit of a good common-school 
education and are also well trained to assist in the 
practical, every-day duties of life, and are growing 
up energetic and self-reliant. They are much be- 
loved by Grandfather and Grandmother Holman, 
who, aged eighty and sixt3'-three years, respec- 
tively, now reside in Richmond, Ray Count}', and 
.are both devout members of the Christian Church. 
Mr. Hargrave is a worth}' member of the Ma- 
sonic fraternity and for the protection of his fam- 
ily carries a good-sized life insurance, which he 
styles his "stock in trade, should other investments 
fail." Our subject is an upright citizen and a 
thoroughly practical business man of extended ex- 
perience, and in the various lines of occupation in 
which he has actively engaged, has won the esteem 
and confidence of man}' sincere friends. As a 
landlord, he is an assured success and has the best 
wishes of the many travelers and transient guests 
who have enjoyed the liospitality of his roof. 



_J 



♦^•i-^E* 



?RANK A. LEONARD, a rising young busi- 
ness man, is a partner with William P. 
Taylor in the People's Bank at Browning, 
Linn County. He was born in Linn County, Mo., 
in 1866, and passed his boyhood days on his fa- 
ther's farm. lie is a son of Morgan and Mary 
(Finson) Leonard, the former a native of West 
Vii'sinia, and the latter of Maine. Our subject 



was one of seven children, five sons and two daugh- 
ters, who arc as follows: George, Clay, Frank, 
Ralph, Charles; Maude, who is the wife of Will- 
iam P. Taylor, partner of our subject in the bank 
of Browning, and of whom see sketch on another 
page of tills volume; and Birdie, tlie youngest 
member of the family. 

Frank A. Leonard is modest and unassuming 
in manner and disposition, and though still quite 
young in years, has had considerable experience 
in business, and bids fair to carve out for himself 
both fame and fortune in the battle of life. He is 
a supporter of the Democratic party, and is much 
interested in the welfare and progress of thevicin- 
itv in which he makes his home. 



"vf^PIIRAIM SANDUSKY. The occupation 
fe which for a number of years past has 
\- — -- 9 occupied the time and attention of Mr. 
Sandusky is one for which he seems by nature es- 
pecially fitted, for it requires the soundest judg- 
ment and a thorough knowledge of horse-flesh 
in order to become proficient. He has become an 
exiiert trainer of fast horses, and many a horse 
which he has ridden on the race course has merely 
by his good riding succeeded in getting under the 
wire ahead of its competitors. His superior jockey- 
ship has made him widely known to the patrons of 
the turf, and his services are in demand by breed- 
ers of fast horses, consequently he has made money 
and has been sufficiently prudent and far-seeing to 
lay up a competency. He is a product of a State 
that has become world-famous for its racers, for in 
Jessamine County, Ky., he first saw the light, .Tuly 
6, 1841. His parents, George and Eliza Sandusky, 
were also born in the Blue Grass Region, the death 
of the father occurring when the subject of this 
sketch was about ten years of age. 

Ephraim Sandusky remained on his native 
heath until he was about fourteen years of age, 
when he came to Clay County, Mo., and after ac- 
quiring a good common-school education, he com- 
pleted his studies in William .Jewell College, 
takiu"' the scientific course. After his college 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



513 



days were over he realized that he must depend 
upon his own exertions for a livelihood, and to 
this end he opened a grocery store in Liberty, Mo., 
which was the first establishment of the kind 
in the place. After conducting it very success- 
fully for three years he sold out to Maj. Gilles- 
pie, after which he acted as clerk in the Recorder's 
office under liis brother, and at a later period, wlien 
the latter was elected Circuit Clerk, Ephraim 
acted as his deputy', in wliich capacity he very 
efficiently officiated for two and a-half years. 
Upon leaving this j)osition he became a clerk in 
the grocery store of Martin Wyman, with whom 
he remained as a trusted and capable employe for 
six years. From his earliest boyhood he had been 
a lover and admirer of horses, and he now deter- 
mined to indulge this fancy and began dealing in 
blooded stock, becoming the owner of some of the 
fastest running horses ever introduced into tlie 
.State of Missouri. After a time he came to the 
decision that he could make more money as a 
grocer, and soon after again opened an establish- 
ment of that kind in Liberty, but the close con- 
finement within doors was detrimental to ' his 
health and he was compelled to give up that line 
of work. His thoughts were then very naturally 
turned to his former occupation and he entered 
the employ of David Waldo, whose horses he 
trained for the race course for three years. Dur- 
ing tills time he trained some exceptionally speedy- 
animals, witii which he traveled throughout the 
country, winning some of the most noteworthy 
races of the day and some heavy purses. 

After Mr. Sandusky had left the employ of Mr. 
Waldo he began working in the same cai)acity for 
a Mr. Ross, and to his credit be it said that during 
the two years that he remained with this gentle- 
man he won every race he entered and large sums 
of money for his employer. Upon dissolving re- 
lations with Mr. Ross he entered the service of Mr. 
Blair, of Sedalia, Mo., who owns a large stock farm 
and is especially engaged in the breeding of 
thoroughbred race horses, ten of wiiich Mr. San- 
dusky expects to handle during the coining season. 
In following his present occupation Mr. San- 
dusky has shown tliat he believes that "what is 
worth doing at all is worth doing well," for he 



is thoroughly competent and reliable, and this 
fact has become well known among reliable horse- 
men, with whom his services are in just demand. 

Our subject was married to Miss Mary Morton, 
a daughter of Dr. William A. and Julia Morton, of 
Liberty, Mo., and liis union with tiiis intelligent 
and amiable lady has resulted in the birth of five 
children: Leila, born in 1867, is the wife of Ed H. 
Thomas, of Kansas City, formerly of St. Louis; 
Kate, born in 1871, is the wife of Campbell Stean, 
of St. Louis, and is the mother of a son, William 
B.; Anna E., born in 1875, is at home, as is also 
Morton, who was born in 1877; and Harry M., born 
in 1869, died in infancy. Mr. Sandusk}' educated 
his daughters at Hawthorn Seminary, of Liberty, 
Mo., and his son is now attending the public schools 
of that place. The coming season he will com- 
mence a full course in William Jewell College. 



(^^^ M. JOHNSON, the pros|)erous and enter- 
^^^ prising proprietor of the well-known and 
ll/y)) extensive manufactory, the Johnson Handle 
Works, is one of tiie leading business men of 
Laclede, Linn County, Mo., and since 1876, when he 
built his present factory, has found a ready market 
for a large variety of handles manufactured from 
the excellent hard woods easily obtainable in this 
locality. Our subject is a native of Albany County, 
N. Y., and was born December 11, 1835. His fa- 
ther, William Johnson, was also a native of Albany 
County and was born in Bethlehem. He died in 
Tioga County m 1869, after a long life of busy 
usefulness. For over two-score years he liad been 
one of the most able and untiring of the early 
pionecr preachers of the Empire State, devoting 
nearly his entire life to the service of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church. In his pastoral career he 
traveled almost entirely over the State of New 
York on horseback and was one of the most pow- 
erful in discourse and eloquent in delivery of the 
various riders of the circuit. 

During the War of 1812, Father Johnson bravely 
served his country, and for his gallant conduct 
upon the field vvas iiighly commended and received 



514 



i'ORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



a grant of one hundred and sixty acres of land in 
Illinois. He was but sixty-six years of age at the 
time of his death, which w.as mourned bj' the gen- 
eral public as an irreparable loss to the cause which 
engrossed the best efforts of his later years. His 
wife, the mother of our subject, was in youth Miss 
Sallie Osborn, of Albany County, N. Y., and a lady 
of superior character and many accomplishments. 
Mr. Johnson was reared in the Empire State. partly 
in Albany and partly in Tioga Counties, and en- 
joyed the educational advantages of the public 
schools of his liome district. Trained in habits 
of industry and self-reliance, he reached mature 
years, and in 1860 was married to Miss Sarah, a 
daughter of Jonas Simmons, a brother of Daniel 
Simmons, the great ax manufacturer in Cohoes, 
Albany County. The two brothers worked to- 
gether and were the first manufacturers of axes by 
machinery in this county. Immediately following 
his marriage Mr. Johnson engaged in the practice 
of dentistry, but early in the spring of 1861 began 
the manufacture of axes and edge tools. 

Most of the succeeding eleven 3'ears, however, 
our subject passed as a salesman upon the road, 
and in 1871 came to Missouri. Locating in Linn 
County, he first engaged in farming and was 
then appointed agent for the Turner estate of six 
hundred and fort}- acres. For four years, he was 
connected with the settling of the property, at the 
expiration of this time removing to Laclode, where 
he still resides. After making his home in Laclede 
Mr. Johnson traveled for a time for an establish- 
ment in Indianapolis manufacturing edge tools. 
Having in 1876 successful!}' entered into business 
in Laclede and there continuing, he has devoted 
himself the past seventeen years to the manufac- 
ture of handles, and has from season to season ex- 
tended the limits of his trade, his goods now en- 
joying a wide and enviable reputation as to ma- 
terial and workmanship. The pleasant home of 
our subject and his estimable wife has been blessed 
with the presence of eight children, the eldest of 
whom are of adult age. George M. is now in 
business with his father; Ina M. is th.e wife of M. 
E. Shore, who resides in California, where he is 
superintendent of a large ranch; Lizzie F. is the 
wife of Frank II. Richardson, an engineer of Mo- 



berly, Mo., and also a fruit-grower adjacent to the 
latter city; Sadie FaIihi married Ross Dalbey, of 
Hastings, Neb., where he is eng.aged in the boot 
and shoe business; Daniel Boone Johnson resides 
with his parents; Lottie Gertrude, Edith Maude 
and Charles Waldron are all yet at home with the 
father and mother. 

Mr. Johnson is a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church and with his family, who are 
all attendants of the same church, is ever ready 
to aid in the good works and promote the so- 
cial and benevolent enterprises of that religious 
organization. Politicallj', our subject isa stalwart 
Republican, and while never a politician takes an 
earnest and altiding interest in local and national 
affairs. Financially', Mr. Johnson is winning the 
sure reward of persistent and industrious effort. 
In his business, he gives employment to about 
eighteen hands and sells almost altogether to job- 
bers. A practical business man, of sterling integ- 
rit3' of character, progressive in his ideas and lib- 
eral in sentiment, our subject is numbered among 
the substantial citizens who are prominent factors 
in the uplniilding of their home localities and wor- 
thily command the esteem and confidence of the 
general public. 



EDWARD 15. WELCH, a prosperous general 
farmer, successful stock-raiser and energetic 
' merchant, efficiently and profitably running 
a first-class general store in the town of Pedee, is 
a native of Chariton County, Mo., and was born 
April 8, 1838. Located upon section 25, town- 
ship 55, range 18, he conducts one of the best pay- 
ing farms in this section of the country-. The 
land is all under a high state of improvement, .ind 
with its abundant harvests well repays the time and 
labor expended in its culture. Receiving a rudi- 
mentary education in the common schools of his 
native county, our subject attained manhood and 
began life for himself by purchasing eighty acres 
of land. 

Soon after reaching liis majority Mr. Welch was 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



515 



married to Miss Julia A. Mott, who was born in 
Howard County, April 4, 1842. Four children 
blessed the pleasant home of our subject, Canielia 
H., Mrs. .1. A. Jaco, being the eldest; she lives 
in Muscle Fork Township. Alonzo L. is married 
to Miss Milton Tracy. He has just been elected 
for a term of two years to the responsible position 
of Treasurer of Chariton County, taking possession 
of his office the 1st of April, 1893. Edna, de- 
ceased, was the wife of I. II. IMcKittrick; she 
made her home in Chariton County, where she 
l)asscd away in 1891. Luther E. was shot by acci- 
dent while handling a revolver and changing the 
weapon from one pocket to another. This sad 
event occurred in November, 1892, and created 
general sorrow and deep sympathy for his be- 
reaved friends and relatives. 

The parents of Mrs. AVelch were Kentuckians, 
but, coming to Missouri in a very early day, were 
numbered among the pioneer settlers of the State. 
.Stokley and Elizabeth Mott made their home in 
Howard County, and there reared their family of 
ten children, and, widely known, were universally 
respected and esteemed. Our subject has accumu- 
lated five hundred and eighty acres of excellent 
land in Chariton County, and, achieving success as 
a general merchant, is extending his sales and 
materially increasing the alread}' v.-ell-paying line 
of business. He has also occupied the office of 
Town Collector with faithful ability for four years, 
and is probably one of the busiest men in this 
section of the county. Mr. Welch leans toward 
the Baptist persuasion, and assists in the social 
and benevolent enterprises of his home locality, 
lie is a member of the Ancient Free & Accepted 
M.asons, and h.as long been connected with that 
ancient and honorable order. During the Civil 
War he served two years in the Confederate army, 
and engaged bravely in the battle of Lexington, 
and, most of the time under the command of Gen. 
Price, .actively participated in numerous skirmishes 
and fights, and was daily exposed to great priva- 
tions and dangers. A native of Chariton County, 
spending his entire life amid the familiar scenes 
of boyhood, Mr. Welch has ever been closely asso- 
ciated with the growtli and adv.ancement of this 
part of tlie State, and, taking a deep interest in 



local improvement, has been a leading factor in 
the development of the best interests of the count3\ 
Widely known among an extended circle of friends 
and acquaintances scattered throughout the State 
of Missouri, our subject commands the confidence 
and sincere regard of a host of fellow-citizens, 
who thoroughly appreciate his business ability 
and undoubted integrity of character. 

1^, AVID J. ROWLAND, the popular and en- 
terprising landlord of the Union Hotel 
at Brunswick, Chariton County, Mo., is a 
genial and courteous host and furnishes 
to the traveling public and his transient guests 
most pleasant and comfortiible accommodations- 
Many regular boarders are also enjo3fing the hos- 
pitality of his well-known house. Mr. Rowland 
was born in Newark, Licking County-, Ohio, Julj- 
2, 1828, and was the youngest of three sons in a 
family of nine children. 

Our subject's fatlier and mother, llenrj- and 
Hester (Jameson) Rowland, were united in mar- 
riage in the Buckeye State but were lx)th of old 
Pennsylvania families and born near Pittsburgh. 
Previous to their marriage, however, they had re- 
moved with their parents to Ohio and located 
upon adjacent farms. Old acquaintances of many 
years and pioneer neighbors the friendship of tbeir 
parents endured for life and became even stronger 
when the son of one family and the daughter of 
the other were husband and wife. The paternal 
and maternal grandparents of our subject were 
born in Ireland but emigrated in a very early day 
to America, making their homes for many j-e.ars in 
the Quaker State, where with thrift and energetic 
industry they devoted themselves to the pursuit 
of agriculture. Winning the esteem and cordial 
good-will of all with whom the^' came in contact, 
the}' steadily made their way upward, enjoying in 
time a prosperous return for their labor, and in 
their declining 3'ears possessing a most comfortable 
competence. 

Our subject had few educational advantages, his 
time for study l)eing confined to the winter 



516 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



months, when he was obliged to walk four miles 
each way to school, beside doing a number of 
chores in early morning and evening. The jour- 
neys to and from the schoolhouse were terribly 
fatiguing, especially in cold and stormy weather, 
but the perseverance and desire for knowledge 
which animated the farmer lad stimulated him to 
make heroic efforts to gain the coveted book learn- 
ing then nowhere else attainable. During boy- 
hood when Mr. Rowland was not in school there 
was always, even in the winter, upon the Saturday 
half-holiday some work to be done, fuel to cut or 
land to be cleared of heavy underbrush or timber. 
And thus the time passed on and our subject 
grew up to man's estate, and still working away 
upon the old Ohio liomestead had the satisfaction 
of seeing the land yield to persistent culture and 
the fields blossom each year with an abundant 
harvest. It was not until Mr. Rowland was twenty- 
eight years of age that he left his parents' home. 
At this period in his career he married Miss 
Lavina E. James, born in Ross County, Ohio, De- 
cember 1.5, 1836. Mrs. Rowland's parents had a 
round dozen of sons and daughters, all of whom 
with one exception were strong Baptists and were 
baptized in the Tippecanoe River, a stream run- 
ning through that part of the State. 

Mrs. Rowland's father was born in Maryland, 
her mother in Delaware, and the children claimed 
respectively as the States of their nativity Jndiana, 
Delaware and Ohio. Two of the family were born 
in Indiana, three in Delaware and seven in Ohio. 
Six of the brothers served with brave fidelity in 
the Union army, each remaining in active duty 
the full time for whicii they enlisted and never 
receiving any serious wounds. Our subject also 
enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Twenty- 
ninth Indiana Infantry, on the 11th of Feb- 
ruary, 1864, and remained in the service until 
the end of the war, when he was mustered out at 
Indianapolis September 27, 1865, having given 
over nineteen months to faithful perfoi-mance of 
active duties at the front, sharing perils and pri- 
vations but escaping capture or death. Mr. Row- 
land is now a valued member of the David Hardin 
Post, G. A. R., of Wayne County, Iowa. Our sub- 
ject and his wife have made their home at various 



times since their marriage in the States of Indiana, 
Iowa, Kansas and Missouri, and now residing in 
Chariton County, have here enjoyed tlie confi- 
dence and esteem of a large circle of friends. The 
seven children whose presence has blessed their 
home are with one exception yet living. 

The eldest of the family, Rudolphus T., was born 
May 24, 1856; Lrsula, November 18, 1858; Mary 
v., August 24, 1861; William Henry, June 24, 
1863; Florence, March 10,1866; MilHe J., Feb- 
ruary 14, 1871; and Murry, December 20, 1875. 
•^ These sons and daughters liave all enjoyed the 
benefit of instruction, the best that their opportu- 
nities afforded, and are occupying positions in life 
commanding regard and high respect. Well known 
in church and social circles, they are prominently 
identified with tiie benevolent enterprises of their 
home and are numbered among the ready aids in all 
good work. A man of business ability, energy and 
intelligence, Mr. Rowland interests himself in local 
progress and reform and is an advocate of edu- 
cational advancement as the lever to elevate the 
masses and thus secure a nobler, higher citizenship 
for the nation which he has ever served with 
true, loyal and unswerving ]5atriotism. 



/^EORGE M. LEONARD, who owns one of 
III ^—^ the finest farms of Linn County, and who 

j^^ is prominent in his neighborhood, resides 
on section 21, township 60, range 19. He was 
born in Linn County, Iowa, in 1859, and is a son 
of Morgan Leonard, a native of West Virgin ia,who 
was reared to manhood in I ndianapolis, Ind. The 
latter married Miss Mary Finson, who was born in 
Maine, and of their union were born the following 
children: Clay, George, Frank, Ralph, Charles; 
Maud, wife of William P. Tajior, of the People's 
Bank at Browning; and Birdie. 

Our subject was reared on a farm and thus from 
boyhood had a practical experience, which has been 
of great benefit to him in his later life. He re- 
ceived a common-school education and remained 
on the homestead with his parents until reaching 
his m.ajority. The year 1866 witnessed his arrival 







^J^^ 



e4^^. 



^ . (Jl 



^ry/L. 



'0 ayi.i^-^- 



z 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



519 



in Missouri. He purchased land and started to 
carve out his fortune in the pursuit of agriculture. 
He raises and deals considerably in stock and has 
been very successful both in tliat line and as, a 
farmer. He recently made numerous improve- 
ments upon his place. He has added to his origi- 
nal purchase adjoining land year by year as his 
resources permitted, until his property now com- 
prises four hundred and eighty acres, which are 
under good cultivation. 

In 1885, Mr. Leonard married Miss Mary E. 
Jordon, who was called to the better land soon 
after coming to Missoiu'i. Their union was blessed 
with a son and daugiiter, Rowe and Nora. Mr. 
Leonard is a Democrat politically, and has served 
as Township Collector, filling the office very satis- 
factorily. He is a man of veracity and strict in- 
tegrity, his word being considered as good as his 
bond. 



E^^ 



^Il_ ON. ELIJAH D. HARVEY, who was a Rep- 
llTji resentative of Linn County in the State 
/^^ Legislature in 1880, and who for over forty 
(^) years has been Justice of the Peace, is one 
of the prominent and influential citizens of Linn 
County, his residence being at Meadville. He 
is numbered among the honored early settlers, 
liaving made his home in this locality since 1847. 
The father of our subject, John Harvey, was 
born in Madison County, Ky., September 1, 1794. 
He was a son of AVilliam, a native of Virginia, who 
removed to Kentucky at an early day, and there 
participated in the Indian Wars. He was a promi- 
nent man, a progressive farmer and a leading 
member of the Baptist Church. The family is de- 
scended from Sir John Harvey, the first Gover- 
nor of Virginia. The mother of our subject, be- 
fore her marriage, was Elizabeth Walkup, who was 
born in Kentucky in the year 1800. Her father 
John Walkup, was of Irish descent, his ancestors 
having settled in Nortli Carolina. 

After his marriage John Harvey went from his 
native State to Missouri, and arrived in what is 
now Howard County in 1817. Tiiis was in the 

26 



Territorial days, when Indians and wild animals 
were abundant in that region. The farm upon 
which he settled was a wilderness, and to its culti- 
vation and improvement he devoted many j'ears. 
He w.as a prominent citizen of that county, and 
held many positions of responsibility and honor, 
having been a Representative in the Legislature in 
1833, a Justice of the Peace for many years. Col- 
lector of Howard County, and a leading politician 
of that district. He was a newspaper correspon- 
dent for a number of 3"ears and during the Civil 
War was a supporter of the Union cause. Politi- 
cally'^ he was an old line-Whig. 

By his union with the mother of our subject 
John Harvey became the father of twelve children, 
of whom four only are now living: James E., who 
is engaged in farming in Howard County; Dr. Will- 
iam C, a practicing physician in Roanoke, Mo.; 
our subject; and Benjamin F., who is a farmer and 
one of the Directors of the bank at Moberly, Mo. 
Two sons were in tiie Civil War, one in the Fed- 
eral service and one in the Confederate army. The 
mother of these children was called to her final 
rest in 1843. Some years later, Mr. Harvey again 
married, and of that union were born four children, 
who are all now living. His death occurred in 
1862. 

Our subject was born August 22, 1827. in How- 
ard County, Mo., and was reared on his father's 
farm. He received a district-school education, 
and on reaching the age of twentj' 3' ears started 
forth to make his own way in the world. In 1847 
he landed in Linn County, and commenced teach- 
ing school in the house of Judge Botts. This 
was a subscription school, the first in the locality'. 
He continued teaching until 18(!3, and has the 
honor of having taught tiie first school in Mead- 
ville, in the building of which he assisted and 
which he later donated to the district. In 1849, 
Mr. Harvey settled on a farm adjoining the vil- 
lage, and has brought it under good cultivation. 
From the year 18(>3 he was exclusively a farmer 
until 1887, when he retired, tiiough lie still owns 
his original farm. 

In 1849 Mr. Harvey' returned on a visit to How- 
ard County', where his marriage with Miss Elvira 
Thomson was celebrated. She was born May 16, 



520 



POETRAIT AND BIOGEAPfflCAL RECORD. 



1828, and was the daughter of George Q. Thomas, 
a native of Kentucky, and one of the early settlers 
and farmers in Howard County, where he died. 
To them were born five children, the following of 
whom are living: Grace L., widow of .James Cas- 
per, who has one child, Florence B; and Eustatia 
U., wife of J. F. McArthur, who has two children. 
Mrs. Harvey was called to the better land Ma}- 7, 
1886. 

Mr. Harvey is the owner of four hundred and 
forty acres of farm land, all of which is improved. 
In addition to general farming, he was for many 
years engaged in business as a stock-raiser. He 
has idways been .active in political circles, having 
been a member of the Democracy since 1860, when 
he cast his ballot for Stephen A. Douglas. In 1880 
he was elected Representative of Linn County to 
the Stale Legislature. In 1850 he was elected .Jus- 
tice of the Peace, which otfice he held until 1891. 
While in the House of Representatives, he was on 
the Committees of Internal Improvements, Edu- 
cation and .Tudicial Districts. He has been twice 
elected Public Administrator, which position he 
still occupies. He has been a member of the City 
Council, and President of the Township Board for 
many years, resigning the latter office two years 
a<'0. In 1890 he was City Attorney of Meadville. 
and has acted as Counselor for the peojjle for the 
past forty years, during which time lie has had 
very few decisions reversed by the Circuit Court. 

.Tune 12, 1889, Mr. Harvey was united in mar- 
riage with Mrs. Mary Garrett, nee Dinwiddie. Her 
parents were Samuel and Patty (McBride) Dinwid- 
die, both natives of Kentucky. Her paternal grand- 
father, William Dinwiddie, was a native of Vir- 
o-inia, and a descendant of the famous general .and 
frovernor of that name. Mrs. Harvey's parents 
removed to Missouri in 1840 and made a settle- 
ment in Boone County, where tiiey resided until 
their death. The father died in 1866, and tiie 
mother in 1874. The former, who was born in 
1798, was in sympathy with the Secessionists dur- 
ing the Civil War. Of his family of nine cliildren, 
but three now survive. Mrs. Harvey was born 
August 4, 1837, in Lincoln County, Kj'., wliere 
she received a good education. Her first marriage 
was with W. H. Garrett. 



In company with two friends, Mr. Harvey built 
the first church in Meadville. Both himself and 
wife are members of the Christian Church, in 
which he has served as an Elder. He was the first 
Chief Templar in the village, and is now Chap- 
lain, his wife having also held oJHces in the lodge 
Jlr. Harvey is a charter member of Dockery 
Lodge No. 325, A. F. & A. M, in which he has been 
M.aster, and is now Treasurer. He is a charter mem- 
ber of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, hav- 
ing held the position of Past Master and now being 
a Guide. He represented his lodge in 1877 and in 
1878 in the Grand Lodge, and altogether has been 
much interested in civic societies. 



^^ 



S;, HARLES E. ISLE, a leading business man, 
man.aging .an excellent livery, and a suc- 
cessful dealer of wool and coal in Bruns- 
wick, Mo., is one of the most able, energetic and 
upright citizens of Chariton Count}'. Mr. Isle is 
widely known throughout this portion of the 
State, having been a native of Chariton County 
and a constant resident of Missouri for nearly 
three-score years. Few residents of Missouri have 
a more correct and extensive store of reminiscence 
of early days in the broad Southwest than our 
subject, whose genial manner and happy method 
of expression make him a most ple.asant conversa- 
tionalist. He was born July 12, 1834, and a farm- 
er's son, was reared upon a farm, and thoroughly 
tnained into the regular routine of agricultural 
life. 

During the winter months he enjoyed the privi- 
lege of instruction in the little log schoolhouse of 
those primitive days, and, in common witli many 
other students, the more highly appreciated an 
education that it was so difficult to obtain. Time 
passed on, and the acres which his father had from 
wild land brought up to a high state of cultiva- 
tion annually yielded an abundant harvest and 
were constantly increasing in value. The coun- 
try, which in the youthful remembrance of Mr. 
Isle was but sparsel}' settled, began to receive 
larger immigration; here and there clearings were 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



521 



made and humble homes erected, until the land of 
Chariton County, under the manipulations of the 
tillers of the soil, began to blossom like tlie rose. 
Then came the Civil War, which no where was 
nu)re disastrous to the farming community than in 
Missouri, wliicii was constantly the scene of men- 
acing opponents and was raided l)y bushwliackers, 
who found tlioir op|)ortunity for profitable plun- 
der. 

Our subject received property from his father's 
estate, but by his own efforts has acquired a com- 
fortable competence. For many 3'ears he was 
numbered among the leading agriculturists of 
Ciiariton County, and was also a successful stock- 
raiser, being highly' esteemed by his neighbors as 
authority upon various matters connected with the 
sowing and reaping of the annual crop. Mr. Isle 
was married September 12, 1854, to Miss Catherine 
Mauzey. a most excellent lady, well known and 
highly respected for her worth of character. The 
pleasant home of Mr. and Mrs. Isle was blessed 
with the presence of four childi-en, who brought 
joy and sunshine into the hearts of their parents: 
Mary E. was the eldest-born of the family' ; Robert 
W. was the first-born son; and then followed Jo- 
sepii E. and Mauzey W. During the Civil War 
our subject had some experience of military life, 
then accepting the Captaincy of a company in the 
Missouri State militia, discliarged the duties of 
his position with fidelity. 

In his present business Mr. Isle has as a partner 
Mr. Perry Simpson, his son-in-law, and a gentle- 
man of energy and business abilit}', who divides 
with him the cares and responsibilities of daily- 
labor, and is an invaluable assistant and manager 
of his special department. Although oiu- subject 
has almost reached three-score years, he retains the 
strength and activity of earl}^ maniiood,and in the 
full vigor of his mental powers, is as ever deeply 
interested in local and national issues. Intimately 
associated with the upward growth and steadj- 
progress of Chariton County, Mr. Isle remains a 
prominent factor in the promotion of social and 
business enterprise, and, a native-born citizen and 
a son of one of the oldest and most highly hon- 
ored of the pioneer settlers of tiie State, commands 
the confidence and regard of the community, and 



together with the various members of his family, 
occupies a position of influence and usefulness. A 
true friend and kind neiglibor, upright in charac- 
ter and earnest in purpose, our subject h.-vs a host 
of well-wishers and old-time ac<iuaintances. 



ylLIJAM II. BRADLEY, attorney-at-law 
and Notary Public in Salisbury, Chariton 
County, and one of the bravest soldiers of 
the Union army in the late Civil War, was born in 
Fincastle, Brown County, Ohio, March 23, 1840. 
His father, Capt. John Bradley, a well-known resi- 
dent of Ohio, was a native of Montgomery County. 
The grandfather, Thomas Bradle}', was a native of 
the Keystone State and was of Irish descent. He 
removed to Ohio, and located in Montgomery 
County, near the cit3' of Dayton. Later he settled 
in Bi'own County, and died near Fincastle. His 
son John became a farmer and carpenter and is 
still living, being now in the eighty-fourth year of 
his age. At one time he was the Captain of a 
company of State militia. In his politics, he is a 
sound Republican. His religious membersiiip is 
with the Methodist Episcopal Ciiurch. He was 
one of the pioneers of Ohio, having been born 
there in 1809, and passing his j-outli amid primi- 
itive scenes. 

The motlier of our subject was named in her 
maiden days Charlotte Marquis, and was born in 
Ohio. Her father, Jacob Marquis, was a native of 
Pennsylvania, of German descent, who moved into 
Brown Counter, and later settled in Adams County, 
Ohio, where he carried on farming pursuits. Tiie 
beloved mother still lives at iier liome, bearing her 
weight of seventy-nine years with e.ise. .Siie is the 
mother of twelve children, five of whom are j-et 
living. A brotiier of our subject, John T., was a 
member of the Seventieth Ohio Regiment during 
the late war and passed through the struggle with- 
out injury, participating in many hard-fought bat- 
tles. He now lives at Parsons, Kan. 

AVilliam was the second child in the faiiiil\ and 
was reared on the farm. In his boyhood he at- 
tended the commoii schools of tlie neighborhood, 



522 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and for a time studied in a select school of the vi- 
cinity. At the age of sixteen years he was appren- 
ticed to tlie trade of a saddler for two years in 
Fincastle. He worked at his trade until the break- 
ing out of the war, and then joined tiie thousands 
of other brave young patriots who answered the 
call for defenders of tlie Flag. October 18, 1861 
he and his brother Joiin T. enlisted in Company' 
A, .Seventieth Ohio Infantry and joined the reg- 
imental band. He was mustered in at Camp Den- 
nison, Ohio, and took part in the battles of Shi- 
loh, Corinth, Holly Springs, luka, and the second 
light at Corintb, with the attending skirmishes. 
At Memphis, Tenn., they went into winter quar- 
ters. While there, Mr. Bradley was taken sick and 
was discharged in order that he might recuperate 
at home. On regaining his health he re-enlisted, 
February 22, 1864, as a private in tlie same com- 
pany and joined Gen. Sherman at Scottsborough, 
Ala. 

After tills the soldiers saw no child's play, it was 
all grim war. Tlie battles which followed in quick 
succession, and in which our subject bore his part, 
were Resaca, Dallas, Buzzard's Roost, New Hope 
Church, Snake Creek Gap, Kenesaw Jlountain and 
tlie siege of Atlanta. At that time, the brave and 
beloved Gen. McPherson was killed and our sub- 
ject was dangerously wounded. A miiiie-ball went 
through his left lung, passing entirely through his 
body, and he fell on the field of carnage. In this 
dreadful and helpless condition he lay until niglit, 
when his comrades found him and tenderly carried 
him to the field hospital, where the opinion of the 
surgeons was that he would not recover; and 
surely, when this record declares that for three 
days and nights our subject was left without care 
until his -wounds were infested with maggots, the 
reader can but wonder with the biographer that 
his career did not end in that place of agonizing- 
suffering. However, William 11. Bradley then 
possessed the will and determination which have 
since placed him in the front rank in civic life, 
and he resolved not to weakly give up his young 
life there. 

The attention of the brave Maj. Brown of his 
regiment was called to our subject. His wound 
was properly dressed and he immediately began 



to gain strength. Later he was sent to the hospital 
at Marietta, Ga., where under the care of skillful 
and humane physicians, he soon became well enough 
to return home on furlough. In the spring of 
1865 he rejoined his regiment at Pocotaligo Sta- 
tion, S. C, about the time of the surrender, and 
was enabled to take his merited part in the Grand 
Review and parade at Washington. He was mus- 
tered out of the service June 22, 1865, at Louis- 
ville, K}-. Although he was always uncompromis- 
ing in his defense of the Union, he never had an 
unkind vvord to utter against the brave Confed- 
erate soldiers but instead declares that his most ar- 
dent and faithful friends since he has resided in 
Missouri have been the Confederate soldiers, who 
have often assisted him in times of need and fa- 
vored him with many acts of kindness. 

After his return home at the close of the war, 
our subject entered the excellent school at Fin- 
castle, Ohio, where he carried on his studies until 
1866. He then came to Missouri by boat and en- 
gaged in teaching in Bowling Green, Chariton 
County, and one term in Saline County, near Mi- 
ami. In 1868 he returned to Ohio and attended 
tbe Southwestern Normal, at Lebanon, Ohio, under 
Prof. Holbrooke for one j'ear, at the end of which 
time he returned to Missouri. 

Chariton County seemed to be attractive to our 
subject, and upon his leturn to the State he located 
here and taught school. Later he entered the law 
office of Crawle}' & Ilolcomb, at Keytesville, and 
became acquainted with the intricacies of the law. 
About this time he served as Deputy County Clerk 
under E. A. Ilolcomb for about one year. In 1870 he 
was admitted to the Bar and began the practice of 
his profession in Cliariton County, at Bynumville. 
In 1880 he located in Salisbury and has continued 
in successful practice here ever since. At the 
time he located here the city was a place of seven 
hundred inhabitants and now has a population of 
over two thousand. For two 'erms, he has been 
City Attornej'. He has a comfortable residence 
here, besides owning other real estate, and has 
done business for others in real estate as an agent. 
The marriage of Mr. Bradlej' in 1870, in Kirks- 
ville. Mo., united him with Miss Annie J. Stice, 
who was born in Chariton County and is a daugli- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHTCAL RECORD. 



523 



ter of Thomas Slice, formerly a farmer, now de- 
ceased. Three children have been born of this 
marriage: Annetla Lenora, Charles Luther and 
Lizzie Bliss. At the time of tlieir union, our sub- 
ject and his wife had but little of this world's 
goods, but by industry and strict attention to busi- 
ness they have built a beautiful and attractive res- 
idence, besides accumulating other property, and, 
in addition, have always contributed liberally to 
charitable institutions and benevolent enterprises. 
Much of his prosperity our subject owes, as be says, 
to his industrious wife, who has assisted him in 
every enterprise by economy in household duties 
and devotion to home. 

Mr. Bradley is a member of Lodge No. 236, 
L O. O. F., and fills a prominent position at pres- 
ent. He is identified with Pinhart Post, G. A. R., 
at Brunswick, and is a charter member of the 
Ancient Order of United Workmen, of Salisbury'. 
In liis politics, he has taken a prominent position 
in the Democratic ranks, and has been a delegate 
to State and congressional conventions. The re- 
ligious connections of the family are with the Meth- 
odistEpiscopal Church, and the family is much re- 
spected in the neighborhood. Mr. Bradley is in 
the prime of life and is a man who has won the 
esteem of the community. 



li? EWIS G. HOPKINS, an able .and successful 
I (^ attorn e3--at-law. Notary Public and insur- 
jIL^ -iijge agent of Missouri City, Mo., has for 
many years been numbered among the leading res- 
idents of Clay Count}', and, held in high esteem and 
confidence, has received from his fellow-citizens 
important positions of public trust. In 1878 he 
was elected to the office of Justice of the Peace, 
and for twelve years efficiently and impartiallj- 
administered the law, his decisions being sustained 
by the upper courts. For a period of eight years 
he served as City Marshal to the universal satis- 
faction of the general public, who thoroughly ap- 
preciated the unvarying fidelity which he untir- 
ingly gave to his dail}' cares and responsibilities. 
Although n long lime associated with the pro- 



gressive interests of Missouri, our subject is not a 
native of the State, but w.as born in Person County, 
N.- C, March 13, 1837. The parents, Alex and 
Susan (Cothran) Hopkins, were natives of North 
Carolina, but were of Scotch-Irish descent. The 
father, a successful trader and merchant, died De- 
cember 21, 1856, but the mother survived until 
September, 1887. 

Of the nine children who blessed the union of 
Alex and Susan Hopkins, two died in infancy. 
Seven survived to mature years and went out into 
homes of their own. Martha J., Mrs. Bradshaw, 
died at Durham, N. C, in 1890; Arcadmus died 
at Liberty, Tex., in 1859, aged about twenty-four 
years; William H. resides in Durham, N. C; Mary 
S. is Mrs. J. C. Lyon, of Durham, N. C; Cornelius 
is a prominent citizen of Durham Countj', N. C; 
Melissa has never married and makes her home 
in North Carolina. Our subject attended the 
public schools of Roxborough, N. C until sixteen 
years of age, and was then reading the Fifth Book 
of Virgil, but although having previously antici- 
pated a college course, he was then obliged to aban- 
don his books and give his entire attention to the 
aflfairs of his father, whose health was vitally im- 
paired. The management of large and lucrative 
business interests now devolved upon Lewis G., 
who even at this early age evinced a judgment 
and executive ability wiiich won for him the con- 
fidence of the surrounding community of his home 
locality. The death of his father shortlj' after 
placed him at the head of the family and with 
hope, courage and ambitious enterprise he assumed 
the burden of responsibilit}', fully equal to the re- 
quirements of the hour. 

At the breaking out of the Civil War Mr. Hop- 
kins enlisted in Company E, Twenty-fourth North 
Carolina Regiment, and served until the surrender 
of Lee at Appomattox Court House, April 9, 1865. 
Serving as First Lieutenant, and an active partici- 
pant in all the engagements of the corps, our sub- 
ject never missed a single da}' of duty, and, con- 
stantly at the front, was never wounded upon the 
field of war, but received, through an accident at 
Garysburgh, N. C, a ball, which he carries in his 
arm to this da}'. In 1879, our subject began the 
study of law and in 1888 was admitted to the Bar, 



524 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



practicing- in the higher courts and licensed to 
practice in the Supreme Court of the United 
States. On the 15th of October, 1863, Lewis 
G. Hopkins and Miss Virginia P. Webb, of Rox- 
borough, N. C, were united in marriage. Mrs. 
Hopkins was a daughter of Rev. William R. 
Webb, a well-known and eloquent Methodist di- 
vine, whose death some years ago was deepl}' 
mourned as a great loss to the church which he 
so abl}' represented. Our subject and his estima- 
ble wife were the parents of six children, one of 
wliom passed awa^- in infancy. William A., the 
eldest child, was born February 0, 1866, in Person 
County, N. C; Susan E., Mrs. A. B. Zweifel, was 
born March 20, 1869, in Person County, N. C; 
Mary E., born November 8, 1871; Margaret L., 
December 28, 1874; and Fannie B., November 
2, 1877, are all natives of Clay County, Mo. 
March 15, 1881, the beloved mother of these 
children died of consumption, after four years of 
suffering, patiently borne, and, a devoted member 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, passed away 
in the faith and joyful hope of a blessed immor- 
tality. Mr. Hopkins kept his family together and 
cared for them tenderly, filling as best he could 
the place of father and mother until his second 
marriage. -July 20, 1881, he married Miss Sarah 
E. Reed, of Missouri Cit}', a daughter of James 
and Nancy J. Reed, old-time residents of Missouri 
Citj'. Mrs. Hopkins was born October 24, 1838, 
and is a lady of worth and intelligence. Her 
father died in 1876, but her mother yet survives, 
aged eighty-four years. Her sister, Margaret E. 
Reed, is now Postmistress of Missouri City. An- 
other sister, Mollie, Mrs. Arthur Leopold, resides 
in Centropolis, Mo. John Reed, the only brother, 
is a prominent citizen of Kansas City. No chil- 
dren have been born of the second marriage. The 
eldest son of Mr. Hopkins, William A., is station 
agent of the Wabash Railroad at CarroUton, Mo. 
Fraternally, our subject is a member of Lodge No. 
193, A. F. & A. M., and was initiated in Person 
(N. C.) Lodge. Politically a Democrat, he cast 
his first vote for the party in 1858. In religious 
faith a Methodist, he has been connected with 
that denomination nearly all his life. His present 
wife is a memlier of the Christian Church. Mr. 



Hopkins and his family occupy positions of use- 
fulness and influence in their various homes, and 
are upright, intelligent and enterprising citizens, 
worthily receiving the sincere regard of all who 
know them. 



■^•^■>-#-f' 



LFRED C. TURNER, general merchant of 
Browning is a dealer and shipper of all 
kinds of live stock. He owns Kentncky 
f^ as his native State, his birth having oc- 

curred in Madison County, in 1857. Until arriv- 
ing at mature years, his time was spent on a farm 
and in obtaining an education. For some time he 
attended Central University, of Richmond, Ky., 
where he finished his studies. His father, Alfred 
C. Turner, was a native of that city, and wedded 
Miss Martha C. White. To them were born four 
sons and a daughter, who are: Talton T., who is 
engaged in the lumber business at Lexington, Ky., 
and is married; Brutus W., a general merchant of 
Richmond, Ky.; Curtis F., a retired merchant and 
banker of Linn County, Mo.; Alfred C, our sub- 
ject; and Anna, who became the wife of Dr. Alex 
G. Fife, of Richmond, Ky., who was a soldier in 
the late war. The latter have one son, Leon F., 
who is in partnership with our subject. 

When our subject entered upon the active 
duties of life, he commenced dealing in horses 
and mules in Columbia, S. C, where he car- 
ried on that business until the year 1886. The 
following spring he located in Browning, Linn 
County, to which place he had come on a visit 
to his brother. This locality impressed him favor- 
ably, and he has never seen reason to regret his 
decision in remaining here. For a while he was 
book-keeper and manager of a grocer}- business. 
He afterward carried on the Adams & Sons cream- 
ery and mercantile business until in 1889, having 
bought out J. H. Biswell & Co., of Browning, he 
embarked on his own account in general merchan- 
dising, which occupation he still follows. 

In 1882, Mr. Turner wedded Miss Maggie Far- 
ley, only daughter of Judge W. F. Farley, of Co- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



525 



lumbia, S. C. The following year she was called 
from this life. March 27, 1888, Mr. Turner mar- 
ried Miss Payne Clarkson, of Linn County, who is 
the youngest daughter of A. M. and Sue A. Clark- 
son, residents of Johnson County, Mo. Mrs. 
Turner is a Virginian by birth, and to her has 
been born two sons, Alfred Forrest and Paul B. 

Mr. Turner is Secretary and Treasurer of the 
Browning Fair Association, with which he has been 
connected for the past four years. He is also the 
Secretary and was one of the prime movers in the 
erection of Browning Hall. He is a charter mem- 
ber of Linn Lodge No. 153, K. P., of which he 
is at present Master of Finance. He also holds 
membership with the Ancient Order of United 
Workmen. He is a great admirer of the Demo- 
cratic part}' and principles, and keeps well posted 
on the leading international and important politi- 
cal questions. He is one who always makes friends 
wherever he goes, and respects the rights of other 
people. In 1892, he was made a delegate to all 
the State conventions of his party. A man who 
attends strictly to his own business, he is never- 
theless glad and willing to do whatever is in his 
power to promote the welfare of his fellow-citi- 
zens. He is a candidate for the position of Post- 
master of Browning, and is supported by a major- 
ity of the most influential Democrats in the State, 
His family move in the best social circles, and are 
held in the highest respect in this community. 



S_^ ENRY FLOYD CROOKSHANKS, who is 
jV engaged as a general mei'chant at Brown- 
V ing, Linn County, is also interested in 
% raising thoroughbred horses. His birth 
occurred in West A'irginia June 5, 1861, he being 
one of ten childven, of whom eight were sons, 
whose parents are R. D. and Maria (Miller) Crook- 
shanks, both natives of West Virginia. The record 
of these children is as follows: James W., married, 
is engaged in farming in this county; John and 
Andrew, deceased, were next in orderof birth; Sam- 
uel is professor in a commercial school in Tulare 
County, Cal.; Thomas is located on a ranch in 



California; Parker is a prosperous farmer of this 
county; Henry F., our subject, is next; and Sarah 
Martha completes the number. The father of these 
children removed from the State of his birth in 
1864, hoping to improve his fortunes in the West, 
and with that object in mind became a resident of 
Missouri, where he turned his attention to agricul- 
tural pursuits. 

Henry F. Crookshanks was a lad nine years of 
age when with his parents he removed to Linn 
County. He worked on the home farm until reach- 
ing his majoritj', and in addition to ordiuaiy 
school advantages he was enabled to attend a nor- 
mal school and a commercial college. After leav- 
ing school, he engaged in teaching for several 
3'ears in various portions of Linn County, after 
which he clerked one year for Flemming, Bowling 
& Co., then in business at Browning, in whose era- 
ploy he remained for two years. The experience 
thus gained in practical business life has been a 
great benefit to him in his later years. For a 
short time he engaged in the grocery business 
until, a favorable opportunitj- offering, he opened 
a hardware store, which, however, he onl}' con- 
ducted for six months, at that time disposing of 
his interest in the concern. For a year thereafter, 
he clerked for Mr. Mairs in his general store, and in 
1887, entering into partnership with I"\ M. Hay- 
maker, engaged in general merchandising. At the 
end of four years, our subject purchased his part- 
ner's interest and the firm is now doing business 
under the name of Crookshanks it Co. They have 
a large and lucrative trade in this vicinity and 
make it their chief endeavor to please their many 
patrons. Our subject is also interested in various 
enterprises. In partnership with Sir. Fishback, he 
is engaged in breeding fine mules and thorough- 
bred trotting horses. Of the former he owns three 
of the Mammouth Kentucky breed, which are the 
finest of the kind in Missouri. They have recently 
purchased from the Danforth Stock Farm, of Taze- 
well Count}', 111., the celebrated trotting stallion, 
"Optiniates," No. 16,782, sired by ''Sultan," No-. 
1513, and half-brother to "Slamboul," whose time 
was 1:1^. Adjoining their stables the}' are making 
a fine race track, their intentions being to keep a 
number of the finest racing stock on hand. Mr. 



526 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Crookshanks is also interested iu the New Enter- 
prise Flour Mill, now in process of construction 
at Browning, in which they have put the latest 
machinery and rollers made by the Case Manufac- 
turing Company, of Columbus, Ohio. 

In 1888, Mr. Crookshanks was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Mattie Cawood, a native of In- 
diana. Two children grace their union, called re- 
spectively Vernon Roy and Irvin. Politically, 
our subject is a member of the Democratic party 
and is a public-spirited citizen, one of the wide- 
awake business men of the communit}-. 



"if OSEPH WOODWARD. The subject of this 
sketch is a Pennsylvanian by birth and has 
the sterling principles of the better class of 

citizens of the Keystone State. He was 

born in Fayette County December 10, 1836, and 
inherits English blood from his ancestors. Caleb 
Woodward, the grandfather, was born in the Citjf 
of Brotherly Love, and after successfully follow- 
ing the life of a farmer and blacksmith died in 
Fayette County. There liis son Davis, the father 
of our subject, was born and passed his boyhood. 
In his youth be became familiar with the details 
of farming, into the mj'Steries of which he was early 
initiated. 

At the age of twenty-two ^'ears Davis Wood- 
ward married Mary, daughter of Robert Boyd. 
After that event he sought a home in the vicin- 
ity of Conncllsville, and there he and his wife 
eventually passed from life. The old home place 
is now in possession of Ebeneezer F. Woodward, a 
brother of our subject. The father was a Demo- 
crat, politically. At the time of his death in April, 
1882, he was a member of the Presbyterian Church. 
His wife was called from life in November, 1890. 
Their children were: Robert, deceased; Caleb and 
Samuel, of Fayette County', Pa.; Rebecca, wife of 
Charles S. Beatty, of Fayette County; Ebeneezer F., 
who resides on the old home farm of two hundred 
and fifty-two acres; John, who makes his home in 
Fayette County; Phwbc, wife of James Collins, of 
Franklin County-, Kan.; Mary, who became the 



wife of Joseph Cox and died in Fayette Counts'; 
Eliza, Mrs. Stewart Henderson, who resides in 
Warren Countj', 111.; Dempsey, who lives in Penn- 
sylvania; and Harriet, who is the wife of Stewart 
Henderson, of Pennsylvania. The father of these 
children was very successful in his farming opera- 
tions and became the owner of about seven hun- 
dred acres of land. He was a man whose character 
was above reproach, and the respect at all times 
shown him was worthily bestowed. 

Joseph Woodward spent his youth and early 
manhood in the State of his birth and attended the 
district schools in the vicinity of his home, which 
favored him with a good education. He remained 
with his parents until February 18, 1864, when he 
married Miss Agnes, daughter of Isaac and Sail}' 
(Stauffer) Sinutz. Her grandfather, David Smutz, 
who was of German descent, removed from Ila- 
gerstown, Md., to Westmoreland County, Pa., when 
her father was six years of age. The latter 
was one of eight children, and after a useful and 
well-spent life died in Fayette County, Pa., in 
1866. His children were as follows: Christian, 
a resident of Fayette County, Pa.; David, who 
died in Brunswick, Mo.; Mary, wife of William 
Smith, of Chariton County, Mo.; Samuel, also of 
this county; Agnes, Mrs. Woodward ; Martha, wife 
of Henry Nicholson, of this county; Joshua, also 
residing here; and Isaiah, of Fayette County, Pa. 
The mother of Mrs. Woodward died in New Haven, 
Pa., in October, 1890. 

After his marriage, Joseph Woodward rented 
land of his father for sixteen years and then 
bought one hundred and eighteen acres from him. 
He successfully tilled the soil of this propertj^ 
until April, 1883, when he came West to Missouri 
and purchased land. After a residence of eleven 
months in Brunswick he removed to his present 
farm, which consists of four hundred and fifty 
acres. He devotes his attention to the raising of 
the usual farm products, as well as cattle, hogs, 
sheep and mules, all of which are of good grade. 
Doubtless no man in the county is more universallj- 
respected than Mr. Woodward. To know him is to 
hold him in high regard, for he is possessed of 
those sterling characteristics which make a true 
man. He is genial and hospitable in his inter- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



529 



course wilh those around him, and as a natural 
consequence has a host of warm friends. He has 
a fine young apple orchard of three acres, and on 
his farm has erected excellent buildings of all 
kinds, including a comfortable residence. 

Politically, Mr. Woodward is a Democrat, and 
has for some time served as School Director in his 
district. Socially, he is a member of Brunswick 
Lodge No. 178, A. O. U. W. He and his wife are 
members in good standing of the Presbyterian 
Church. He is a patron of education and has 
given his children excellent advantages, which 
they have improved. Sally, wife of John Shields, 
of Mt. Pleasant, Pa., was an attendant of a select 
school of Connellsville, Pa. Mary, who teaches in 
Mendon, Mo., received a High Sciiool education 
and was afterward a student in the Normal School 
at Stanberry, Mo.; Emma, wife of E. G. St. Clair, 
of Wellsville, Kan., received a High School edu- 
cation and prior to her marriage followed the pro- 
fession of teaching; Davis, who is at home, received 
a High School education; Isaac S., who teaches 
near Rothville, attended the public schools of 
Brunswick and was graduated from a business col- 
lege at Quincy, 111. The other children, Caliph, 
Arthur, Christian, Walter, John G., Thompson E., 
Winona and Edwin G. are still attending school. 
In the summer of 1891 the daughters who are 
teaching visited the city of Toronto, Canada, 
where they attended the convention of the Na- 
tional Educational Association. 



^^HOMAS M. DEACY, Circuit Clerk of Ray 
/jf^^\ County, is a native of Missouri, and al- 
vV^^ though he has scarcely attained middle life, 
is widely known as a successful and prominent in- 
structor, having taught in the country schools for 
nearly a score of j'ears. Our subject was born 
March 3,1851, in Knoxville, Ray County, Mo., 
and is a son of William and Caroline (Spurleck) 
Deacy. The father, a native of Kentucky, was a 
carpenter and joiner by trade, and was also an ex- 
cellent book-keeper. He came to Ray County 
when only eighteen years of age. and soon found 



employment in his new home. He was active, in- 
dustrious and energetic, and throughout his life 
was univeisally respected and esteemed. 

William and Caroline Deac\' were united in 
marriage in Ray County, and settled at first in 
Richmond. Afterward thej' located in Knoxville, 
where Mr. Deacj' became a prosperous contractor 
and builder. During the Civil War he enlisted as 
a soldier in the Confederate service and was killed 
in the year 1863. His family consisted of four 
children, three sons and one daughter, who lived to 
mourn his loss. Our subject is the second child in 
the family, and was early trained into habits of 
industry, and grew up earnest and self-reliant. 
AVhile a boy he received the benefit of study in 
the countrj' schools, and diligentl}- sought to pre- 
pare himself for the profession of a teacher. He 
passed an excellent examination and at the age of 
nineteen years entered upon the duties of that 
vocation, which he faithfully discharged for nine- 
teen successive years. 

When Mr. Deacy was but eight years old, he re- 
moved with his parents to the Morton neighbor- 
hood, Ray County, and there attended school. 
His first experience as a teacher was gained in 
Carroll County, where he taught three consecutive 
sessions, and then received the ajipointment as 
teacher in his own district, where when a lad he 
had himself gained instruction. He remained in 
the Morton neighboihood j'ear after year, and 
taught in the home school for one hundred and 
ten months. During this length of time, he re- 
sided upon his eighty-acre farm, which under his 
direct supervision yielded a bounteous harvest 
and profitable returns. Within the nine years 
our subject had been elected School Commissioner 
three consecutive terms, and gave such faithful 
service to this public office that he materially 
aided in the promotion of a higher grade of 
scholarship and instruction. In 1890, Mr. Deac}' 
was elected Circuit Clerk of Ray County for a 
term of four years, and in this official capacity' has 
proved him.self energetic, efficient and courteous, 
winning the confidence and good-will of the gen- 
eral public. 

In 1875 our subject w.is united in marriage 
with Miss Edward A. Hawkins, who was born and 



530 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



renred in Ray Couutj-, and is a daughter of 
Thomas and Louisa (Thomson) Hawkins. Mr. 
and Mrs. Deacy are the parents of one child, a 
son, James M., now eleven years of age. In poht- 
ical affiliations, our subject is a Democrat, and a 
strong adherent of the party. He and his good 
wife are among tlie active members of the Baptist 
Church, of which he is a Deacon. Ever ready to 
assist in the social or benevolent enterprises of his 
church, he is also numbered among the important 
factors in advancing tlie interests of his township 
and county, and is esteemed as a public-spirited 
and progressive American citizen. 



RS. SARAH A. SUMMER. After a life 
well spent, Mrs. Summer has passed from 
earth, but though dead her memory still 
lives in the liearts of those who loved her. 
A true friend in times of sorrow and generous to 
those in need, her friends were as numerous as her 
acquaintances, and the esteem of rich and poor 
alike was hers. She was born in Scott County, 
Kj'., in 1823. Her father, Isom M.Ferguson, was a 
native of Franklin Count}', Va., and the youngest 
of six children in the family of Isom Ferguson, 
Sr., who was a native of Virginia and there died. 
The family is of Scotch descent, as the name indi- 
cates. The father of our subject was reared a far- 
mer and served in the War of 1812 with the rank 
of Major. His brothers were also soldiers in that 
great struggle between the I'nited States and the 
"Mistress of the Seas." 

In 1810, Isom M. Ferguson decided to leave his 
native place and chose Kentucky for his new home, 
locating in Scott County, whore he carried on the 
occupation of miller until 1826. He then removed 
farther Westward, making the journey to Missouri 
with a three-horse team and wagon. His wife and 
two children accompanied him and the family set- 
tled in Chariton County, on the line between 
Howard and Chariton Counties. Here Mr. Fer- 
guson bought eighty acres in tlie woods and soon 
erected the little log cabin of tiie pioneer, wliich 
was placed on the county line, lie was a success- 



ful farmer and became the owner of three hundred 
and twenty acres of land prior to his death, which 
occurred in 1864. An expert in the use of the 
gun, the family larder was always supplied with 
game during the early days of his residence in 
Missouri. The first well ever dug in the county 
was sunk upon his place, and through his exertions 
the farm was one of the best improved for miles 
around. 

The mother of our subject, Julia Kenne}-, was 
born in Scott County, K3'. Her father, Thomas 
Kenney, a native of Lancaster County, Pa., settled 
in Kentucky at an early date and married Patsey 
Dickenson, a daughter of Col. William Dickenson, 
a Revolutionarj' soldier, and one of the pioneers 
of Kentucky, who engaged in the Indian wars. 
Col. Dickenson made the journey to Kentucky on 
foot, packing provisions on horseback, and became 
a successful farmer of that State, where he died. 
Grandfather Kenney was a farmer of Kentucky. 
The mother of our subject died at the old home in 
1876, in the faith of the Baptist Churcli, of which 
she was a faithful and consistent member. Nine 
children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson, of 
whom our subject was the eldest, and of this num- 
ber only three are now living. 

Mrs. Summer received her primary education in 
the State of her birth, and upon coming to Mis- 
souri she attended such schools as the country af- 
forded. In 1849, she returned to Kentucky, and 
remained in her old home for four years. There 
in 1851 she married John N. Bendell, a native of 
France, where he was reared, and educated and 
learned the trade of cabinet-maker. When still a 
young man, he came to Scott County, and after 
his marriage located in Midway, Ky., where he fol- 
lowed his trade of cabinet-maker. Two years af- 
ter her marri.age, our subject was left a widow, her 
husband dying in 1853. She removed to Missouri, 
where she resided with her parents for a time and 
then returned to tlie home of her youth. In 1864, 
she w.as married a second time, her husband being 
George Summer, who was born in Morgan Count}', 
Tenn. He came to Chariton County when a 
young man and engaged in farming three miles 
from Salisbury. At the time of his death in 1868, 
he was the possessor of three hundred .acres <.)f 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



531 



land. He was a prominent Republican and an old 
settler of the county, who was greatly esteemed 
by all who knew him. 

After the death of her husband, Mrs. Summer 
alternated between Missouri and Kentucky, giving 
the preference to Kentucky until 18711, when she 
located in Salisbury and afterward made this place 
her home. In her comfortable residence she quietly 
passed the evening of her life until death called 
her hence. She had a life lease on eighty acres of 
land and was comfortably situated. None of her 
children lived to maturit}'. She was an active 
member of the Baptist Church, in which she took 
a deep interest. 

EWIS M. APPLEGATE,a resident of Keytes- 
ville, Chariton County, is President of the 
Keytesville Mercantile Companj', the prin- 
cipal dealers in dr}- goods in the place. He is also 
President of the Farmers' Bank of Chariton County', 
and is numbered among the most enterprising cit- 
izens, one who is ever in the front rank of improve- 
ments and public enterprises in general. 

The early history of the Applegate family in the 
West is as follows: In 1819 the four sons of Daniel 
A., of Shelbj' County, Ky., who came originally 
from Virginia, emigrated to Missouri. Charles, 
Lindsay and Jesse settled in St. Clair County, 
whence they subsequently went to Oregon, while 
Lisbon remained in St. Louis County. The father 
of these sons was a soldier in the Revoiutionar}' 
War, as was also their grandfather, who rose to the 
rank of an officer. Lisbon was born in 1803, in 
Shelby Count}-, Ky., where he was reared and edu- 
cated as a surveyor. In May, 1824, he wedded 
Miss Elizabeth Martin, whose father was one of the 
first white settlers of St. Louis County. With his 
bride Mr. Applegate removed to Cole County, 
where he resided until 1832. He was very promi- 
nent in that locality and was Judge of the County 
Court for some years. The year 1832 witnessed 
his arrival in Chariton County, where he passed 
the remainder of his life, some fortj'-Hve years. 
After engaging in agricultiuai pursuits in this 



county a few years, he took a Government con- 
tract for surveying a large part of the Platte Pur- 
chase. Soon after removing to Keytesville in 
1837, he was elected Judge of the County Court, a 
position he held for a number of years, and in 184.5 
was elected to the State Constitutional Convention 
from this district. In 1849, on the discovery of 
gold, with his two sons, George and John L., he 
went to California, but was not very successful as 
a miner. lie was shortly after his return elected 
to the office of Public Administrator, being his 
own successor in that position until the breaking 
out of the war. His sympathies were with the 
South and he was very active in organizing re- 
cruits for the defense of the State, its Southern 
rights and institutions. At the beginning of the 
war he led what is known as Applegate's raid, af- 
terward joining Gen. Price with his command. He 
was made a Major on that General's staff and was 
among his most trusted officers. His death occurred 
in 1875. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Cole 
County, Mo., January 23, 1832, on his father's 
farm. He is a son of Lisbon and Elizabeth (Mar- 
tin) Applegate, and is one of six sons who were 
as follows; George W., a resident of California; 
John L., who died in California in 1887; William 
C, whose death occurred March 6, 1883; James L., 
who is connected with the Martin Collins Insurance 
Company of St. Louis; our subject, and Lisbon, 
who died in early youth. The mother, who was 
a member of the Baptist Church, departed this 
life December 13, 1890. 

When Lewis M. Applegate was an infant, his 
father removed to Chariton County, settling on a 
farm near Salt Creek, about six miles from where 
Brunswick now stands. Here he lived for six years, 
when liis father removed to Kej^tesville, and in this 
city he was reared to manhood, receiving a good 
education. When fifteen j'ears of age he com- 
menced teaching in the country' schools, and was 
afterward employed as Deputy County Clerk until 
he was twent3'-one years of .ige, when he was 
elected County Clerk. To that position he was 
re-elected, and during his last term occurred the 
firing on Ft. Sumter. Tliough elected this time, 
he refused to take the Government oath required 



532 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



by the Constitutional Convention of the Federal 
Government. After he left that office he engaged 
in general farming, ill which line he has since been 
occupied. 

In 1857, Mr. Applegate and Miss Phoebe Burch 
were married. Her father, Washington C. Burch, 
was a member of an old Missouri family, who 
originally came from Viiginia. Mrs. Applegate 
was born and reared in Chariton County and by 
her marriage became the mother of two children: 
George H., who is a resident of Keytesville, and is 
emploj'ed in his father's store, and Fannie, wife of 
Judge W. W. Rucker, a prominent lawyer of the 
county and present nominee for Circuit Judge. 
Our subject was called upon to mourn the loss of 
his wife in September, 1862. She was a devoted 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

On December 1, 1863, our subject and Miss Mar}^ 
E., daughter of Harrison Hawkins, were united in 
marriage. Her father was a cooper by trade, com- 
ing to Keytesville from Boone County, Mo. Mrs. 
Applegate was born in that count}- and by her 
marriage had one daughter, Anna Lou. She is a 
member of the Methodist P>piscopal Church South. 

Mr. Applegate is a member of the Ancient Free 
& Accepted Masons and of the Ancient Order of 
United Workmen. For about twenty-five years he 
was Secretary of Warren I^odge No. 74, of the 
former order, and was also at one time Treasurer 
of the lodge. Politically he is a Democrat. He 
owns a drug store, which is operated by his nephew, 
Lisbon, the firm being known as Morton ifc Apple- 
gate. Our subject owns about seven hundred acres 
of land, wliich he rents and lets out on shares. He 
has recently finished a line residence with all 
modern improvements. 

']U^ ON. JOSEPH W. DORTON, an energetic, 
ijj, enterprising and prosperous citizen, pro- 
iiW^ prietor of the only roller process flouring 
(^ mill in Orrick, Ray Count}^ Mo., resides 
upon his highly cultivated farm of one hundred 
and fifty-six acres, situated upon section 28, Cam- 
den Townshii), about two miles east of Orrick, and 



is widel}' known as a man of sterling integrity of 
character and fine business attainments. His par- 
ents were people in humble circumstances in life, 
but possessed the virtues of honesty and industry 
and trained their son up to self-reliant h.abits, in- 
culcating in him the stern principles of honor 
and rectitude. Our subject was born August 12, 
1830, and receiving but very limited advantages 
for an education, ardently improved every oppor- 
tunity to acquire book knowledge, and grew up to 
manhood eager, hopeful and earnestly determined 
to win his way to affluence and prosperity. His 
path was rugged, but cheered by the love and 
solicitude of his mother, who, born in 1814, sur- 
vived until 1883, and was the fond care of her 
devoted son. His father, born in 1800, died in 
1863, and for a score of years the mother spent 
her days with Mr. Dorton. 

At the tender .age of ten years .Joseph W. Dor- 
ton began the struggle of life for himself, and 
from his early childhood up to his present ma- 
ture age his career has been marked by perse- 
vering industry and distinguished by pronounced 
success. After the death of his father, James B. 
Dorton, he took upon himself the care of the fam- 
ily, and nobly fulfilled the obligations he then as- 
sumed. Our subject was married December 17, 
1863, to Miss Mary Good, b.v whom he became 
the father of six children, two of whom died in 
infancy; four are j'et surviving. His excellent 
wife died July 1, 1873, leaving him with the care 
of a family of small children, the youngest little 
more than a babe. In 1874, our subject married 
Miss Beatrice Butcher, who survived her marriage 
only eleven months and ten days, and her infant, 
then but a few days old, is now almost eighteen 
years of age. For the third time Mr. Dorton en- 
tered into the marriage relation, and unfortunate in 
his selection of a life partner, was released from 
these matrimonial bonds by due process of law. 

Our subject, believing that outside of domestic 
happiness the world has but little worth, again 
married, and now enjoys the comforts conferred 
by a true home and pleasant surroundings. Mrs. 
Dorton, a most estimable lady, is a mother to the 
children of her husband and a faithful companion 
and helpmate. Aside from his other business Mr. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



533 



Dorton is an extensive shipper of grain, and in 
his mill and upon tiie farm is ably assisted b}' liis 
enterprising sons, wlio are numbered among tlie 
rising and representative young men of Ray 
County. Commanding the esteem and high re- 
gard of all who know him, our subject has a host 
of earnest friends who, in the fall of 1892, placed 
his name at the head of the Independent ticket as 
the Representative of the county, but the ticket 
suffered defeat. In political atfiliations, Mr. Dor- 
ton is not swayed by party considerations, but, a 
man of upiight principles, clear brain and excel- 
lent judgment, gives his vote, after intelligent 
consideration, to the best man for the place, and 
in so doing most truly fulfills his obligation as a 
true and patriotic American citizen. 






ON. JOHN G. HOUSTON, the subject of 
this sketch, has figured so prominently and 
in so many public enterprises and offices, 
and has contributed individually so greatly 
to the improvement of Carrollton, that his name 
well deserves a conspicuous place in the annals of 
the town. He has charge of the largest insurance 
agency here. Mr. Houston, who is an ex- Mayor 
of the city, was born in Lexington, La Fayette 
County, Mo., July 6, 1846. He is a son of G. C. 
Houston, who was born in J'lemingsburgh, Ky. 
His grandfather, Abner Houston, was a native of 
Virginia and of .Scotch descent, who traced his an- 
cestry without a break as far back as 1160. 

Our subject's father was educated in Flemings- 
burgh and graduated from the medical college of 
Lexington, Ky. In 1845, he removed to Lexing- 
ton, Mo., for the practice of his profession, and the 
next year started for California, taking the over- 
land route. If he did not make his fortune dur- 
ing that eventful trip, he at least found plenty of 
employment for his medical skill among the ad- 
venturous old age and youth that passed in an un- 
ceasing stream over the plains. He remained in 
California eighteen months and then returned to 
Missouri, when he [iracticed his profession in sev- 
eral places, finally locating on a farm on the 



bottom lands, six miles southeast of Carrollton. 
Here he united the practice of his profession and 
his agricultural occupation. In 1855, he went to 
Kansas and engaged in the war against John Brown 
in putting down local disturbances. 

Our subject's mother was Miss Elizabeth Chiun 
before her marriage. She was born in Mason 
County, Ky., and was a daughter of Elijah Cbinn. 
She still lives and is now the wife of Judge A. M. 
Herndon, a farmer near this city. John G. Hous- 
ton is the sole living child of his father's family. 
He came to Carrollton in the spring of 1855, and 
has since lived here. He resided with his mother 
on the farm until twenty-two years of age and had 
but limited school advantages. His first marriage 
took place in this county, his bride being Miss 
Cordelia Briscoe. They immediately located on a 
farm six miles north of the city, to which the3- 
came in 1870. He opened a cigar store here and 
conducted a retail business for three 3'ears, after 
which he launched into the insurance business, 
which he has been enlarging until he is now the 
most important agent in the county, writing up 
policies for the following companies: .Etna; Ger- 
man-American; North American; Liverpool & Lon- 
don and Globe; Royal; Connecticut; Home of New- 
York; Springfield; Phcvnix and Norwich Union. 
Mr. Houston is one of the leading insurance men 
of the State. He also does considerable business in 
writing up life policies and those for glass and 
tornadoes. Since his business has assumed such 
proportions, he has given it his exclusive atten- 
tion. He has had .an office in the Minck Building 
for sixteen years. 

Mrs. Cordelia Houston died, leaving her hus- 
band two children: G. Briscoe and Mabel. The 
former is a graduate of the dental college of 
St. Louis, and is now located at Willow Springs 
Our subject married a second time, his wife being 
a IMiss Dollie Vaughn, born in Kentucky and 
reared in La Fayette County. She also died, in 
January, 1871. His third wife was also a Ken- 
tucky lady, whose name was Jennie Kelsey. Their 
marriage occurred in November, 1872, and has been 
blessed by two children, Howard K. and John G., Jr. 

Mr. Houston wasTownshii) Clerk for three terms 
and City Clerk for five terms. In 1885, he was 



534 



POjciTRAIT AND BIOGRAl'mCAL, RECORD. 



elected Mayor on the Democratic ticket. Tlie fol- 
lowing year he was re-elected and again in 1890 
and 1891. During his tenure of office the water 
works were put in the city and the principal part 
of the macadamizing of the streets was accom- 
plished. Also the Fire Department was enlarged 
and re-organized. It is much to say in his capac- 
ity as insurance agent that he has never had a 
suit, nor has not a claim unsettled. Fraternally, 
he belongs to the Ancient Order of ITnited Work- 
men, also to the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows. In church matters, he and his wife believe 
with the Christian denomination, and in politics 
he is an ardent Democrat and is Chairman of the 
City Democratic Convention. 

ERNEST KELLERSTRASS, the energetic and 
enterprising proprietor of a wholesale and 
retail liquor store in Excelsior Springs, 
Clay County, is a prominent and generous citizen, 
ever ready to aid the suffering and needy, and lib- 
eral in matters of local enterprise and improve- 
ments. Our subject was born October 6, 18(54, in 
Peoria, 111., and is the son of Robert and Mar- 
guerite (Augustine) Kellerstrass, natives of Ger- 
many. The parents emigrated to America when 
quite young, settling in Peoria, where they pros- 
perously kept an hotel for over thirty years. Their 
healthy, happy family of three daughters and five 
sons — Christ, .tosei>h, Charles, Robert, Ernest, M.ag- 
gie, Minnie and Pickie — are married and living in 
Peoria, except our subject. The father was a man 
of exceptional ability' and a splendid financier, 
and at his death left a small fortune to his fam- 
ily. He was the owner of a large real-estate inter- 
est in the city, of which ten acres lie in the very 
heart of Peoria, and arc now of great value. He 
was a man of kindly and affectionate disposition, 
and was devoted to his wife and children. 

The good old mother yet survives and receives 
the care and attention which she well deserves 
from her sons and daughters. Throughout her 
many years as a loving wife she has never failed 
to cheer and comfort in hours of adversity or 



sorrow, and to her little ones was a true mother, 
ministering to their every want. In the last hours 
of her beloved husband she sustained him with 
soothing words, and faithfully until death did 
them part gave him the sunshine of her presence. 

Our subject received a common-school education, 
and was early trained in the practical duties which 
well fitted him to best make his way in the world. 
His natural ability was an important factor in 
aiding him in his upward path, and at fourteen 
years of age he became a bread-winner, and, al- 
though comparatively j'oung in years, has gained 
a comfortable competence. He has a decided tal- 
ent as an inventor, his last patented article, a 
churn, proving remunerative and yielding him 
excellent returns. 

Mr. Kellerstrass had an attractive wife, who in 
her maidenhood was Miss Emily Gusewelle, and 
has three charming children, a daughter, Gracie, 
and two bright little sons, Robert and Carl. The 
estimable wife and mother passed away of heart 
failure on the 5th of April, 1892, her husband 
being absent at the time in Arkansas. He was 
sent for, but when he reached home the spirit 
had fled and his beloved wife was no more. The 
sudden death of this lovely young woman was a 
great bereavement to a large circle of mourning 
relatives and friends, and to her devoted husband 
was an irreparable loss. Her memory will long 
be fragrant in the hearts of all who knew her. 
The little boys are living with tiieir Grandmother 
Kellerstrass in Peoria, and Gracie is with her aunt, 
Mi.ss Oppenheimer, of St. Joseph, Mo. Little Gracie 
is a lovely and lovable child, attractive in person 
and unusually sweet in mind and heart. She is 
the idol of her father and beloved by all who 
know the winning little girl. The venerable and 
motherly aunt with whom she resides reared and 
educated her mother. 

The parents of Mrs. Kellerstrass live in Atch- 
ison, Kan., where her father is a wholesale liquor 
dealer and real-estate owner. He is a German 
by birth and has five children, all of whom are 
living but Emily, Mrs. Kellerstrass. Our sub- 
ject is a valued member of the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows, and is also connected 
with llie Knights of Pythias of Excelsior Springs. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



635 



lie is a practical business man of integrity, and, 
as a citizen, is ever ready to do his share in the 
promotion of local advancement. Genial in his 
manners and cordial in expression, he has a host 
of sincere friends. 



'\T| OIIN S. LEWIS, the efficient, enterprising 
and poi)iiiar General jVIanager, Secretary 
and Treasurer of the Lewis Mercantile 
Company, within whose large establishment, 
located in Excelsior Springs, may be found the 
best and most complete stock of dry goods, cloth- 
ing, boots, shoes, hats, caps, and gents' furnishing 
goods in Clay County, is fully equal to all the de- 
mands of his position and is a young man of ex- 
ecutive business ability and indomitable energy. 
Our subject was born Juh- 4, 1861, and is the son 
of Stephen and Margaret E. Lewis. The father 
was born near Danville, Mo., in 1835, and, a far- 
mer by occupation, cultivates his fine homestead of 
two hundred and twenty-five acres adjacent to 
Richmond, Ray County, and is a heavj' stock- 
feeder, now having on hand $7,000 worth of stock. 
Stephen Lewis is widely known and has long been 
numbered among the substantial men, leading citi- 
zens and representative agriculturists of Missouri. 
He is a strong Democrat and an earnest supporter 
of the principles of the party. 

The mother was a daughter of Thomas Hamilton, 
a native of Kentucky, who settled in Ray County, 
Mo., in an early day. Grandfather Lewis was also 
a native of Kentucky, as were his immediate an- 
cestors. Our subject is the only living child of 
his parents, one daughter, Matilda, having died 
in childhood. John S. received only the edu- 
cation attainable in the common schools of his 
home locality but well improved every opportunity 
to gain instruction, and with a fund of native 
ability has with industrious self-reliance won his 
upward way to a position of large trust and re- 
sponsibility. Ever since he was sixteen years of 
age, although remaining at home with his fatlier, he 
has really engaged in business for himself and to 
his father's practical advice, encouragement and 



training our subject undoubtedly owes a large 
share of his youthful success in life. October 28, 
1885, Mr. Lewis was united in marriage with Miss 
Minerva E. Dale, daughter of M. G. Dale, County 
Judge of Ray County', and an extensive general 
agriculturist and successful stock-raiser. The at- 
tractive and cultured wife of our subject occupies 
a leading position in the societ\' of Clay County 
and enjoys the esteem of a large circle of true 
friends. 

Four children have blessed with their presence 
the beautiful home, but one little one passed away 
in infancy. Minnie, born June 16, 1887; Glen, 
April 25, 1890, and Charlie, October 10, 1892, are 
all bright and promising children, the sunshine 
and joy of the household. In 1879, Mr. Lewis in 
company with his father engaged in mercantile 
trade, opening a general store at Crab Orchard, 
Ray County. He continued there until 1888, in 
the meantime starting a similar establishment at 
Prathersville, in Clay County. In the year 1888, 
the}' consolidated the two stores and located the 
business at Excelsior Springs, in what is now the 
Bank of Excelsior Springs Building. Upon Febru- 
ary 6, 1892, a charter was received from the State 
incorporating a companj' styled the Lewis Mer- 
cantile Company, with Stephen Lewis as President, 
D. S. Shelton as Vice-president, and John S. Lewis 
Secretary, Treasurer and General Manager. Our 
subject has since the infancy of this prosperous es- 
tablishment done all the buying of the immense 
variety of stock, which they keep constantly re- 
plenished with the newest and most desirable styles 
of goods upon the market. 

Under the w«tchful supervision of our subject, 
the enterprise has from the first proveA an assured 
success, and the trade constantly extending its 
early limits now embraces a large outside territory 
and is assuming most liberal proportions and far 
exceeding what was at first expected. Our subject 
is too busy a man to seek or even desire political 
promotion, but is a sturdy Democrat and a firm 
believer in the principles of the party of the peo- 
ple. Fraternally, he is a member of the Ancient 
Order of United Workmen and is associated with 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; he also 
belongs to the Knights of Pythias. Mr, Lewis is 



536 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



in every sense of tlie word a thoroughly practical 
man, neglecting no duty and conducting his affairs 
with an eye to the future. lie carries a life policy' 
in the Equitable, of New York, and thus provi- 
dently provides for his family in the event of 
his sudden demise. A generous man, liberal in the 
proper use of the money at his disposal, our sub- 
ject is ever ready to assist in local enterprise and 
works of charity. Widely and favorably known 
throughout his native State, he commands the re- 
spect and high esteem of a host of sincere friends. 

■jll UDGE -JOHN R. STORY. In reviewing the 
contents of this volume no adequate idea 
of the agricultural affairs of Clay County, 
or of its substantial citizens, could be formed 
did it fail to make mention of Judge Story and 
the excellent estate which he owns. Ilis residence 
tract is a valuable piece of land, on which all 
kinds of grain indigenous to the country are 
grown, and everything about his property pro- 
nounces him an agriculturist of enterprise and 
progress, such as he is acknowledged to be. Stock- 
raising has also received considerable attention at 
his hands and he has always taken pride in raising 
a good grade of animals. Judge Story hails from 
the Blue Grass State, in Anderson County of 
which he was born August 2, 1822, his father, 
John Story, having been born in Woodford County 
in 1800. In 1829 Clay County, Mo., became his 
home, and in the spring of the following \'ear he 
entered the farm on which the subject of this sketch 
now lives, and which was then in its primitive state. 
Later, he bought one hundred and sixty acres ad- 
joining, and from there he went to join the great 
majority in 1882. Politically, he was a Democrat, 
and was inclined to the Baptist belief in his relig- 
ious views. Possessing principles of the highest 
order, he was accordingly highly respected and 
had numerous warm personal friends. His wife, 
Mary Posey, was born in Anderson County, Ky., 
in 1801, a daughter of James Posey, who served 
with distinction in the War of 1812 under Gen. 
J.ackson, as did also the paternal grandfather. The 



mother died September 9, 1860, after having borne 
a large family of children, two of whom passed 
from life in infancy, one in Louisville, Ky., while 
the family were on their way to Missouri; the sec- 
ond one after reaching their destination. The other 
children are John R.; James Thomas; Eliza Jane, 
Mrs. Horace Lynn; Sarah Ellen, Mrs. William Mc- 
Kinney; Ann, Mrs. John Ford; Mary, Mrs. Benja- 
min Wheat; Frances V., Mrs. Moses Chaney; and 
William S. After being left a widower, Mr. Story 
married Mrs. Mary (Wisehart) Fry in 1863, who 
bore him one daughter. Bertha, who with her 
mother after his death moved to Indiana. 

Judge John R. Story remained with his father 
until he attained his majority and aided in clearing 
the home farm, his days being spent in splitting 
rails, cutting wood and grubbing, and it may 
be truly said that he did more in this respect 
than iiny other man now residing in the count}-. 
Owing to the fact that he was compelled to go 
from two to four miles to school, and that his ser- 
vices were in great demand on the farm, he did not 
attend at all regularly, but being desirous of ob- 
taining a good education, he pursued his studies 
at home. The schoolhouses of his day were very 
primitive log structures, the floors of which were 
invariably of mother earth. The Judge's reminis- 
cences of his boyhood days are very interesting, 
his hunting stories being especially amusing. On 
the 28th of March, 1844, he took a wife in the 
person of Miss Artel ia Crossette, a daughter of 
AVilliam and Mary Crossette, whose parents were 
born on the Isle of Erin, and emigrated to the New 
World, settling in North Carolina, where Mrs. 
Story was born. This lady was exceptionally well 
educated, and possessed an amiable and admirable 
character. She died November 4, 1887, a member 
of the Old-school Presbyterian Church. She became 
the mother of eight children, but only two survived 
her, a son and daughter: Laura .Jane, wife of 
Hugh Scudder; and Clayburn L., who married Miss 
Virginia Wysong, and lives in Clay County. 

May 8, 1888, Mr. Story married his second 
wife, Mrs. Nancy E. (Nicholls) Fawcett, daughter 
of Heniy H. and Mary C. Nicholls, of Kentucky, 
who were born in 1817 and 1821, respectively. 
In an early d.ay they S(?ttled in Clay County, Mo., 



I'ORTRAIT AND BIOGKAPHICAL RECORD. 



539 



and here reareil their family, which consisted of 
twelve children, of whom Mrs. Story was the fifth 
and is now one of the six surviving members. Mrs. 
Story was born in Clay County, July 16, 1847, 
and was first married to R:il|)h Fawcett JIarch 10, 
18t;4. 

Judge Story has been a lifelong Democrat and 
for many years has been a conspicuous figure iu 
political circles. In 1888 he was elected County 
Judge and the two years that he wore the judicial 
ermine lie distinguished himself. At the opening 
of the Civil War he organized a company of State 
troops for the Confederate service, but afterward 
resigned command of the same and returned home, 
and did not again seek to enter service. He and 
liis father were both slave-holders, but fortunately 
he did not hold many at the time of the Emanci- 
pation Proclamation. The Judge attributes his 
success in life to hard work and close attention 
to business, and says that by breaking hemp he se- 
cured means with which to purchase his first slave, 
a negro boy, for whom he gave $1,000. He is a 
member of Clay Lodge No. 207, A. F. & A. M., 
and is a member of the Old-school Presbyte- 
rian Church, his wife being a member of the Chris- 
tian Union Church. The Judge has five grand- 
children of whom he has every reason to be proud. 



ADISON J. BENSON, a leading citizen, 
prosperous business man, and the present 
efficient Postmaster at Excelsior Springs, 
Clay County, handles with executive abil- 
it\' all matters connected with the office entrusted 
to his official care, and has won the confidence of 
the general public. Our subject is a native of 
New England and was born in Worcester, Vt., 
March 19, 1844. He is the son of Hazel and 
Philena (Atwood) Benson, long-time residents of 
the Green Mountain State, of which the father 
was a native, having been born in the year 1800. 
He was a lifetime farmer, and after a career of 
usefulness passed away in 1865, within the bound- 
aries of his early home. His good wife was born 



in Waterburj', Mass., in the 3'ear 1806 and died in 
1867, having survived her husband about two 
years. 

Our subject was reared u|)on his father's farm 
and received a good common-school education, 
and attained to manhood earnest, energetic and 
self-reliant. Lessons of true patriotism he had 
also learned among the rocks and rills of Old Ver- 
mont, and when the Government issued the order 
"to arms," there was no hesitation about answer- 
ing the appeal, and upon August 16, 1861, Madi- 
son .J. Benson, then but seventeen years of age, 
enlisted in Company H, Sixth Vermont Infantry. 
After serving bravely upon the field for two years, 
he was, because of severe wounds received before 
Richmond and at Fair Oaks, honorably' discharged 
from military duty and returned home. After re- 
covering from his painful wounds, the plucky boy 
re-enlisted March 5, 1864, in Company E, Seven- 
teenth Vermont Veteran Regiment, as Sergeant, 
and bore the colors safely through Grant's long 
campaign. When he was mustered out at the close 
of the war he w.as Second Lieutenant, having been 
promoted for gallant conduct upon the field. In- 
cidents of the battles, heroic suffering and priva- 
tions cheerfully borne are related with touching 
pathos by Mr. Benson, who witnessed scenes of 
daily heroism unwritten within the annals of pub- 
lic history, but never to be forgotten by their par- 
ticipants. 

The war ended, the Lieutenant visited his early 
home and then came to Missouri, and located in 
Daviess County, where he engaged in general ag- 
riculture and stock-raising for seventeen years. 
In 1882 he removed with his family to Caldwell 
County, Mo., and prosperously conducted a mill- 
ing business until 1887, when he decided to open 
a hardware establishment in Excelsior Springs. 
He had been about three years in this business 
when, in April, 1892, he received his appointment 
as Postmaster and sold out his store and devoted 
himself to the demands of his office. 

October 4, 1869, Madison J. Benson and Miss 
Margaret Caster were united in marriage. Mrs. 
Benson is the daughter of Reason and Margaret 
Caster, of Ohio, and is the youngest daughter and 
the third child of live in order of birtii. She is a 



^7 



540 



i-ORTRAlT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



woman of genuine worth and real nobility of 
c'liaracter. Her parents are yet living, though well 
advanced in years, and both are devout members 
of the Christian Church. The father is a veteran 
of tlie Civil AVar and a member of the Grand 
Army of the Republic. Our subject and his ex- 
cellent wife are the parents of eight children: 
Gertrude M., born December 2, 1871; Emma E., 
December 21, 1873; Bertie N., January 2, 1877; 
Blanche E., December 12, 1878; George R., Feb- 
ruary 14, 1880; Harry M., February 4, 1882; Rus- 
sie. Decemlier 7, 1885; and Nelson H., April 26, 
1889. Gertrude is the wife of Robert L. Mitchell 
and lives in Kansas City; Emma and Bertie are 
both graduates of Thayer College, Kansas City, 
tlie former now being Deputy Postmaster and a 
most ciiarming official. 

Mr. Benson wears the button of tlic Grand Army 
of the Republic and affiliates with the Masonic fra- 
ternity and the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows. He has filled high posts of honor in the 
latter society and evei- endeavors to live up to the 
teachings of the order. Our subject is a most 
affable and courteous gentlemen and is a social 
favorite. Worthily holding a high position in the 
regard of the community, he has ever proved a 
true friend, brave soldier, faitliful official and up- 
riijht citizen. 



a )>)ILL R. VANHOOZER is well known in 
\/'\ji *^'''ick and throughout Ray County, Mo., 
^^^1 as the efficient and versatile editor of the 
Orrick Times, a breezy, newsy and well-conducted 
sheet, that is issued in the interests of Democracy', 
which party he has supported since attaining his 
nuajority by precept, tiirough tlie columns of his 
paper, and by example at the ballot box. He was 
born in Ray County, July 12, 1864, and has taken 
jiride in the progress and development of his 
native county, using every means at his com- 
mand in futhering her interests. Jt has been his 
aim, since taking upon himself the duties of iiis 
present position, to make the Orrick Times the best 
family journal possible, a wide-avvake and reliable 



newsiiaper, and it has been in sympathy with every 
liberal tendency, progressive movement and live 
thought which gives promise of securing the pros- 
perity and elevation of the people; its best energies, 
however, are for the interests of the town and 
county, and no effort is spared to make it worthy 
of generous patronage and hearty support. 

The father of Will R. Vanhoozer was born in 
Tennessee May 24, 1838, but after his marriage re- 
moved to Buchanan County with his wife, where 
he made his home for eight years, at the end of 
which time his wife died, leaving him with one 
daugliter to care for, she being now Mrs. J. C. 
Lester, of Independence, Mo. After the death of 
his wife he disposed of his interests in Buchanan 
County, and in 1860 took up his residence in Ray 
County, and for some time successfully^ conducted 
a general store in Orrick. In 1880 he changed his 
occupation to that of farming, which occupation 
received liis undivided attention until his death, 
November 8, 1888, at which time he was a mem- 
ber in good standing of Ada Lodge No. 444, 
A. F. & A. M.,, at Orrick He took for his sec- 
ond wife Miss Catherine Odell, a daughter of John 
and Mary Odell, of Ray County, Mo., formerl3' of 
Tennessee, and to their union three children were 
given: Will R., the subject of this sketch and the 
eldest of the family; Mary J., wife of L. G. Smith, 
of this county; and Lucy A., wife of J. O. Dillon, 
of Clay County, Mo. 

Unfortunately, iji his youth Will R. Vanhoozer 
was given veiy [loor advantages for improving 
his mind, for he was the only son and his services 
at the age of fourteen were required on the home 
farm. After he was sixteen years of age he 
never received a day'sschooling, and for a number 
of years prior to that time he only attended the 
winter terms, which usually lasted about three 
months. However, he was very desirous of mak- 
ing a good use of every opportunity, and when he 
was offered a position on the Sedalia Banoo, of Se- 
dalia. Mo., which was owned by the J. West Good- 
win Publishing Company', he eagerly accepted it 
and became a "printer's devil." Later he set 
type on tlie Richmond Democrat, and while with 
these papers he tlioroughly learned the practical 
part of the work and also showed considerable 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORlX, 



541 



ability as a writer. On the loth of April, 1891, 
tlie lirst copy of tlie Orrick Times was issued and 
came at once into popular favor, for the citizens 
of the count}^ could see at once tliat it was ably 
conducted, and as it supplied a long-felt want it 
at once met with hearty support and approval. 
It lias a subcription list that would do credit to 
many a large paper or to a much larger town than 
Orrick, which fact is highly pleasing to its youth- 
ful editor and stimulates in him a desire to con- 
tinue in the good-will of his patrons and to futher 
improve and embellish his paper. Mr. Vanhoozer 
is still unmarried. His career thus far has been 
a highly creditable one, and his outlook for the 
future is still bright with promise. 



-1^ 



-^ 



jfl_^ ON. GEORGE W. TRIGG, the enterprising 
jlTjii editor and proprietor of the well-known 
!l^^ Richmond Conservator, is a native of this 
v^l State and was born in Ray County, near 
the Carroll Count}' line, November 30, 1846. His 
father, Iladen -S. Trigg, a native of Tennessee, was 
the son of Daniel Trigg, who was of Scotch-Irish 
extraction. The mother of our subject, Elizabeth 
,1. Wilson, was born in Sumner County, near Galla- 
tin, Tenn. She was married in her native place 
but went with her husband, Haden S. Trigg, to 
Boonville, Cooper County, Mo., in 1834, and 
afterward located ift Ray County, in 1838. In 
1844 the family settled upon Wakanda Prairie, 
and remained there until 1863. About that time 
Mr. Trigg removed to Sangamon County, 111., 
where he remained until 1869, and then returned 
to Ray County, Mo. He settled in Hardin, at 
which place place he now resides, having attained 
to his eightieth year. The wife of this venerable 
pioneer citizen died October 17, 1847. 

Mr. Trigg is the youngest of four children now 
living. He was educated in the public schools, and 
then taught school in Illinois; later returning to 
Missouri, he went into the law office of C. T. Gar- 
ner. In the fall of 1869 he became a clerk in the 
Ray County Savings Bank and retained the posi- 
tion for throe years; he was elected Cashier for 



two 3'ears in succession. At the expiration of 
his term of office he went to St. Louis, and there 
engaged in book-keeping for one year. He next 
received employment under .John W. Spurlock, 
Circuit Clerk of Ray County, and held this posi- 
tion for two years, after which he was nominated 
and elected upon the Democratic ticket as County 
Clerk, and served two terms, eight years in all. 

In September, 1886, our subject bought the Con- 
sei-vatxjr and became the editor and proprietor of 
a six-column quarto pai)er, issued upon Thursdays. 
The Omservalor is Democratic in politics, but re- 
serves to itself the option of independence upon 
the moral questions of the day. Hon. George W. 
Trigg was united in marriage .June 26, 1873, with 
Miss Julia M. Jenkins, of Springfield, Mo. This 
estimable lady is the daughter of R. P. and Sarah 
E. C. Jenkins. Mr. and Mrs. Trigg are the parents 
of three children: George Allen, born November 1, 
187.5; Eleanor G., May 20, 1877, and Frank Was- 
son February 1, 1879. F'raternally, our subject is 
a member of Richmond Lodge No. 57, A. F. <fe 
A. M., and Cyrus Chapter No. 36, R. A. M. In 
May, 1892, Mr. Trigg was nominated upon the 
Democratic ticket for the honored position of 
Representative from the county of Rav, and to the 
performance of public duties will give the faithful 
attention and the marked etficienc}- which have dis- 
tinguished all his work. 

W^OBERT B. ALLISON has a well-improved 
^^ farm of arable land, consisting of two hun- 
(4!> fl\ died and thirty-five acres in Carroll County. 
His place of residence is in Tina, where he 
has a substantial two-story frame dwelling of mod- 
ern architecture, with the latest improvements and 
comforts. 

Mr. Allison was born in Orange County, Vt., on 
April 28, 1846, and passed his boj'hood days 
mainl}- in Newbury, Orange Count}', of that State. 
His father, Robert Allison, was a currier by trade, 
a native of Scotland, who crossed the Atlantic in 
1840, settling in Haverhill, N. II. The mother 
of our subject bct'ore her marriage bore the name 



542 



POKTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of Isabella Kinnard. Our subject received a fair 
coinmou-scliool education, after whicli be attended 
the academy at Xevvbury. 

Upon the completion of his school days our sub- 
ject turned his attention tu farming in the Green 
Mountain State, where he resided until 1869, when 
he emigrated to the West. Upon his arrival in St. 
Louis, Mo., he engaged in railroading, accepting a 
position as brakeman on the Indianapolis & St. Louis 
Railroad, later acting in the capacity of conduc- 
tor for the same company. He continued in the 
railroad business until 1889, when he concluded 
he would settle down upon a farm to pass the re- 
mainder of his life. He therefore purchased a 
farm near Tina, in Carroll County, which he is 
operating at the present time. In addition to 
general farming he has lately become an extensive 
raiser of and dealer in mules. 

In 188"2 Mr. Allison and Miss C. I. Barrett were 
married. The lady is a daughter of William Bar- 
rett, of Stephentowu, N. Y., and by her marriage 
lias become the mother of live children : Florence 
.1., Robert W., Laura M., Raymond R. and David 
R. 

Mr. Allison is a strong Democrat in his politi- 
cal faith, and is a Central Committeeman of Stokes 
Mound Township. After devoting twenty 3'ears 
of his life to railroading, it was quite a cliange for 
him when he took up his present occupation as a 
farmer, but his efforts have been blessed with suc- 
cess and he is developing into a first-class agricul- 
turist. 



l^x AVID C. .JESSP:E is the proprietor and edi- 
j j); tor of the Browning Record. He is a son of 
i)f!^ Charles C. and .ludith (Ferguson) .lessee, who 
were both natives of the Old Dominion. Of their 
family of four children, only three survive: our 
subject, .John P. and a sister, Rebecca E., now Mrs. 
R. v.. B. Gray. C. C. .lessee followed the occupa- 
tion of a farmer and also was for some time a 
merchant in Virginia. He is now a resident of 
Browning, where he is engaged in the grocery 
business. 



Mr. Jessee of this sketch was born in Virginia 
in 1860, .and remained in tliat State until twelve 
years of age, when he emigrated to Missouri with 
his parents. He assisted in the care of his fatiier's 
farm in Sullivan Count3' and attended school in 
the neighborhood. In 1884 he commenced teach- 
ing school, in which occupation he engaged until 
purchasing the printing and newspaper business 
at Browning. The paper is one of the best local 
Independent organs of the county, and is bright, 
crisp and newsy, containing able editorials and 
tlie latest intelligence of events happening in this 
and other counties. It has a large circulation in 
this and neighboring counties and is justly pop- 
ular. 

The marriage of Mr. .lessee and Miss Ora Jones, 
of Browning, was celebrated in 1888. Mrs. .lessee 
is a native of .Missouri, and a daughter of E. A. 
Jones, a retired farmer residing in Browning, who 
owns Kentucky as the State of his birth. Our 
worthy subject and wife have one daughter, Naomi 
Irene. The family is well received in society, and 
our subject is one of tlie important men of the 
community. He has served as Assessor of Benton 
Township, and in many other ways has endeavored 
to advance the prosperity and welfare of his fellow- 
citizens and the interests of the county at large. 

,^p^ TEPIIEN McCOLLUM, an energetic and 
^^^^ successful general agriculturist of Chariton 
VvZ-JI County, Mo., was also an ellicient member 
of the School Board, and, a native-born 
citizen of tlie county, has been his entire life inti- 
mately associated with the growth and local ad- 
vancement of the best interests and numerous pro- 
gressive enterprises of this portion of the State. 
Born in Chariton County, December 21, 1830, he 
is personally known to all the community of his 
home neighborhood, and is highl3' respected for 
his ability and upright character. His father, 
David McCoUum, was born in Kentucky in the 
latter part of the last century, and, reared among 
the pioneer scenes of his native State, grew to 
manhood an enterprising and self-reliant citizen. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



543 



He married Miss Elizabetli Sanlin, and with his 
wife came to tlie Territory of Missouri in 1819, 
and bought a farm located in the almost wilder- 
ness of the newly settled country. 

For the land purchased by the father of our sub- 
ject he paid the Government price of isl.'if) per 
acre, entering the land as a homestead exemption. 
After a thirty-years residence he sold the old 
homestead for §12 per acre and purchased another 
farm. The Missouri homestead had been blessed 
with the presence of eleven bright and merry chil- 
dren. The sons and daughters who clustered 
about the family hearth, a happy band, were: 
William, the eldest-born, deceased; James C; 
Sarah; Lewis; Nancy; Stacey; Elizabeth; Mis- 
souri, deceased; Stephen, our subject; Thomas H.; 
and John. The surviving children, with the ex- 
ception of Stephen and John, are now all residents 
of California. Stephen McCoUum was reared to 
habits of industry and thrift, and enjoj-ed the 
limited advantages for an education which the 
early days in Missouri afforded the farmer boys, 
who were frequently obliged to go miles to the 
little subscription schools, which were sparsely 
scattered throughout the State. 

With his other brothers our subject was trained 
in the dail^' round of agricultural duties upon the 
home farm, and from his early childhood has con- 
tinued in the same employment, farming being the 
business of his life. His valuable homestead of 
forty acres, pleasantly located upon section 3, 
township 55, range 17, is finely improved and 
brought up to a high state of cultivation, and an- 
nually yields excellent returns for the labor ex- 
pended in the tilling of the soil. In the year 
1850, Mr. McCollum was united in marriage with 
Miss Nancy E. Rice, born in Randolph County, 
Mo., In the year 1832. Of our subject's children, 
David F. is the eldest-born; Missouri A. was the 
first daughter; then followed George W.; Eliza- 
beth J.; John, deceased; Stephen B., his father's 
namesake; Luella, Susan, Alfred, Thomas, Giles 
and Emma. The family, almost an unbroken 
band, are all residents of their native State and 
occupy positions of usefulness, enjoying the regard 
and confidence of their friends and neighbors. 
Mr. JMcCollum votes the Democratic ticket, l)ut al- 



though deeply interested in local and national af- 
fairs has never aspired to political promotion. As 
a member of the Scliool l?oard, he did excellent 
service in behalf of education. Our subject is a 
member of the Farmers' Alliance and an ardent 
advocate of progress and reform. During the 
Civil War he served eight months in tlie Confed- 
erate army under Col. Cercy, and actively par- 
ticipated in numerous engagements and skirmishes. 
With the exception of that troublous period of 
civil dissension, Mr. McCollum has devoted himself 
to the duties of agriculture, and has remained con- 
stantly within the boundaries of Chariton County, 
where he has ever been numbered among the most 
higiily respected of its pioneer citizens. 






i^^Vij I^YSSES MONTGOMERY, M. D., is one of 
((( J *'^® leading physicians and surgeons of 
^^l\ Carroll County, and makes Hale his place 
of residence. He is of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and 
is a son of Dr. W. B. and Louisa (Page) Montgom- 
ery, who were both natives of Kentucky. He 
was born in Adair County, of that State, on the 
31st of March, 1847, and was the eldest son in a 
family of five children. His earl}- education was 
obtained in the common schools, and his choice of 
a profession was largely influenced by his father. 
AVhen quite a lad he commenced reading medicine 
with the latter, and at the same time studied the 
classics under John O. Tollow. At the age of 
twenty-one years he entered the medical depart- 
ment of the university in Louisville, where he 
pursued a course of lectures for two 3'ears, being 
graduated from that institution in 1873. He at 
once commenced practice in Green County, Ky., 
where he remained for ten years. 

Dr. Montgomery has alwaj's endeavored to keep 
thoroughly abreast with the constant discoveries in 
the line of medicine and surgery, and in the win- 
ter of 1883-84 with great benefit pursued a post- 
graduate course in the medical college in New 
York City. In the spring of 1884 he concluded 
he would try his fortune further West, and 
finally settled upon Hale as the scene of his fu- 



544 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ture labors. His large general practice is an evi- 
dence of the wisdom of his selection. 

Before leaving his native State, Dr. Montgom- 
ery- took for his bride Miss Eliza M. Cornelison, 
who was born in that State. Their married life, 
though happjf, was brief, as the wife was called 
from this life in 18g4. In 1885 Dr. Montgomery 
married Miss Floi-ence Morman, who was also 
born in the Blue Grass State, and who was a 
daughter of C. R. Morman. To our wortli}' sub- 
ject and wife have been born two daughters, Eliza 
E. and Artelia Louise. 

The Doctor is a member of Hale Lodge No. 184, 
A. F. <fe A. M.. and in his political affiliations is a 
supporter of the Democracy. His estimable wife 
is a valued member of the Baptist Church, and 
both she and her husband are very popular in tlie 
social circles of this vicinit}'. 



'^AMES E. BALL. The law partnership of 

j I our subject and John R. Hamilton has 

proved a wise and judicious step, the qual- 

ities of each combining to give a legal 

strength that is recognized in the community. 
Mr. Ball, the senior member, was born in Carroll 
Count}-, Mo., September 9, 185fi, being the son of 
Francis Marion and Sophia K. (Lynch) Ball. The 
father was a native of Ray County, Mo., born 
August 2, 1828, and killed in the cyclone on June 
1, 1878. He was the son of James S. Ball, who 
w.as one of tlie first settlers of Ray County, hav- 
ing come here when there were but five families 
in the entire county. His family was from Vir- 
ginia, of English stock. The mother of our sub- 
ject was the daughter of James II. Lj-nch, who 
was from Kentuekj% of Irish descent. 

Our subject began reading law in 1.S7.'5, in the 
office of John AV. Shotwell, and was admitted to 
the Bar in June, 1875, at Richmond, Mo. He 
then began the practice of his profession at Rich- 
mond, and in 1876 formed a partnership with his 
preceptor, John W. Sliotwell, which continued un- 
til Mr. Ball was elected Prosecuting Attorney in 



1882. This responsible position he held for three 
successive terms, but positively declined to serve 
longer. The office of City Attorney was held by 
him from 1876 to 1878. At the expiration of his 
service as Prosecuting Attorney, he formed a 
partnership with Mr. Hamilton, under the firm 
name of Ball & Hamilton, and they are now con- 
ducting a prosperous legal business. 

In 1877 Mr. Ball married Miss Lizzie Shotwell, 
who was born in La Fayette County, Mo., and is a 
daughter of J. E. Shotwell. Their union has been 
blessed by the birth of five children. Theyhave 
a comfortable home on Lexington Street, in Rich- 
mond. Mr. and Mrs. Ball are members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church South. Socially, Mr. 
Ball is a member of Richmond Lodge No. 57, A. 
F. & A. M., and Cyrus Chapter No. 37, R. A. M. 
He is fortunate in having hosts of attached friends, 
who not only admire him as a man, but also have 
confidence in his ability and decision as a lawyer. 
Altliough still a young man, he has had a wide 
experience, which is of great value to him in his 
profession and in his general dealings witli iiis fel- 
low-men. 



14+^ 



.ia_ 



WILLIAM R. GUTHRIDGE, a prosperous 
and leading citizen of Chariton County, 
Mo., successfully conducts a general store, 
which he has owned in Guthridge Mills since tlie 
spring of 1892. An energetic, able and Industri- 
ous business man, widely known and highly re- 
spected, he has been a resident of his valuable 
homestead, located upon section 31, township 55, 
range 18, for some years and, a thoroughly efficient 
agriculturist, he' has brought his farm to a high 
state of cultivation and improved it with sub- 
stantial and commodious buildings. Our subject 
is a native of Chariton County, Mo., and was born 
April 16, 1866. Comparatively young in years, 
Mr. Guthridge has already won a position of in- 
fluence in his home community and raniis among 
the substantial citizens of the county. 

Tlie fatlicr of our subject was born and reared 
in the Old Dominion. \'irginia beins; the long- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



545 



time home of the paternal grand parents, who there 
enj03'e(l the esteem and confidence of a hirge cir- 
cle of friends and neighbors. Father Guthridge 
came to Missouri in the very early days of 1831, 
and locating in Chariton County, has during his 
life of busy usefulness ever shown himself an en- 
terprising man of more than ordinary ability and 
deepl3^ interested in the progress and upward 
growth of his locality. Undergoing the privations 
and experiences of pioneer life, he entered with 
courageous determination into the advancement 
of the best interests of his neighborhood, and earl}' 
erected mills, which, known as Guthridge Mills, 
gave the name to the village where he still act- 
ively continues in business, running the mill as in 
daj's of long ago. 

William R. was educated in the district schools 
of Chariton County, as was his brother, also a res- 
ident of the same county. Our subject made his 
home with his parents until he was about twentj'- 
two years of age, when he began life for himself 
upon one hundred and twenty-five acres of wild 
land, the gift of his father. From early youth ac- 
customed to assist in the daily round of agricultural 
duties upon the old homestead where he was reared, 
he engaged successfully in transforming his new 
possession into one of the most attractive farms in 
the county. Mr. Guthridge was united in mar- 
iage, October 5, 1892, to Miss Ruble Cavanaugh, 
one of the most estimable young ladies of Chariton 
County. Mrs. Guthridge is a native of Chariton 
County and a daughter of Reuben Cavanaugh, one 
of the pioneer settlers in this part of the State. 
An energetic and excellent business man, he ac- 
quired a large property and was an extensive land- 
holder. He passed awaj- deeply regretted, upon 
November 2, 1892. 

The mother of Mrs. Guthridge was Miss Mary 
K. Carlisle. She became the mother of six children, 
two sons and four daughters, all now residing in 
Chariton County. Maggie is now Mrs. James 
Stephens; William Franklin is manied; Edward C. 
IS also married; Mattie and Ada are both single 
and live at home; Ruble is the wife of our subject. 
Fraternally, Mr. Guthridge affiliates with the An- 
cient Free it Aecei)ted Masons, of wliieh society 
he is au iumored member. Politically. <>iir subject. 



although not an office-seeker or politician in the 
common acceptation of the term, takes an abiding 
interest in the issues of both local and national af- 
fairs and with earnest purpose does his full duty 
as a true American citizen, voting the Democratic 
ticket. 






I OHN P. LOGAN. M. D., for nearly twenty 
I _years has been engaged in the practice of 
his profession in DeAVitt, Carroll County. 
His father, James S. Logan, a native of 
Ireland, was also a ph3'Sician and surgeon, and 
had a large share in directing and educating our 
subject for the career of a physician. He met and 
married in Missouri Miss Nancy C. Davis, a native 
of this State, and of their union was born four 
children, of whom our subject was the second in 
order of birth. 

The Doctor was reared to manhood and received 
his education in the public schools of Carroll 
County. He read medicine with his father, and 
upon reaching mature years entered the Missouri 
State Medical College, which is located at St. 
Louis. Soon after his graduation he began prac- 
tice at DeWitt, which has since been the field of 
his labors, and where he has built up a large and 
increasing practice both in the village and in the 
surrounding country. 

In 1888 Dr. Logan was elected Coroner of Car- 
roll County on the Republican ticket, serving in 
that capacitj' for two years to the satisfaction of 
his fellow-citizens. He is a member of DeWitt 
Lodge No. 39, A. F. & A. M., and holds member- 
ship with the Independent Order of 0<ld Fellows. 
Since becoming a voter, Dr. Logan has been a 
loyal Republican. He is a full cousin of the late 
Gen. John A. Logan, of Illinois. 

An important event in the history of Dr. Logan 
took place on June 28, 1877, at which time Miss 
Rush Carle became his wife and the sliarer of his 
J03'S and sorrows. Mrs. Logan is a daughtci- «( 
Karron Carle, whose home is in Can.ada. .\ 
daughter, Houlali, has l)eon born to llicm, who is a 



546 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



bright and promising young lady. The family 
are attendants and members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church South, and are well and favor- 
ably known in this communitv- 



P/RANCIS M. WELCH, residing upon sec- 
f tion 22, township 55, range 18, Chariton 
County, is a jtrosperous agriculturist and 
efficient business man. lie possesses the confidence 
of his friends and neighbors and has held many 
important official positions. As Township Trustee, 
he did excellent service for his locality during 
four years, and as a member of the School Board 
ably assisted in raising the standard of scholarship 
and instruction. An energetic and self-reliant 
man, he has unaided won his way upward and now 
enjoys a comfortable competence as the reward of 
many self-denying years of toil. Our subject is a 
native Missourian, and was born in Muscle Fork 
Township, Chariton Count}', January 1, 1836, and 
has spent his entire life in the place of his birth. 
John Welch, the father of Francis M., was born 
in Pennsylvania in 1791. After a time he made 
his home in Virginia, and later removed to Ken- 
tucky, whence he came to Missouri in 1832, re- 
maining for two years in Howard County. He 
finally settled in Chariton County, where he died 
many years later, passing awa}' in 1876. In Ken- 
tucky, in 1815, he married Miss Matilda M. Cock- 
erill. He served bravely ui the War of 1812. Of 
his family of fourteen children we note the fol- 
lowing: James M., John C, Flora P. and Thomas 
S. are deceased; Frances resides in Oregon; 
Solomon D. is deceased; Nancy is living; Joseph 
and William have passed from earth; George W. 
survives; Andrew J. is deceased; Edward B. and 
Benjamin F. are both living. Our subject received 
his education in the schools of the early days and, 
having attained manhood, entered into matri- 
monial bonds December 8, 1859, wedding Miss 
Rebecca Parks, also a native of Chariton Count}', 
and born June 2, 1840. 

Unto o\ir subject and his wife were born two | 



children, both sons. Napoleon B. lives upon a 
farm but two miles east of his father's homestead. 
He married Miss Kate N. Mott, and their pleasant 
home has been blessed by the birth of three chil- 
dren, Francis S., Susan F. and an infant. John, 
the second son, resides at home with his parents. 
His wife, with whom he was united March 27, 
1889, was Miss Ella Hainds. When Francis M. 
Welch married, his capital in life was a sturdj' 
heart and a willing pair of hands; property he had 
none. Starting out for himself the first j'ear after 
his marriage, he had but one barrel of corn for his 
family, and one mule, and from spring to fall it 
required excellent management and hard work to 
carry them through the summer season. About 
that time our subject was taken sick, and was ill 
for six months, and dark then seemed the future 
prospects; but he recovered and brighter days were 
in store. The first laud ever owned by Mr. Welch 
he bought from his father, paying him therefor 15 
per acre for an eighty-acre tract. 

Upon this modest purchase, our subject pro- 
ceeded to build a little frame house, containing 
one room, which is now used for a smoke-house. 
For a full score of years, from 1860 to 1880, Mr. 
Welch and his family continued to reside in this 
humble home, when he built an addition. A com- 
fortable and commodious story and a-half house is 
now the family residence, and an excellent barn 
and good outbuildings attest the prosperity of the 
owner of the premises. Our subject owns three 
hundred and sixty acres all in one body, and also 
has one hundred and twenty acres about two and 
a-half miles distant. Two hundred and forty acres 
of the homestead are under fine cultivation, and 
the remainder of the land is in pasture or wood- 
land. 

Progressing financiall}', Mr. Welch also became 
oue of the prominent men of the county, wielding 
strong influence in the town meetings and at the 
meetings of the School Board, of which he was so 
efficient a member for a long term of years. He 
votes the Democratic ticket and is a valued mem- 
ber of the Farmers' Alliance. Many seasons have 
come and gone since, in Howard County, when our 
subject was a boy, his father was obliged to ride 
thirty miles to a small mill,— the nearest and larg- 




"^'wl^^ ^ 



^ ^f 



;iLSlDL; ICL or a . LUZAD DEIR, SEC.a5. T. 51 . R. 29. f?AY CO. MO. 




RESIDENCE or F. t/. . W ELCH j S EC &.t J ou. r"? . ,a . 0. ..-^.r.MwN CC . MO 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



549 



est in tlie localitj-. Vivid are the recollections of 
Mr. Wflcli of the days when he could shoot two 
or three deer almost any hour without going be- 
yond the boundaries of the farm, and many times 
bagged his game from the very doorstep of the old 
home. With the vanishing of the scenes of earlj' 
days, abundant prosperity lias come to him, and in 
the evening of his career he can look with pleasure 
upon the accomplishment of the day-dreams of his 
chiUlhood and rejoice in a life worthily spent. 



PANIEL TAYLOR formerly made his home 
; on section 3.5, township 51, range 29, Ray 
Count}', and until his death was closelj' con- 
nected with the best interests of the community. 
His birth occurred September 10, 1802, in Pitt- 
sylvania County, Va. His father, Obadiah, was 
likewise a native of the Old Dominion and was 
reared on a large plantation, the work of which 
was done b}- slaves. He married Miss Poll}' Choice, 
a member of an old Virginian family, and to them 
weie born seven children, four boys and three 
girls, of whom our subject was the third in order 
of birth. He was reared to manhood in the fashion 
of all Virginia lads, living on the old homestead 
until arriving at his majority. He married Cindy 
Shackelford and settled on a tract of land of his 
own. 

At the expiration of a few years Mr. Taylor, 
with his famil}', removed to Missouri and made 
a settlement in Ray County, purchasing a farm, 
where he resided until his death. To himself and 
wife were born six sons, two of whom were born 
on the old homestead. Daniel, the third in order 
of birth, is now living in Kuoxville, Kay County; 
and the fifth son, .James, makes his home in Rich- 
mond, this count}'. The other children are de- 
ceased. The wife and mother was called from 
this life in August, 1832, leaving lier husband 
with his six children on their new farm in the 
wilderness of the West. He found a helpmate in 
the person of Miss Hannah, daughter of Elijah 
and Elizabeth Creason, their marriage being cele- 



brated December 28, 1837. She was one of eleven 
children, of whom three are now living. 

To Daniel and Hannah Taylor were born eleven 
children, of whom one died in infancy and four af- 
ter reaching mature years. Mumford is a merchant 
in Orrick; Mary E., who is the widow of William 
Schooley, resides in Ray County; Lydia F. became 
the wife of Wesley Watkins, of this township; 
Louisa married James Blaine, of this county; 
Susan is now Mrs. John Paxton, of Ray County; 
and Jasper is a resident of Washington. Their 
mother was bom in Boone County, Mo., and 
came with her parents when two years of age to 
this county. She is now sixty-six years of age and 
gifted with a wonderful memory. 

Mr. Ta}lor departed this life September 9, 1886, 
his burial taking place on the eighty -fourth anni- 
versary of his birth. He left many friends, who 
deeply lament the loss of so worthy a friend and 
neighbor. He was a stalwart Democrat all his 
life, but never courted official honors. In his re- 
ligious connection he was an active member of 
the Christian Church, and always ready to assist 
a neighbor or help the needy. He was a man 
who had the courage of his convictions and never 
feared to speak his sentiments, on account of 
which during the war his life was many times en- 
dangered. 

Mrs. Taylor remained a widow until November 
4, 1890, wlien she became the wife of Abraham 
Luzadder, whose birth occurred January 15, 1831, 
in Ohio. He was the fifth in a family of eight 
children born to Isaac and Deborah (Lawyer) Lu- 
zadder. He was reared on a farm and married 
at the age of twenty-six in Indiana, settling upon 
a farm near Indianapolis, where he engaged in 
agriculture for the following sixteen years. He 
enlisted in the Sixty-third Indiana Infantry, and 
during his service of three years participated in 
seventeen battles, among which we might men- 
tion those of Lost Mountain, Atlanta and Look- 
out Mountain. Fortunately he never received a 
wound, and in 1865 was honorably discharged. 
He emigrated to the West in 1876. His wife 
died in Jackson County, Mo., September 4, 1889, 
leaving six children to mourn her loss. Four of 
these are married, and ail reside in Ray County. 



550 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRArHICAL RECORD. 



Mrs. Luzadder is a lad}' who has seen much 
of pioneer life, and is a woman of exceptional 
strength and endurance. She was truly an able 
assistant to her- husband in the early days of his 
early settlement in this locality. She helped him 
to pile brush and clear the land. Their meat was 
largely obtained through then- prowess in fishing 
and hunting, Mr. Taylor often going out before 
breakfast, and returning with a deer or wild tur- 
key for their meal. His wife was an expert in 
fishing, and when only twelve years old brought 
to land a catfish which weighed one hundred 
pounds. She sheared sheep and carded the wool, 
which she spun and wove into cloth. She has 
often carried a sack containing three bushels of 
dried apples for some distance, selling them to 
obtain groceries and supplies for home use. In 
the details of business affairs she has always dis- 
played good judgment and executive abilitj-. She 
is courteous to strangers, and is beloved by all 
her neio'libors. 



<^ 



^iEORGE ^ 
III ,— -, on sectio 
0( County, 



^^^EORGE W. BlIJCHETT, a farmer residing 
section 24, township 58, range 21, Linn 
makes a specialty of breeding 
Shorthorn cattle. His father, John Burchett, was 
a native of Virginia. Our subject was born in the 
year 1832, in Kentucky, in which State he passed 
his boyhood and youth. He removed in the 
spring of 1859 to Greene County, Mo., locating in 
Springfield, the county seat, where he engaged in 
freighting merchandise, and also operated a farm 
in the vicinity for two years. Next, going to 
Hope County, Mo., he farmed there for a time, 
after which he engaged in the distillery business 
for a period of three years in Andrew County. 
Thence he removed to Carroll County, where he 
eno-aged in farming for a short time, afterward 
being employed in the same occupation in Phelps 
County for a year. He engaged in fanning and 
breaking prairie in Clinton Count}- and improved 
a good farm in Grundy Count}' some years latei-. 
Selling this property, he permanently located in 
Linn Comity on the ti'act wliich is still liis lioiiie. 



After making a fair trial of a number of counties 
in this State, he has concluded that for agricultural 
purposes this is the best portion of the State. 

Before leaving his native State, Kentucky, Mr. 
Burchett married Miss Nancy Ann Hyden, whose 
father was a native of Tennessee. He was a farmer 
by occujiation in Kentucky and afterward became 
a resident of Illinois and Arkansas. Mr. and Mrs. 
Burchett have had a family of seven sons: Richard 
Dowell; Abram Sylvester, who is a farmer of this 
county; Jacob, who follows the same calling in 
Illinois; George, a farmer of Linn County; Tildeu, 
Benjamin, and Bee, who is engaged in agricul- 
tural pursuits at home. Mr. Burchett is a Demo- 
crat in his political faith and is numbered among 
the progressive farmers of this region. 



■■ ^=:=s| g 



EVAN D. GREEN is the editor of the popu- 
lar and ably conducted Hale City Times. 
He was born in DeWitt County, 111., in 
1854, and is a son of George W. Green, who is a 
native of Ohio. His mother bore the maiden 
name of Mary S. Woodward, and claims West Vir- 
ginia as her birthplace. By her marriage she be- 
came the mother of twelve children, of whom our 
subject is the fifth in order of birth. 

At the early age of two years he removed with 
his parents to Missouri, which State has since been 
his home. They first settled in Chillicothe, where 
he acquired his early education in the public 
schools. After arriving at his majority, Mr. Green 
entered Columbia College, at Columbia, Mo., grad- 
uating therefrom as a civil engineer in 188(1. 
At this occupation he was engaged for the suc- 
ceeding four years, after which he taught .school 
until 1887. He next purchased the Hale City 
Times, which is politically an independent organ, 
and which occupies a desirable position among 
the papers of the county. For the past five years 
Mr. Green has made Hale his place of residence, 
and has devoted his energies entirely to conduct- 
ing and editing the paper. It is devoted to 
the welfare .'ind ('iilightonmenl of the pooijic. and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



551 



justly deserves the place it holds in Ihe esteem of 
the intelligent people of this section. 

In 188(i Mr. Green m.arried Miss Ida Day, a 
daughter of Don Daj', who was born in the Buck- 
eye Stale. Sir. Green is a member of Avalon 
Lodge No. 505, A. F. & A. M., and of Battsville 
Lodge No. 361, I. O. O. F. Politically, he is a 
member of the Populist jiarty, and is alive to the 
loading political and national subjects of impor- 
tance. 



"JI/OSEPII BRUCE, an energetic and success- 
ful agriculturist, whose homestead is lo- 
cated upon section 16, township 53, range 
32, Claj' County, came to his present resi- 
dence twenty-eight j'ears ago, and, buying the farm 
of one hundred and twenty acres, all unimproved 
with the exception of about fifteen acres, has 
transformed the uncultivated land into a profit- 
able harvest field, and now owns one of the finest 
pieces of farming property in his section of the 
State. Mr. Bruce has no remembrance of either 
of his parents, both his father and mother dying 
when he was a mere infant. Thomas and Poll,y 
Richardson took the helpless little babe and reared 
him through earl}' childhood. The Riehardsons 
lived upon a farm in the heavil}' timbered portion 
of Kentucky, and from his earlj' j'outh our sub- 
ject had to work both in the timber and in the 
oi)en fields. He remained with Mr. and Mrs. 
Richardson until a little more tlian ten years of 
age, when the family became involved in domes- 
tic trouble, and, husband and wife separating, 
.loseph Bruce was again thrown upon the mercies 
of the wide world. 

With his business abilities precociously devel- 
oped by the sad circumstances of his friendless 
life, our subject made arrangements with a neigh- 
l)oring farmer, who for his work would p.ny him 
^5 per month and his board. As he grew older 
he received more adequate compensation, and ar- 
rived at manhood a useful and intelligent citizen. 
In 1X47 he formed family ties, being then united 
in marriage with Miss Nancy Moore, a daugiiterof 



Thomas R. and .Jane (Pitman) Moore. The mother 
of Mrs. Bruce died when her daughter Nancy was 
about five years of age, and the father some time 
after married Mrs. Frances (Guthrie) Rains, whose 
first husband was Mr. Swan. Immediately suc- 
ceeding liis marriage Mr. Bruce rented a farm for 
one j'ear, and at the expiration of twelve months 
rented a farm in Buchanan County, Mo. After 
a sojourn there of two years he cultivated land in 
Platte Count}' for three 3'ears, and in 1865 came 
to Clay County and bouglit his present farm of 
one hundred and twent}' acres. 

Aside from the cultivation of the soil, our sub- 
ject has improved his propertj' with substantial 
buildings, a commodious residence, barn and out- 
houses. The pleasant and happy home has been 
brightened by the presence of eight children, as 
follows: E. K.; Margai'et, who married Henry 
Benson; Louisa, the wife of Albert Coleman; G. 
W.; Mar}', Mrs. Victor Morgan; Price, Mrs. James 
Kimberlin; Fannie, who married Alex Kiraberlin; 
and .Johanna, wife of AVilliam Iviraberlin. The 
brothers and sisters all occupy positions of influ- 
ence, and are among the useful and honored citi- 
zens of the State. ISIr. Bruce is a member of the 
Christian Church, while his wife is a communicant 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Both are ever 
ready to aid in the good work of either religious 
organization. Politically, our subject is an active 
Democrat, and is deeply interested in local and 
national ffovernment. 



^^>^<m 



^\ I NOR J. RUCKER, M. D., has been engaged 
in the practice of his profession in Keytes- 
ville for over forty years. He was born 
in Greene County, Va., on January 5, 
1829. His father. Minor Rucker, was a pioneer 
in that State and was engaged in agricultural pur- 
suits. He was reared and educated in Virginia and 
was there united in marriage with Miss Harriet 
Head. In 1837 he removed to Randolph County, 
Mo., where he purchased land and resided until his 
deatli, in 1868, when he had reached the advanced 
age of eighty years. His wife departed this life 



552 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



in 1840, leaving seven children, of whom five are 
now living: Joel is engaged in farming in Ran- 
dolph County; our subject is next in order of 
birth; John is a farmer in Indian Territorj'; 
James is a resident of Randolph County, as is also 
Martha, the only sister, who is the wife of June 
Williams. 

Mr. Rucker, of this sketch, was nine years of 
age when he removed from the Old Dominion to 
Randolph County, Mo. He received his education 
in the common schools and in the Lost Cedar 
Academy. Concluding to make a study of medi- 
cine, he took a course of instruction under Drs. 
Grisward & Blakey, at Huntsville. He then en- 
tered the University at Louisville, Ky., where he 
continued the stud}- of medicine, graduating from 
that institution in 1849. Returning to Huntsville, 
he engaged in practice for a few months, but in 

1850 crossed the plains to California, where he 
found ample occasion for his medical services. In 

1851 he returned to Missouri, and in the follow- 
ing year finally located at Keytesvillc. 

The Doctor raised a company in this locality 
during the late war, of which he was made Captain. 
At the battle of Carthage he turned his command 
of twenty-flve men over to Capt. Martin, and took 
the position of Assistant Surgeon of Burbridge's 
regiment, which office he held until his return 
home after the battle of Lexington. In 1864 he 
went to Carrollton, 111., where he practiced medi- 
cine for one .year, returning toKeytesville in 1865. 
With that exception he has been continuously en- 
gaged in practice at this point for forty-one years. 

In 1857 Dr. Rucker and Miss Narcissa Givens 
were united in marriage. She is a daughter of 
William Givens, a leading farmer of Chariton 
County. To the Doctor and his wife were born 
six children, who were as follows: William; Jack- 
son, who is a resident of Keytesville; Walter, who 
is a tailor b}' trade; Annie, and Nina, who reside 
with their parents; and Harry, whose death oc- 
curred at the age of sixteen years. The family 
are attendants at the Presbyterian Church, of 
which Dr. Rucker is one of the Elders. He 
is much interested in the Masonic fraternity, 
belonging to the Ancient Free & Accepted Ma- 
sons. He casts his liallot for the nominees and 



principles of the Democratic party. Dr. Rucker 
is a member of the Missouri State Medical As- 
sociation, the Chariton County Medical Society 
and the Moberly District Society, attending their 
meetings and sessions regularly. He is resolved 
to keep in touch with the latest results of scien- 
tific research and all progressive ideas in relation 
to the treatment and prevention of disease, and to 
that end is a constant student of the best medical 
treatises and reviews. 



ri[_^ ENRY BUCKSATH, an enterprising agri- 
lifjj^ culturist of Chariton County, is one of the 
/4v^^ prominent Republicans of this part of Mis- 
^W^ souri and is highly esteemed by the general 
public as a citizen of intelligence and upright char- 
acter. His fine farm of two hundred and twentj'- 
four acres is located upon section 25, township 53, 
range 19, and aside from this homestead, Mr. 
Bucksath also owns three hundred and sixty 
acres in township 52. Two hundred acres of the 
home faim are under a high state of improvement, 
and the remainder of the land is devoted to past- 
urage or is woodland. Our subject was born in 
Prussia in 1821, and received an excellent educa- 
tion in his native land. 

The parents of our subject, William and Henri- 
etta (Ruschhaupt) Bucksath, were Germans and 
were descended from a long line of German ances- 
try. Their union was blessed by the birth of seven 
children, of whom Henry was the eldest. The 
others are Katherine, Frederick, William, John, 
Maurice and Louisa. ' At the age of sixteen our 
subject emigrated to America, and landed in New 
Orleans. From there he proceeded to Indianapolis, 
Ind., in the year 1837, and made his home in that 
State until 1844, when he located in Chariton 
County, Mo., buying his homestead and entering 
with energ}^ into the duties of general agriculture. 
His capital was exhausted by the purchase of his 
land, but with thrifty management and incessant 
application to the tilling of the soil lie was enabled 
to meet every obligation with promptness. 

In 1 S tS oui-siiliject was united in marriage with 



rORTUAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



553 



Miss Sophia Stiman, who was also a native of 
Germany, but at the time of her marriage a resi- 
dent of Chaiiton County. Mr. and Mrs. Bucksath 
arc the parents of eight children: William; Ed- 
ward; Mary, deceased; Ilenrj-; Amelia, Mrs. AVill- 
iam Sasse; John; George; and Lena, Mrs. William 
Bitter. The sons and daughters occupy positions 
of usefulness and enjoj' the esteem of all who 
know them. From 1864 to 1865, Mr. Bucksath 
was Captain of the enrolled militia and was faith- 
ful and etiicieut in the discharge of the duties en- 
trusted to his care. In 1866 he was the unanimous 
choice of the Republican party of Chariton County 
for State Legislator, but was defeated by the 
strength of the Democratic vote. In 1890 he was 
nominated for County Treasurer, but the Demo- 
crats are strong in this district, and were again 
triumphant. 

For a term of eight months, in 1862, Mr. Buck- 
sath served as Orderly-Sergeant during the Civil 
IVar and then returned to his home. He and his 
family are devoted members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church and .active in the good works 
and benevolent enterprises of that religious organ- 
ization. Ever since his arrival within the borders 
of Missouri he has taken a lively interest in the 
management of the local and national affairs of 
his adopted country, and is an ardent advocate of 
the principles and platform of the Republican 
part)-. Mr. Bucksath owns property valued at $6,000 
in Kansas City, Mo., and is well to do. For his 
native ability, general efficiency and high standard 
of principle he is respected by the people of the 
vicinity. Aitliough never forgetful of tlie home 
of his childhood, and remembering always the 
Fatherland across the sea, he is, and long has been, 
a true and patriotic American citizen. 



,EV. .JOSEPH II. FOY, D. D., LL. D., Super- 
intendent of Salisbury Academy, of Sali,s- 
ifcW bury, Chariton County, Mo., is a native of 

g) North Carolina. He was born September 
12, 1838, near Wilmington, the principal city of. 
that State. He received as a boy and young man 



the best educational advantages afforded by his 
State, then as now noted for the superior excel- 
lence of its private schools, seminaries and col- 
leges. He was prepared for college at Scott's Hill 
Academy and subsequently attended, in the order 
mentioned, Davidson College and the University 
of North Carolina. He entered the service of the 
Confederacy, but was twice discharged because of 
physical disability, a severe att.ack of acute hepa- 
titis having utterly unfitted him for the exposure 
of camp life. He studied law while at the univer- 
sity and was licensed to practice, but abandoned 
the profession, after a short but successful trial, for 
the more congenial pursuit of teaching. 

Dr. Foy was associated in 186.') with the cele- 
brated D. S. Richardson in the Wilson Schools. 
In 1867 he removed to Stantonsburg, N. C, and 
established the Stantonsburg Classical and Scien- 
tific Institute, which flourished greatly under his 
management for several years. Many of the men 
of middle age now prominent in journalism, med- 
icine and law in North Carolina were his pupils 
and received the inspiring impulses of their lives 
under his care. In 1872 he removed to Kinston, 
N. C, and founded the Collegiate Institute. This 
school became in a short time so widely known 
and so well patronized that drumming and adver- 
tising were entirely unnecessaiy as devices to pre- 
serve its complement of students. It was from its 
second year always full to overflowing. After 
several years spent usefully and profitably in Kin- 
ston, Dr. Foy accepted a call to the senior Princi- 
palship of the Wilson Female College, a school 
founded by the Rev. Dr. Deems, now pastor of the 
Church of the Strangers in New York City. From 
this honorable post he was called early in 1878 to 
the pastorate of the Central Christian Church of 
St. Louis Mo. He resigned the charge in 1884 and 
has since filled prominent pulpits as pastor in 
Omaha, Neb., Norfolk, Va., and Columbia, Mo. 

While in St. Louis our subject sprang at once 
into public notice and w.as regarded b^' the press 
and the people as one of the leading divines 
of that city. He received and declined during 
his pastorate there calls from Chicago, Denver, 
Cincinnati and other leading cities. From Col- 
umbia he removed to Salisbui-y, Mo., with the in- 



554 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tention of devoting the I'emaindev of his days to 
tlie calling most congenial to his taste. 

Opening the academy in the fall of 1891 with 
an enrollment of sixty pupils, Dr. Foy mati-icu- 
lated during the initial year of the institution one 
hundred and thirty-four students, of whom fortj'- 
live were cadets in the military department; and 
the opening of the second year has borne flatter- 
ing testimony to the excellence of the instruction 
received in the institution b}'' a marked increase 
of attendance. The matriculation of the second 
year bids fair to approximate two hundred, at a 
similar rate of increase. 

The academic staff, comprising seven teachers, is 
not excelled in enthusiasm or intellectual ecpiip- 
ment by any institution of a like grade in the 
State. The school is publicly approved by the 
State University, and its reputation for solid work 
and strict but kindly discipline is co-extensive 
with the State. The academic curriculum is di- 
vided into departments, each under the direction 
of a teacher carefully selected with reference to 
native talent, scholarly attainments and teaching 
tact. All of them are graduates from institutions 
of high standing and most of them wear the first 
honors of their respective "fostering mothers." 

The academy is architecturally an ornament to 
the town of Salisbury, and since the completion 
of the elegant addition erected in the summer 
and fall of 1892 is inferior to no school building 
in Northern Missouri. To return again to the 
able founder of this institution: Dr. F03' has occu- 
pied a prominent position in the ministry of his 
church as well as in the educational world. He is 
a profound scholar, whose study and research 
cover a large field. In 1881, the University of 
his native State conferred upon him, "in recogni- 
tion of his learning and usefulness," the degree of 
Doctor of Divinity, and in 1884 the University of 
Mississippi made hira a Doctor of Laws. He is a 
man of apparentl3' delicate ph3'sique but of tough 
and wiry constitution, or he could never have un- 
dergone the labors incident to his various pastor- 
ates in our great cities. 

Our subject is beloved by his pu]jils and leaves 
in a Largo measure the task of bringing in recruits 
to their enthusiastic fidelity and partiality. Ih^ is 



a married man with two children, both daughters, 
one a physician of note in St. Louis, and the other 
a promising student of elocution in Columbia, 
Mo. Dr. Maude M. Foy, the eldest daughter, is 
proprietor and superintendent of the Mechanico- 
Therapeutic Zander Institute, of St. Louis. She is 
also Professor of Gynecology in the AVomeu's Med- 
ical College, regular, of the same cit}'. She was 
graduated from the University of Buffalo several 
years ago with first distinction. 

Mrs. Foy was Miss Kate Battle, of Wilson, N. C, 
a daughter of the Rev. Amos .7. Battle, a distin- 
guished preacher of the Christian Church. Dr. 
Foy has been editor, teacher, lawyer and minister, 
and easily won distinction in each and every pur- 
suit. He is not only a fine classical scholar, hut 
speaks like a native several modern languages. 
He has contributed liberally to the press of his 
church and has published several little books 
which have had a wide circulation. Among them 
the "Christian Worker," a volume of one hundrecf 
and eighty-nine pages, is perhaps the best known. 
He expects to publish in the near future one or 
two volumes embracing his best sermons and lec- 
tures to meet the requests of numerous friends in 
his various flocks. 



,ip^ IMEON II. DOWELL, a representative 
^^^ general agriculturist and stock-raiser, lo- 
'\[ff__m cated upon section 5, township 55, I'ange 
18, owns a valuable homestead of eighty 
acres of excellent land, all under a high state of 
improvement, and has been numbered among the 
aljle and energetic citizens of Chariton Count}', 
Mo., for many years. Born in the State of Ken- 
tucky, upon April 30, 1843, he was the son of 
William H. and Nancy (Dowell) Dowell, both 
native Kentuckians. The paternal grandfather, 
George Dowell, was the descendant of an old \'ir- 
ginia family, and was born in the Old Dominion, 
there reared, and having attained manhood re- 
moved to Kentucky, marrying a native of the 
State, Miss Polly Wriinp. Tiie malernjil grand- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



555 



father, Col. James Dowell, was a native of Ken- 
lueky, and married Barbara Scliacblett, also born 
witliin the State. 

The Virginia and Kentucky Dowells early took 
a i)rominent place in the iiistory of our country, 
and have ever been accounted among the substan- 
tial, law-abiding and honored citizens of the United 
States. William II. Dowell, the father of our sub- 
ject, was born upon the 11th of May, 1816, his 
wife, Nancy Dowell, one year his junior, having 
been born January 15, 1817. Simeon H. Dowell 
left his native State in 1847, and locating in Liv- 
ingston County, Mo., passed six years in this por- 
tion of the State. His next home was in Chariton 
County, which was destined to become his perma- 
nent residence, and the abiding-place of a large 
family of descendants. Investing his capital in 
his present farm, he has devoted himself to its 
culture and has made his homestead annually yield 
him an excellent harvest. Mostly engaging in the 
duties of general agriculture, and successful in 
his avocation as a tiller of the soil, our subject 
also profitably handles a good grade of live stock. 

In 1864 Mr. Dowell was united in marriage with 
Miss Rebecca J. Ilnyden, daughter of Daniel and 
Polly (Walker) Ilayden, long-time residents of 
Kentucky, in which State Mrs. Dowell was born. 
The pleasant home of our subject and his estima- 
ble wife was brightened by the birth of a famil}' 
of eight intelligent children, three sons and five 
daughters: Lulla, dece.ased, was the eldest-born; 
Lee, the first 3on, is also deceased; Minnie E. and 
George O. are surviving; Mamie S. has passed 
away; Barbara ¥j. Emma and William H. are the 
three youngest and still survive to cheer the hearts 
of their parents. Our subject and his family are 
members of the Baptist Church and prominentl_y 
connected with the social and benevolent interests 
of that religious denomination. Widely known 
and highly respected, Mr. and Mrs. Dowell and 
their entire family hold a position of influence in 
the community and have a large circle of friends 
and acquaintances. Fraternally, our subject is a 
member of the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, 
and has long been associated with that honored 
order. An active f.actor in behalf of educational 
advancement, our subject has for three years been 



a valued member of the School Board and mate- 
rially assisted in the upward progress of the neigh- 
boring schools of the home locality. Progressive 
and public-spirited, he is ever ready to do his full 
share in the extension of local improvements, and 
a substantial man of earnest purpose, gives ready 
aid in the establishment of worthy enterprises. A 
kind friend and neighbor, he has dwelt among the 
acquaintance of many .years, respected and hon- 
ored for his true worth and sterling integrity of 
character. 



^ IfelLLIAM W. ESTES, an enterprising and 
\^/l successful agric;dturist, and native-born 
\^^ Missourian, resides upon section 5, town- 
ship 50, range 31, Liberty Township, Clay County, 
and after years of energetic toil enjoys the fruits 
of his honest labor among the friends of a life- 
time. The Estes are an old Virginian family, 
widely known and highly esteemed. Thomsis Estes, 
the father of our subject, was born in Virginia in 
1790, and'was reared in the Old Dominion. Mar- 
rying in 1819, he journeyed to the Territory of 
Missouri in the same year, finally locating in Clay 
County in 1821. Prospered in his new home, this 
pioneer settler amassed a competence and became 
an extensive land-holder, at one time ownin<>- 
twelve hundred acres of valuable real-estate. 

Thoroughly understanding the cultivation of 
the soil, Thomas Estes was also a successful stock- 
raiser, his herds being numbered among the best in 
his portion of the State. He and his good wife 
were both Baptists, and earnest Christian people. 
William W. was the eldest in their family of six 
children, and came into the home in 1821. 

The first wife of Thomas Estes did not Ion"' 
survive her marriage, but passed awa^- when her 
son William was a very young child. The sec- 
ond wife, Anna (Edwards) Estes, bore her hus- 
band four children, and, a most estimable lady, 
died in 1856. Our subject and Marien, by the sec- 
ond marriage, are the only representatives of the 
happy family who once clustered around the fam- 
ily table, Marien lives in New Mexico. 



556 



PORTKAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, 



William Estes is a native of Saline County, and 
was brought to Clay County by his parents when 
only six weeks old. He enjoyed the limited ad- 
vantages of the little schools of those primitive 
days, and was early trained in the work of agri- 
cultural life. When the gold excitement drew 
people by the thousands to California, he was 
among the '49ers, who, crossing the plains over 
land, reached their destination after weeks of 
wearisome travel. Our subject drove an ox-team 
through and made his trip a profitable one, own- 
ing a mine of his own and receiving excellent re- 
turns from the glittering ore. 

In 1852 Mr. Estes was united in marriage with 
Miss Catherine Lincoln, a lady of culture and 
worth. Mrs and Mrs. Estes iiad one child, a 
daughter, America, who was born in 1853. She 
is married to James Bevins and resides with her 
father, who lost his wife by death in 1880. Mrs. 
Bevins was the mother of five children, three of 
whom are living: Katie Carr. PlunvlS^and .Timmie 
Estes. Pearl May and William David are de- 
ceased. 

Our subject has for three-score years and ten 
been an eye-witness of the wonderful growth of 
his native State. Reai-ed amid pioneer scenes and 
experiences, he grew up energetic, earnest and 
self-reliant, and, always industrious, upright and 
honorable in the daily transactions of life, com- 
mands the respect and esteem of all the residents 
of his neighborhood and county. Never a poli- 
tician, he has always taken an active interest in 
all matters pertaining to local and national gov- 
ernment, and througliout the many years of his 
useful life h.as ever been a true American citizen, 
casting his vote witli the Democratic party. 



'S/ESSE CLEVENGER. This prominent citi- 
zen of Ray County is an excellent type of 
^^ the thrifty American farmer, whose con- 
(j^^ stanc}' to the business in hand, and whose 
energy, have so greatly enhanced the value of our 
agricultural regions. Mr, Clevenger has a magni- 



ficent farm of over one hundred and twenty acres, 
on which he has a substantial and modern resi- 
dence, well located and surrounded by a beautiful 
lawn. The appearance of the home is quite in 
harmony with the wa^' in which the farm in gen- 
eral is kept up, for every nook and cranny on the 
place is well looked after, and speaks in an elo- 
quent manner as to the thrift of the owner. 

Our subject was born November 9, 1827, on the 
farm on which he now resides. His father, Jesse 
Clevenger, was born in the Old Dominion, and 
from that State removed to Tennessee with his 
parents at the age of eight or nineyears. In 1823 
he became a resident of Missouri, and made his 
home in Saline County for a number of years. 
Upon selecting a companion in life, he chose Jane 
Morrison, of North Carolina, and their uni<jn re- 
sulted in the birth of eleven children, the imme- 
diate subject of this sketch being the 3'oungest 
member of the family, and he, with a brother who 
resided in Southern Kansas, and a sister, Jlrs. 
Elizabeth Freeling, of Cameron, Mo., are the only 
ones now living. 

At the time the familj' settled in Missouri, the 
farm on which they located, and which is now- 
owned by our subject, was in its primitive condi- 
tion, but with that courage which has ever been a 
characteristic of the pioneer, the father set to 
work to improve his land and eventually succeeded 
in carving out a home from the wilderness. He 
erected a small log cabin on the place, and in this 
rude structure our subject first saw the light. The 
father was a skillful and experienced hunter, and 
much of his leisure time was spent in following 
that pastime, he seldom returning home without a 
plentiful supply of game, which he had brouglit 
down with his trusty rifle. Owing to the fact that 
he was lame, he hunted principally on horseback, 
and became noted throughout that region as a 
Nimrod of no mean order. He was a soldier in 
the War of 1812. 

The second marriage of Jesse Clevenger, the fa- 
ther, took place on the 18th of June, 1837, Miss 
Ph(ebe Goode, daughter of Allen and Susanna 
(Lee) Goode, becoming his wife. She is related to 
the Lee family of Revolutionary fame and Gen. 
Robert E. Lee, of the Civil AVar, She is a Ken- 








''^ 







PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



559 



tiickian by birth, and is a lady of intelligence, 
<?ood judgment and refinement. She has borne 
iier husband a family of nine children, two of 
whom are deceased. Those living are: Melissa .!., 
Mrs. J.Allen; Rebecca, Mrs. Allison; Susanna, Mrs. 
Vance; William, Emma, Albert and Edmund. Al- 
len Goode has been a resident of Missouri from 
very earl}' times, and the greater part of his life 
has been spent in Raj' County. lie became the fa- 
ther of eleven children, three of whom are living 
at the present time, one son being a resident of 
Iowa, a daughter of California, and Mrs. Cleven- 
ger of Missouri. He has thirteen grandchildren. 

Although Mr. Clcveuger has always been a Dem- 
ocrat in politics, he is not an admirer of Grover 
Cleveland, and does not vote for him. Mr. Clev- 
cnger received but limited educational advantages 
in his youth, owing to the fact that schools were 
scarce and bis services were required on the farm, 
but he is now one of the intelligent men of the 
county, the school of experience taking the place 
of the public school advantages that should have 
been his in his boyhood. He is quite extensively 
engaged in the raising of stock, which he has 
found to be profitable, and considerable of his at- 
tention is ariven to raisins fruit. 



^.' OHN C. STICKLE. The drug store owned 
and conducted by Mr. Stickle is consid- 
ered one of the leading business establish- 
I ments of Orrick, and the calling which he 
follows is one of the most important and respon- 
sible of the man}' that contribute to swell the in- 
dustrial activities of any community. In connec- 
tion with successfully conducting this responsible 
position, he is the present public servant of Uncle 
Sam, the postofflce being located at his establish- 
ment and presided over by himself, with the effi- 
cient aid of his wife and daughters. 

Born in Colborne, Canada, on the 23d of Maj', 
1831. our subject is the son of Henry Stickle. 
The latter was born in Sidney, in what was 
then Upper Canada, in the year 1811, and in 
the place of his birth he followed the ti-.ade of a 

28 



carriage-builder, and became a highly respected 
citizen. He was an active member of the Masonic 
fraternity, and at the time of his death, which oc- 
curred at Cobourg, Canada, in 1882, he was a 
faithful member of the Presbyterian Church. He 
was one of ten children, seven boys and three 
girls, all of whom are deceased, with the excep- 
tion of Jeremiah, who has now almost reached the 
advanced age of one hundred years, and is a resi- 
dent of Ilaldiniand, Ontario. 

The wife of Henry Stickle was Miss Calista San- 
ford, who was born at New Haven, Conn., about 
1811 or 1812, and died at about the age of sixty- 
nine years. She had one sister and two brothers, 
who are dead, unless it be one brother who went 
to Florida when very young and has not been 
heard from since. The paternal great-grandfather 
of Mr. Stickle was born in Germany, and upon 
emigrating to America settled in the State of 
New York, where he became the owner of a large 
amount of land, as well as many slaves. He 
owned the tract of land upon which Trinity 
Church now stands, and also one hundred and 
twelve acres in what is now the business center of 
the city of Harlem. 

John C. Stickle remained with his parents until 
he was nineteen 3-ears of age, and completed his 
education at Victoria College, Cobourg, Canada, 
succeeding which he went to the Pacific Coast, 
where he remained for thirteen 3'ears, and fol- 
lowed various employments .as a means of liveli- 
hood. He married Miss Eliza McMurra}', who 
was born in Hull, Canada, in 1841. Upon the 
death of his wife, Mr. Stickle was left with a 
daughter, Nellie Calista, who was born December 
16, 1868, and is now one of the most accomplished 
young ladies in Orrick. She never attended the 
public schools a day in her life, but carried on her 
studies under the tuition of her stepmother until 
she entered AVoodland Female College at Inde- 
pendence, Mo., where she was a student for one 
year. 

On the 17tli of November, 1873, Mr. Stu-klo 
married Mrs. Harriet Ann (Irisli) Smith. This 
lady was born in Northumberland County, in 
what is now Ontario, on the Ith of December, 
1836, and is the dauglitor of Peter Irish, a na- 



560 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tivc Canadian, who was born in the year 1801, 
being one of four children. He died June 19, 
1884, while on a visit to his son at Rich Hill, Mo. 
In his religious belief he was a member of tiie 
IMethodist Church. The mother of Mrs. Stickle 
was Esther, daughter of Eldridge .Stanton, who 
was born in 1807, and was one of six children, all 
of whom are supposed to be dead, her own death 
occurring September 4, 1868. In 186.3 Harriet A. 
Irish became the wife of J. R. Smith, who passed 
away during the same year. Mrs. Stickle is a 
lady possessing many accomplishments, as well as 
those Christian virtues which have made her be- 
loved by all. After the completion of her educa- 
tion she became a school teacher, in which occu- 
pation she was remarkably successful. She has 
borne Mr. Stickle one daughter, Mary Alice, who 
was born in Orrick February 18, 1879. 

The maternal great-grandfather of Mrs. Stickle, 
a native of an Eastern State, moved to Canada in 
an early day, and in 1813 returned to tiie United 
States on a visit. While here he became engaged 
in the War of 1812, and was killed on the anni- 
versary of his birth, December 31, 1813, leaving 
a widow and six children. His property in Can- 
ada being confiscated, his widow, with native 
energy and tact, reared her children and had the 
proud satisfaction of seeing them all well settled 
in life, occupying positions of usefulness. This 
patriot's wife, survived to the age of more than 
four-score years and passed away in Illinois. 

Mr. Stickle settled in Orrick, Ray Count}-, JIo., 
in November, 1873, and embarked in the drug 
trade, which business he has continued ever since. 
He carries a complete assortment of drugs, med- 
icines, [ji'oprietary remedies and elegant toilet 
articles, in fact, everything that is usuall}- found 
in a first-class drug store. He received the ap- 
pointment of Postmaster in the spring of 1874, 
and held that office until he was succeeded by a 
Mr. Bailey, during President Cleveland's adminis- 
tration, but again received the appointment when 
Harrison became President. He keeps no clerks, 
but finds able assistants in his wife and daughters. 
In addition to the drug business and the care of 
the postoffice, he finds time to look after the 
orange groves in Florida and Louisiana of which 



he is the owner. He is a member of the p]pisco- 
pal Church, and sociallj' belongs to the Masonic 
order. His wife is a member of the Christian 
Church. They have living with them a boy by 
the name of Harry 11 Rowley, eleven years of 
age, whose mother was a Miss Irish prior to her 
marriage, and a half-oousiii of Mrs. Stickle. 



W. OSEPII DAIN, Jk. It has grown to be a 

d remarkable fact, that transplant a Canadian 
from his native soil to that of the States, 
^^_j^ and whatever he undertakes will be sure to 
go. Our subject is a native of the Queen's Dom- 
inion, and the flourishing condition of the manu- 
facturing plant of which he is President and 
Superintendent in CarroUton shows that he is no 
exception to the rule among his countrymen. He 
has a genius as a business manager, and his success 
in whatever he has put his hand to has been pro- 
nounced. The Dain Manufacturing Company is 
an important concern, having a capital stock of 
$100,000, fully paid up. 

Mr. Dain was born in London, Canada, Ma_y 3, 
1859. He is a son of Joseph and Hannah (Webb) 
Dain, both of whom were natives of England. 
The former was born in that wonderful manufac- 
turing city which h.is well been called the best 
governed city of the world, nainel}', Birmingham. 
He was a worker in wood and a .skilled stair- 
builder. He came to Canada at the age of twen- 
ty-five years, and located near London, where he 
was first employed at farming; later he took to a 
mercantile life, and in the year 1872 came to 
Chillicothe, Mo., and engaged in the general 
merchandi.se business until he finally retired. He 
has reached his three-score and ten j'ears, and 
promises to survive for some time. 

The Dain family comprised five children. Of 
these four are living, and our subject is the young- 
est. He was reared in Canada on the farm, and 
was also with his father in the store. He attended 
public schools, and on coming to Missouri with 
his parents entered the public schools at C'hilli- 
cc>the. After finishing his education, he served as 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



661 



clerk for bis father until sixteen 3'ears of age, 
when he was apprenticed to learn the cabinet- 
maker's trade. After working at it for two years, 
he was engaged in Meadville in the manufacture 
of coffins. AVhile thus emploj'ed, he invented and 
patented what is known as the Dain Automatic 
Hay Stacker. In 1882 he sold his cabinet-making 
business and went to SpringKeld, Mo., where he 
manufactured the hay stacker for a year, when 
he went to Kansas City and organized a com- 
pany. He built a factory and engaged in the 
manufacture of his invention until 1889. 

AVhile thus engaged, he at the same time 
brought his ingenuity to bear on similar needs, 
and invented the Dain Center Draft Mower, tlie 
Dain Sweep Ha}' Rake, the Dain Power Lift Push 
Rakes and the Eureka Corn Harvester, all of which 
were patented. In 1889 Mr. Dain organized a 
new company and moved his business to Carroll- 
ton. It was conducted for one year and in the fall 
of 1890 was incorporated with a capital stock of 
$40,000. Mr. Dain himself filled the offices of 
President and Superintendent. Mr. H. W. Sever- 
ance was Secretary, and J. R. Clinkscoles was 
Treasurer. In the spring of 1892 the capital was 
increased to 160,000. Our subject was again ap- 
pointed President and Superintendent. J. R. 
Clinkscoles retained his position, and Mr. J. C. 
Bramhall was elected Secretary. The latter is a 
man of large experience, and h.as been especially 
successful on the road as a salesman. In the fall 
of 1892 they increased their capital to $100,000, 
and re-elected the old officers. This is the largest 
manufacturing plant in Missouri, outside of the 
largest cities. They are gradually increasing their 
capacity and stock, so that it promises well for 
the future. They are located on South Main 
Street, between two depots, and directly on the 
Santa Fe and Chicago, Burlington it Kansas City 
Roads. They own a five-acre tract of land, and 
the wood-working shop is a building 50x180 feet 
in dimensions. The foundry is 50x50, and the}- 
have a shed room 40x150, and a machine shop 32 
x96, two stories high. Their storjige room is 48x 
196, and the paint sliop 48x160. The plant is run 
by a forty-horse power engine. The}' make their 
own patterns here, and, as can readily l)c seen, it 



gives employment not only to a number of skilled 
workmen, but to men of various tastes and abil- 
ities. Mr. Dain himself superintends the whole 
works. Ilis patents, which are manufactured here, 
number about fourteen in all. The trade extends 
over tlie AVest and North, and has a promising 
outlook in the South. They employ four men on 
the road. 

Mr. Dain was married in 1882, in Mcudville, 
this State, to a Miss Jenkins, wjio was born in 
Missouri. She is a daughter of A. Jenkins, who 
was a farmer and prominent stock-man there. 
They have two children, Bessie and Joseph, Jr. 
The family residence is on North Main Street, and 
is a pleasant and tasteful home. 



\' 1 OIIN R. AULD is engaged in general farm- 
ing on section 3, township 52, range 25, 
^^ ] Carroll County. He is a native of the 
(j^/' Keystone State, his birth having occurred 
in Pittsburgh, in 1832. His parents, John and 
Grace (Minford) Auld, were both natives of Ire- ' 
land. At the age of six j'cars, our subject removed 
with his parents from Pennsylvania to Ohio, where 
they located in Scott County. He was earl}' in- 
ured to farm labor and h.as always given his at- 
tention to that line of occupation. 

The year 1866 witnessed the arrival of our sub- 
ject in Missouri, where for eight years he engaged 
in agricultural pursuits in Ray County. For the ' 
past twenty years he has carried on the farm which 
he is still conducting in Carroll County. His farm 
comprises one hundred and seven acres of well- 
improved and valuable land, which is all under a 
high state of cultivation. As a farmer he has been 
very successful and his property shows the care 
and attention of a careful owner. 

In 1860 Mr. Auld and Miss Martha, daughter of 
Joseph AVhite, were united in marriage. Four 
children, of whom three are sons, have blessed 
their union: Thomas, Mary E., George and John 
M. Mrs. Auld is an esteemed member of tlie 
Methodist Episcopal Churcli. In his political 
views, Mr. Auld favors the nien and measures of 



562 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the Republican party, of which he is one of the 
linn supporters. Me and his family have a large 
circle of friends in this vicinity and well deserve 
the good opinion of their neighbors. 



THOMAS .JEFFERSON WILLIAMSON. In 

a very early day in the history of this coun- 
try, members of the family from which Mr. 
Williamson descended left the shores of England, 
according to tradition, and took up their residence 
on this side of the Atlantic. The first member of 
the family of wliom anything is very definitely 
known, was the great-gran dfatlier of the subject 
of this sketch, .James Williamson, who was an only 
son, born September 15, 1747 (it is supposed in 
P^ngland), and who died in Logan County, Kj'., in 
March, 1830. He first married Miss Elizabeth 
Hall, and afterward was united with a Miss Jack- 
son. The following-named children were born of 
his union with Miss Hall: James, born September 
8, 1775? Gracy, June 5, 1777; Mary, July 30, 
1778; Leonard, February 20, 1780; John (grand- 
father of our subject), November 25, 1782; 
.iushua, August 5, 1785; Jane, January 8, 1787; 
Caleb, March 31, 1788; Elizabeth and Jesse (twins), 
October 25, 1790. Of his second union two chil- 
dren were born: Jarvis, March 15, 1793; and 
Henry, August 31, 1795. 

John Williamson, the grandfather, was born in 
Bedford County, Va., November 25, 1782, and 
moved with his wife and family to Logan Count}-, 
Ky., about 1807, where, in August, 1823, he was 
called upon to mourn the death of his wife, who 
had been in maidenhood Miss .Jane Campbell, of 
Virginia. After her death he took unto himself a 
second wife, and in 1851 moved to Iowa, where he 
died June 22, 1865. He was a farmer by occupa- 
tion. The children born of his first union are as 
follows: Prudence, a native of Virginia, married 
.James Sawyer, February 6, 1825, and now resides 
in Nashville, 111., at the age of eighty-seven years; 
Wirt Nelson was born in Logan Countj', Ivy., 
September 23, 1809, and on the 26th of October, 



1830, married Mary Ann Baber; Harrison L. mar- 
ried .Jeweria Vaughn, December 21, 1832, and is 
living in Logan County, Ky., aged seventy-nine 
years; Eliza M. married George W. Hardy, De- 
cember 12, 1883, and lives in Simpson County, 
Ky., aged seventy-seven years; Eleazer T. mar- 
ried Amelia R. Rice, in August, 1839, and resides 
in Page County, Iowa, aged seventy-live years; 
Henry F. is deceased; and Alphonso L., who mar- 
ried M. C. .Sawyer, November 30, 1847, is also de- 
ceased. Of the second union the following chil- 
dren were born: Thomas N., who married Salina 
P. Sawyer, September 12, 1849, and resides in Ne- 
braska; John W., who married Elvira Garvin, 
June 8, 1853, and is deceased; James T., who mar- 
ried Helen A. Davis, November 20, 1856, and is 
deceased; Joseph H., who was married to Rebecca 
Reed, November 24, 1857, and is a resident of 
Colorado; and Mary E., who was united with W. 
G. Dinnan, October 1, 1857, and lives in Iowa. 
The father of these children and his second wife 
died in Delaware County, Iowa. 

Wirt Nelson Williamson, the father of our sub- 
ject, spent his youthful days in the county of his 
birth, and after his marriage continued to reside 
at home for a year. On the 11th of September 
1855, he started for Missouri with his family, the 
overland journey to Chariton County occupying 
about six weeks. He was accompanied by an 
uncle, an old bachelor, and they brought with 
them a number of slaves and several thousand 
dollars in gold, which were carried in a bureau 
drawer in a four-horse wagon. They camped out 
in tents during the journey, and while at Colum- 
bus, Mo., all the members of the company, except 
the uncle, a brother of our subject and one negro 
man, were sick for some thirteen d.a\'s with a fever 
peculiar to the country. 

Mr. AVilliamson examined land in the vicinity 
of Brunswick and purchased four hundred and 
sixty-eight acres where he now lives, locating on 
the same in Februaiy, 1856. In the management 
of his estate he gave each detailed portion of his 
work his personal supervision, and the care thus 
exercised contributed to place him among the 
foremost farmers of the county, as lie was one of 
its most intelligent citizens, Ujion venturing out 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



563 



upon tlie sea of niatriniony the worldly possessions 
of himself and wife consisted of a si)an of horses 
and a cow. He lost his slaves as a result of the 
war, also all his stock and grain, but he did not 
sit down and uselessly repine; on the contrary he 
set energetically to work to repair his losses, and 
did so in a great measure. Prior to the war he 
was a Whig, but has since been a Democrat. For 
tlie past fifteen years he has been totally blind. 
He and his wife make their home with their son, 
Thoraas J. The mother is a daughter of James 
Baber, a resident of Mercer County, Ky., of Eng- 
lish descent and a native of Virginia. Mrs. Will- 
iamson is now eighty-three years of age. The 
children born to this worthy couple were as follows: 
James P., who was accidentally shot by a friend 
while out hunting, Januar}' 30, 1857, at the age of 
twenty-sis years; John A., who died January 14, 
1846, at the age of thirteen years; Augustine W., 
who lives on a farm adjoining the old home place in 
Chariton County; and Thomas J., our subject. The 
parents are members of the Cumberland Presby- 
terian Church, in which the father was an Elder 
for several yeai's. 

Thomas Jefferson Williamson's advent into this 
world occurred in Logan County, Ky., June 20, 
1843. and his boyhood da3's were spent on the 
farm and in the district schools of his native 
State. In the winter of 1862 he attended a com- 
mon school in Montgomerj' County, 111., and two 
years later entered Hillsboro Academ}', where his 
record as an industrious and intelligent pupil was 
excellent. In the fall of 1864 he was in the en- 
rolled militia of Missouri for three months, but 
was not in the regular service. October 13, 1870, 
he was united in marriage to Miss Pamela Mar- 
tin, daughter of Caleb and Louisa Martin, of 
Chariton County, but was called upon to mourn 
her untimel}' death October 10, 1883. She was 
liuried at the Moore Cemetery beside an infant 
that had preceded her about six years. She left 
the children whose names are here given: Aub^', 
who is a teacher of tlie Chickasaw Nation, Indian 
Territorv, and John H., who is at home. Charles 
died in infancy. 

After his marri.age Mr. Williamson and ins wife 
resided on the old homfstcacl for oiii^ \i::\v. IIumi 



purchased a farm near Rothville, where they lived 
for three years. On account of his father's fail- 
ing eyesight he disposed of that property and re- 
turned to his old home, where he still lives. With 
two hundred acres which he owns of the old home- 
stead, he has in all four hundred and twelve acres 
of fine land, well adapted to the raising of the 
usual farm products or stock. The place is well 
improved and its management and appearance in- 
dicate the character of the owner to a noticeable 
extent. Politically, he is a Democrat. He has 
long been connected with the Methodist Episcopal 
Church South, of which his daughter Auby, who 
was educated in the Howard Female College, of 
Faj'ette, Mo., and the Central Female College, of 
Lexington, Mo., is also a member. 



p. BAUSERMAN, M. D. Integrity, intel- 
ligence and system are characteristics which 
will advance the interets of any man or any 
profession, and will tend to the prosperity 
to which all aspire. Dr. Bauserman's professional 
life was characterized by abilit3', a conscientious 
and faithful discharge of his duties, and by a care- 
ful stud}^ of causes and effects, and the result was 
readily seen in the large clientele which he gathered 
about him. He was born in Leavenworth County, 
Kan., March 31, 1866, but the father was born in 
Delaware, Ohio, where his birth occurred April 
14, 1840, of American parents. After moving to 
Leavenworth, Kan., he became a real-estate and 
mortgage broker, in which occupation he was rea- 
sonably successful. He was married to Laura E. 
Ehart, who was born in Buchanan County, Mo., 
May 5, 1848, daugliter of Cliristopher and Ellen M. 
(Hart) Ehart, and lo their union two children were 
born: M. P., and Mary Ellen, who married Oliver 
J. Snyder, of Leavenworth. 

The youthful days of M. P. Uausei-inan were 
spent after the usual style of city boys — in the pub- 
lic and High .School until he was seventeen years of 
age, at the end of which time he went into a drug 
store with his father in his native city, where they 
conducted a siioccssful l)usiiiftss until 1S84, at which 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, 



time he left the establishment to'pursue the study 
of medicine, his broad intelligence and natural kind- 
ness of heart instinctivel}- turning to that broad 
field for the alleviation of human suffering for his 
life's work. He graduated from the American Medi- 
cal College of St. Louis, Mo., in the Class of '87, 
and later took a special course in surgery in the same 
institution. After the completion of his medical 
course, he entered upon the practice of his profes- 
sion in Kansas City, where he remained about one 
year. After that he made a short stay in 
Texas, whence he removed to Joplin, Mo., and 
accepted the office of superintendent of the Dia- 
mond Lead & Zinc Company, of that city, which 
position he filled in a very satisfactory manner for 
two years. On the 13th of September, 1890, he 
married Mrs. P^lizabetli Smith, of Newton County, 
Mo., who was born on the 2d of June, 1868, be- 
ing the second of ten children born to her parents, 
eight of whom are living. Mrs. Bauserman is a 
higlilj' refined and cultured lady, an excellent 
wife and mother and a true and devoted friend. 
Her first union resulted in the birth of a daughter, 
.fessie Vern, born July 2, 1888, and Joseph P. Jr., is 
the fruit of her marriage with Dr. Bauserman, his 
birth occurring on the 28th of November, 1891. 

The profession of the physician not proving 
congenial to Dr. Bauserman, he has for some time 
l)ast devoted his time to traveling in the interests 
of a literary work, which calling has been one of 
both pleasure and profit. Politically, he is a Dem- 
ocrat, in which respect he fcdlows in the footsteps 
of his father, who was an ardent supporter of the 
principles of that party, having honorabl3' held the 
office of State Representative for four years. State 
Senator two years, and County Superintendent of 
Public Instruction twelve years. He w.as also Super- 
intendent of the State Board of Charitable Insti- 
tutions for two years, but upon the expiration of 
his last term in office, owing to ill health, he re- 
tired from the political arena, in which lie had 
met with a more than average degree of success. 
He is now living in retirement and is enjojing a 
competency which his own earnest efforts and intel- 
ligence won for him. Socially, he is a member of 
the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and is a de- 
vout member and liberal supporter of the Christian 



Church, to which his wife also belongs. Dr. Bau- 
serman and his wife move in the highest circles of 
societj^, have numerous friends in Excelsior Springs 
and their home has become noted for the cordial 
hospitality which is extended to all. The Doctor 
is a model American citizen, is very public spirited, 
and has always shown great liberality in assisting 
both personally and financially any enterprise that 
recommends itself to his excellent judgment. 



<* MLLIAM M. JENNINGS, our subject, 
\rJ// adds to husbandry an office designed to 
^/^ hold evil-doers in restraint, and to his 
credit it may truthfully be said that he meets very 
creditably his duties as a farmer and as constable. 
He resides on section 11, township 53, range 29, 
Ray County. He was born in Knox County, Ohio, 
April 29, 1837. His father, Cyrenus Jennings, 
was born and reared in Pennsylvania. After his 
marriage in Baltimore to Miss Elizabeth AVarrick, 
he removed to Knox Countj^, Ohio, where he fol- 
lowed agricultural pursuits and became a promi- 
nent citizen. Thence, in 1841, he removed to Mis- 
souri and settled in Livingston County, buying 
land and also entering some from the Government. 
After residing there for thirteen 3'ears, he came to 
Ray Coimtj', locating two and one-half miles from 
Knoxville, and resided upon a farm there about 
fifteen years. He then returned to Livingston 
County, where he died in 1872. He was the f.a- 
ther of ten children, several of whom are living. 
The Christian Church was very dear to him and 
not only was he a devoted member, but he fre- 
quently officiated as a preacher. 

Our subject was reared in Livingston and Pay 
Counties, where he attended school and gained 
such instruction as was then afforded in the com- 
mon schools. He remained at his home until his 
marriage, in 1859, to Miss Martha, daughter of 
Louis Lanier. After that important event, he lo- 
cated on the old homestead, near Knoxville, where 
he remained for one year. Later he made his 
home in Nebraska for one jear and returned thence 
to the old home place, where he stayed until he 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



565 



settled upon his present farm in 1879. Here he 
has resided ever since, with the exception of two 
years spent in Lawson. Six children have been 
born of his marriage, namely: Benjamin, a resi- 
dent of this county; Levi, Lava, Annie and AVal- 
ter, who are in Texas, and Stella, who resides at 
home. 

Our subject owns eiglity acres of land and a 
comfortable home. He carries on general farming 
and stock-raising and at one time was an exten- 
sive trader and stock-dealer. In politics, he is a 
sturd}', old-school, Jeffersonian Democrat, and has 
no patience with "'fence straddling," or "popping 
u])," first on one side and then on the other. A 
number of appointive and elective offices have 
been held by him, and among them those of 
School Director, City Marshal and Deput}' Sheriff. 
He is a verj' active member of the Christian Union 
Church, where his influence is felt for good. 



\IR^EV. J. W. HARDER, the subject of our 
li#^ sketch, is an earnest, devoted minister, wlio 
u^ *, for man}' years, in fact since he reached his 
manhood, has been an earnest worker in 
the cause of his Master. He resides on section 26, 
township 53, range 29, Ray County. His father, 
John N. Harder, was born in Alamance County', 
N. C, in November, 1799, and was reared in that 
count}', where his father before him spent his days 
except for the time he was in the War of 1812. 

John N. Harder was married in North Carolina 
to Miss Margaret Garrison, a daughter of William 
Garrison, who engaged in farming in that State. 
After his marriage he removed to Tennessee and 
settled in Sumner County, where he bought land 
and resided for two j'ears. Thence lie came to 
Ray County, Mo., and located near Hallard, where 
for a year he operated as a renter. He then pur- 
chased land on section 25, upon which he settled, 
and remained until his death. May 17, 1888, aged 
eighty-nine j^ears. His wife had preceded him 
some few years, dying May 2, 1883. They had a 
family of live children, namely: Mary Ann, wife 



of W. E. Hill, of Ray County; William J. and 
Joseph, deceased; John W., our subject; and 
Thomas B., living on the old homestead. The fa- 
ther was a member of the Christian Union Church 
and a very active worker in that organization. In 
politics he adhered through his life to the Demo- 
cratic party. 

Our subject was born March 30, 1839, in Sum- 
ner Count}', Tenn. At the age of one year he 
was brought by his parents to Ray County, where 
he was educated in the public schools and reared 
on the home farm. He was married in 1862 to 
Miss Rachel Susan, daughter of JonatlLin Postle- 
waite, who was born in Kentucky, and died in 
1852, while on his wa}' to California. Mrs. Har- 
der has one sister, Mrs. Sarah Munford, living at 
Excelsior and a brother, John, a farmer residing 
in Richmond Township, Ray County. Immedi- 
ately after his marriage Mr. Harder made a perma- 
nent home upon his present place of residence. 
During the war he served in the Fifty- first Regi- 
ment, Missouri State Militia, being a Sergeant in 
Company D. He was a strong Union man and 
unswerving in his devotion to the cause. Four 
children blessed the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. 
Harder, namely: Marj', who died when eigh- 
teen months old; John M., living at home; Will- 
iam Robert, who resides at Vibbard; and Georc^e 
A., who is at home. 

The farm belonging to our subject consists of 
one hundred and fort}- acres of well-improved 
land, devoted to general farming and the raisino- 
of stock. Jlr. Harder is a minister in the Christian 
Union Church and has been a preacher for twenty 
years, serving the Central Missouri charge, under 
which he has four local churches. His wife and 
all the members of his family are also connected 
with this denomination. In his ministerial work 
he has organized six local churches, five of tiiem 
with houses of worship, and all dedicated. During 
three terms he filled the office of State Evangelist. 
Mr. Harder united with the Christian Union 
Church in 1861, and has been ver}- active in its 
work ever since. His conversion was brought 
about by attendance upon meetings held by the 
great evangelist, John Walker, the first man to 
teach the i)riiicipl('s of that cliurcli in Missouri. 



566 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



During the war the church declined somewhat, 
but afterward J. V. B. Flaclv labored among the 
people, reorganizing and arousing the spirit of 
zeal, and soon placed the several charges upon 
solid footings. The political views of our subject 
are in consonance with the platforms of the Dem- 
ocratic i)arty, willi which ho always votes. 



lEN.TAMIN F. M0YP:R, the successful and 
enterprising agriculturist of 'Ray Count}-, 
I) ir has contributed largely to its progress and 
borne a prominent part in its develop- 
ment. Among those who have promoted the wel- 
fare of their fellow-citizens, may be mentioned 
Mr. Moyer, who resides in township 50, range 27. 
He was born in Orleans, Orange Count}^, Ind., in 
18.33, and is the son of P. N. and Sarah (Pippen) 
Mover. His father, a native of South Carolina, 
w.as born in 170',), and iiis mother was born near 
Paris, N. C, in 1802. Our subject's paternal 
grandfather was a native of Germany and at- 
tained to the venerable age of ninety-six. His 
maternal grandfather was a native of England, 
and lioth grandsires served as soldiers in the Revo- 
lutionary War, and had sous in the AVar of 1812. 

The fatlier and mother of our subject were 
reared in Indiana, the former coming hither with 
his parents, and the latter accompanying her 
widowed mother. The father enjoyed the ad- 
vantages of a thorough English and German ed- 
ucation and was well informed in regard to cur- 
rent events as well as general history. He was a 
carpenter Ijy trade, but from preference pursued 
the avocation of a farmer, espcciall}' during his 
latter years. In 1831 he married Sarah Pippen, 
and some time aftcrw.ard removed to Paris, 111., 
where he worked on the building of the court 
house, the first in Edgar County. His death oc- 
curred in 1850 near tlie above-named city. He 
and his wife were members of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church. They reared a family' of eight 
children, two of whom died young, the others 
being: Benjamin F., our subject; Catharine E., 
wife of Moses DeCani]i; Sciilda Benett, now de- 



ceased; John and James, who reside in Ra}' County; 
and William, deceased. 

Our subject remained with his parents until he 
was twenty years old, when he came to Missouri, in 
1853, and learned the trade of a carpenter and 
cabinet-maker. However, he has pursued mainly 
the occupation of farming. He entered the Con- 
federate army and served until the close of the 
war, being on detached dut}' in Texas during 
the latter part of the war. He then took the oath 
of allegiance to the Government of the ITnited 
States and returned home. Three of his brothers 
were soldiers in the Union army. After the war 
he settled at Wellington, La Fayette County, 
whence in 1866 he moved to his present farm of 
two hundred and thirty acres. 

In November, 1857, our subject married Olive, 
daughter of Elijah and Jane (Crooks) Hull. Slie 
has borne him six children, three of whom died 
young, the survivors being: Fannj', wife of Theo- 
dore Worthing; Alice, wife of George Stigall; 
and Josephine, wife of David Rider. Socially, 
Mr. Moyer is a member of Richmond Lodge No. 
57, F. & A. M., and the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows, at Wellington. In politics, he is a 
Democrat, and uses his influence in behalf of the 
prLnci|)les advocated by that party. 

} <' i I I III 

W S. WATKINS, a successful agriculturist and 
I (^ industrious citizen, is among the liighl}' es- 
j ILj^ ^ teemed residents of Clay Countj^, and pros- 
perously devotes himself to the cultivation of the 
old homestead located in township 52, range 32. 
Born upon this farm March 24, 1849, he is the son 
of James M. and Martha (Scearce) Watkins, well- 
known early settlers of the county. Thej' were 
natives of Woodford County, Ky., where the fa- 
ther was born April 16, 1811, and the mother June 
7, 1818. .lames M. Watkins had but little oppor- 
tunity for schooling, as his father died leaving the 
care and maintenance of the famil}- upon the son, 
who was yet a mere boy. Dutifully working upon 
the Kentucky farm, James Watkins I'emained with 
his mother until lie liad reached the age of twenty- 






%%} 



I 






^*^' Mk"' 







RLSIDENCCOF B.F. Iv'l Y t R , SEC. 1 2 . T. 50. R . 28, RAY CO. MO. 



i. 









1 



- Li 



ri ' 1 „ : H" ' 






;'"'fe^¥^i^x'^^"tf 




RESlDEi^CLOF ^ S WATKiriS.SEC 3 T 32 R 32 CLAY CO. MO, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



569 



seven years, when he married, and ten months later 
came to Missouri. His wife was llie daugliter of 
Laban and Jane (Asliurst) Scearce, and her grand- 
father, Robert Ashurst, was a Baptist ])reaflier. 

It was in the winter of 1837 that James Watkins 
came with his wife by river to Clay County, and 
here entered a portion of his land from the Gov- 
ernment and bought the remainder. His purchase 
was unimproved prairie land, and liis first work 
was to build a log house. In the earl}' spring he 
began the cultivation of the soil, which soon 
yielded abundant returns. He added to the origi- 
nal acres in the liomestead until his farm com- 
prised five hundred and twenty acres in Clay 
County, and he also owned a farm of three hun- 
dred and forty acres in Clinton County. Polit- 
ically, this pioneer settler of Missouri was before 
the war an ardent Whig and afterward became a 
strong Democrat. He and his excellent wife were 
the parents of eleven childien, one of whom died in 
infancy. Benjamin R. was the eldest of the family; 
Parker H., who enlisted in the Confederate army, 
was killed in Arkansas; Anna is deceased; Jennie 
has been twice married, her first husband being E. 
C. Baleh, and she is now the wife of George Fry; 
Amelia is Mrs. Michael Groom; our subject takes 
next place in the list; Susan is tiie wife of Joseph 
McConnel; Alice married the Rev. W. A. Crouch; 
Laura is Mrs. W. W. Francis; and Edgar is the 
3-oungest member of the family, all of wliom oc- 
cupy positions of respect and honor. 

The paternal grandparents of our subject were 
Benjamin and Jane (Minter) Watkins. Jane Min- 
ter was a daughter of Joseph and Jane (Trabue) 
Minter, and Jane Trabue was the daughter of Jolin 
and Olymphia (Dupuy) Trabue, being of direct 
French descent. Our subject received his educa- 
tion in the district schools of Clay County and 
Spaulding's Commercial College at Kansas City. 
At twenty-three 3'ears of age, he began life for 
himself, without money or influence to aid him. 
He first rented land of his father, and then remov- 
ing to Nortiieast Plattsl)urgli there rented a farm 
for two years, 

Tlie first marriage of our subject united him 
witli Miss Susie, daughter of Tliomas Downing. 
Tlie young wife soon died, and four jears later our 



subject married his present wife, Nannie, daughter 
of Jesse and Mary H. (Johnson) Connell. The 
parents of Mrs Watkins were natives of Kentucky, 
but she was born in Kansas and was one of a fam- 
ily of ten children. Her father, who was born in 
1818, died in 1892; her mother yet survives. The 
pleasant iiome of Mr. and Mrs. Watkins has been 
brightened by the birth of five children : Susie D., 
L. Arthur, James E., Jesse E. and Hugh Emerson. 
At the death of his father, our subject received 
a few hundred dollars and tliis amount he applied 
toward tlie purchase of tlie old homestead, which 
was endeared to him by the memories of early 
youth- The four hundred acres of which he is 
now the owner are under a high state of cultiva- 
tion and the homestead is one of the best farms in 
this section of the country. Mr. Watkins is a val- 
ued member of the Baptist Church. Politically, 
he is a firm Democrat and is deepl}' interested in 
local and national affairs. An earnest, intelligent 
and hard-working citizen, he is one of the factors 
in the progress and advancement of the American 
nation. 



^^ APT. JAMES L. FARRIS. A due regard 
(li fi) ^^^ ^'**' rights of others, a proper appreeia- 
^^^ tion of what is due himself, and a conscien- 
tious discharge of duty, have marked the career 
of our subject, a prominent citizen of Richmond. 
Born in Whitley Count}-, Ky., Maj' 7, 1833, he is 
the son of Joseph I. Farris, a farmer by occupation. 
The father was born near Crab Orchard, K3'., in 
1800, and died in 1 862, in Jefferson County, Tenn., 
where he had settled when our subject was but two 
years old. Grandfather Isam Farris was born in 
Virginia, of Scotch descent, and became a pioneer 
of Kentucky. 

Our subject's mother, Jane W. (Rogers) Farris, 
was a native of Jefferson County, Tenn. Her fa- 
ther, George Rogers, was a native of Virginia, and 
her paternal grandfather was born in Ireland. She 
died in July, 1888, when eighty-four years old. 
Our subject was tlie eldest son and second child 



570 



PORTRAIT ANT) BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of nine children, two of wliom survive, a sister 
and himself, the former being the wife of Col. D. 
M. Ray, of Woodson Count}-, Kan. Capt. Farris 
passed the greater part of his life up to his eigh- 
teenth 3'ear in Jefferson County, Tenn. lie at- 
tended the Burnsville High School, in Yance}' 
County, N. C, remaining there for four jears. In 
the spring of 1856 he removed to Raj^ County, Mo., 
where he taught school for a time in the country, 
and continued in the profession until the spring 
of 1861. At that time he enlisted in the State 
service, in what is known as Reeve's regiment, and 
served for six months in the State Guards. He 
then enlisted in the Confederate State service, in 
the Second Missouri Battery, known as Clark's 
battery, and was chosen First Lieutenant, Church- 
hill Clark being Captain. The battery was on 
dut}' in Missouri, and took part in the engage- 
ments at Sugar Creek and Pea Ridge, where Capt. 
Clark was killed. Our subject then became Cap- 
tain, with which rank he served throughout the 
war, and was so paroled at Gainesville, Ala. 

Afterward Capt. Farris located in Macoupin 
County, 111., and there resided from 1865 to 1869, 
meanwhile teaching school for two years. In 1869 
he returned to Ra}' Count}', Mo., and began the 
practice of his profession at Richmond, being asso- 
ciated with William A. Donaldson. The partner- 
ship was formed in the spring of 1869 and termi- 
nated in 1872, when Capt. Farris was elected Prose- 
cuting Attorne}'. In 1874, upon the expiration 
of his term, he resumed his law practice. In 1875 
he was elected a member of the State Constitu- 
tional Convention. He was four times elected a 
member of the State Legislature, serving in ses- 
sions Twenty-nine, Thirty-two, Thirty-three and 
Thirty-six in the General Assembly. For two 
sessions he was Ciiairman of the Judiciary Com- 
mittee and the Committee on Retrenciiment and 
Reform. 

In 1859 Capt. Farris was united in marriage 
with Miss Amanda, daughter of William Tisdale. 
This lady died in 1862, leaving two sons: Don W. 
and James L. The present marriage of our sub- 
ject took place in 1873, and united him with Miss 
Olivia N. Gaultney, a native of Yazoo County, 
Miss., and a daughter of Joscpli J. and Clara (P'ris- 



bie) Gaultne}'. One daughter, Jennie I., has been 
born of this marriage. Mr. Farris is a stanch 
Democrat in his political opinions, and is one of 
the prominent men of the party in this part of the 
State. Mrs. Farris is a valued member of the 
Episcopal Church. The family residence is pleas- 
antly located on Shaw Street, and is one of the 
most comfortable homes in the cit}'. 



^^m-^^-^^m 



■jf OHN H. KENDRICK, of Tina, Carroll 
County, is now occup3'ing a position as 
traveling-saleman for the boot and shoe firm 

_ of Sage tt Co., of Boston, Mass. He has been 
a resident of this town since April, 1887, and for 
about five j'ears carried on » general merchandise 
store at this point. He is a native son of the county, 
his birth having occurred in November, 1851. He 
is the youngest son in a family of six children, 
whose parents were William and Elvira (Mitchell) 
Kendrick, both natives of Kentuck}*. 

Until the age of ten 3'ears, our subject attended 
the common schools of the county during the 
winter season, assisting his brother during the re- 
mainder of the year in the work of the farm. He 
started out in life for himself when quite young, 
and has since made his own way in the world, 
without outside assistance. In 1867 he com- 
menced clerking for Simons Bros., of DeWitt, in 
whose employ he remained several years. P^or 
some time after he was engiiged in traveling as a 
salesman, and, as before mentioned, was for five 
years a general merchant in Tina. 

Mr. Kendrick is a pronounced Republican in his 
political views and in 1886 ran on the Republican 
ticket for Count}' Recorder. His personal popular- 
ity was shown by the fact, that although Carroll 
County is strongly Democratic he was beaten by 
only four votes. He holds membership with Tina 
Lodge No. 361, A. O. U. W. 

In October, 1888, Mr. Kendrick married Miss 
Ettie L. Richards, of' CarroUton, Mo., who is a 
daughter of C. S. Richards, of Kentucky. Their 
union has been blessed with a daughter, Essie Rue, 
a bright little girl, who is the light and }vy of her 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



571 



parents' home. The latter are both devoted mem- 
bers of the Cliristian Church, and they number 
many friends in this locality who hold them in 
tiie highest regard. Their pleasant home is hospi- 
tably open to all and they deliglit in entertaining 
their friends and neighbors. 



ILTON J. HUDSON, a popular and enter- 
prising druggist of Hale, Carroll County, 
has made this cit}' his home since 1884. 
His paternal grandfather, John Hudson, 
was a native of London, England. His son, Will- 
iam, the father of our subject, was also born in 
England, and removed to America in 1818, land- 
ing in Philadelphia. In early manhood, he mar- 
ried Miss Nancy Ilurd, whose birthplace was in 
Ohio. In 1851, they removed with their familj- to 
Carroll County, locating upon a farm near Hale. 
The subject of this sketch was born in Monroe 
County, Ohio, March .3, 1842, and since the age of 
nine 3' ears has been a resident of this county. He 
attended the common schools of the neighborhood 
and assisted his father in the care and labor of the 
farm. He was the fourth in order of birth of six 
children. In 1884, he removed to Hale, where he 
embarked in the drug business, in which he has 
proved himself very successful. He owns twenty- 
five acres of good farm land not far from this city, 
which at present he is renting. He is a stock- 
holder in the bank at Dawn, this State. 

Among the first to come to the defense of the 
Stars and Stripes was Mr. Hudson, who enlisted in 
the Union army, becoming a member of the Eigh- 
teenth Missouri Infautr3' on the 2d of April, 1861. 
He participated in the battle of Shiloh and the 
siege of Corinlli, being taken a prisoner in the lat- 
ter engagement, which occurred July 25, 1862. 
He was sent to Andersonville Prison, where he 
languished in confinement for four months and 
was then exchanged. He served through the At- 
lanta campaign and was mustered out of service, 
August 28, 1865, at St. Louis. He was a valiant 
and faithful soldier, one on whom his superiors 
might safely rel}'. After leaving the army, Mr. 



Hudson returned to Carroll County, where he 
turned his attention to farming for some time. 

In March, 1857, was celebrated the marriage of 
Mr. Hudson and Miss Marj- A. Ilanney, whose fa- 
ther, John llanne}^, was born in Palestine. They 
have had six children, of whom two are now de- 
ceased. The surviving are: Frederick S., Julia, 
Charles B. and Clyde M. 

Mr. Hudson is interested in civic societies and is 
a member of the following orders: Hale Lodge 
No. 184, A. F. & A. M.; Battsville Lodge No. 361, 
I. O. O. F.; Hale Lodge No. 317, A. O. U. W.; and 
Guy Ward Post No. 183, G. A. R. Mrs. Hud- 
son is a consistent member of the Christian 
Church. Loyal to his country in time of peace 
and war, our subject is a stalwart Republican and 
is in favor of a high protective tariff. 

UILLIAM RILEY, a representative general 
agriculturist and stock-raiser of Chariton 
W^ Couutj-, has been for nearly half a cen- 
tury' one of the highly respected residents of the 
State, and is widely known as a man of energy 
and ability. For some years he has been a mem- 
ber of the School Board and is deeply interested 
in local advancement and business enterprise. His 
homestead of one hundred acres located upon sec- 
tion 15, township 56, range 18, is under a high state 
of cultivation and annually fields an excellent har- 
vest. The graded Shorthorns to which he is now 
giving especial attention are fine stock, and he 
keeps only the best grade. 

Our subject is a native of Illinois, and was born 
in Gallatin County, in December, 1839. His father, 
Isaac Riley, was also born in Illinois, and thereat- 
tended school, and attaining manhood was united 
in marriage with Miss Agnes Callicott, a native 
Kentuckian. He was a son of Joseph and Re- 
becca Rilej^, natives respectively of Ireland and 
Germany, of whose children we note the follow- 
ing: Owen, Abraham, Isaac and Morris, all de- 
ceased; William; Squire, deceased; John, a preacher 
in Indiana; and two daughters, of whose names 
we have no record. One daughter, Mrs. Moore, is 



572 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



now deceased. Isaac and Agnes Riley became the 
parents of twelve children, as follows: Morris, 
AVilliam, Samuel, Mar}', Rebecca H, Permela, John, 
Martha, Celia, Elizabeth, .Joseph and Alice. All 
of these children are deceased with the exception 
of our subject, Rebecca E., Celia and Joseph. 
AVhen William was six j'ears old his parents came 
with their family to Chariton County, Mo., where 
he received the benefit of the studies of the dis- 
trict schools, and aided his father in the work of 
the farm. 

At eighteen years of age our subject married 
Miss Mary Breeze, who was born in Chariton 
County, .Tuly 14, 1842. She was the daughter of 
James and Amanda (Shepherd) Breeze, now de- 
ceased. The father was born in Virginia, and the 
mother was a native of Scotland. Their family 
numbered eight sons and daughters: Ann, de- 
ceased, was the eldest; Sarah, resides in the State 
of Washington, and is the wife of the Rev. Mr. 
AVills; Margaret is Mrs. Gandy, of Chariton County; 
Thomas died in California; Renner and Amanda 
are deceased; James is living in San Francisco, 
Cal.; and one child died in infancy. When Will- 
iam Riley was married his father gave him eighty 
acres of land, upon which the 3'oung couple began 
life for themselves. Into their home came ten 
children: Adelia, the eldest, is now Mrs. Lippin- 
cott, and resides in Linn County; Margaret E. is 
Mrs. Webster, and makes her home in Saline County, 
Mo.; William II. and James are both deceased; 
Silas AV. lives in Chariton County; Jennie, Mrs. 
Slaughter, is a resident of Saline County, Mo.; 
George is now in California; Charlie, Emma and 
Lizzie are at home. 

Mr. and Mrs. Riley and their family are mem- 
bers and constant attendants of the Cumberland 
Presbyterian Church, and are ever active in the 
work of that religious bodj'. As a School Direc- 
tor our subject has materially aided in the ad- 
vancement of the best interests of the county, and 
as a citizen is prominently connected with the 
progress of local growth and improvement. Dur- 
ing the Civil War he enlisted at Waverl}^ Saline 
County, in Company K, Ninth Missouri Regi- 
ment, C. S. A., iind served at first under Gen. 
Price. Afterward he was in the command of Gen. 



Kirby Smith, and engaged in the battle of Spring- 
field and numerous skirmishes. After a time he 
entered the hospital as a nurse and assisted in the 
care of the wounded. Our subject votes the Dem- 
ocratic ticket and takes an abiding interest in both 
national and local issues. For forty-seven years 
he has been intimately associated with the history 
of Missouri, and is numbered among the substan- 
tial citizens of the State. 



f 



AMES L. MINNIS.is a prominent attorney- 



at-law located atCarroUton, Carroll County 
At the present time he is also the Chair- 
man of the County Republican Committee. 
Mr. Minnis was born in Prairie Township, this 
county, November 6, 1866. He is the son of 
T. W. and Emeline (Templeman) Minnis, both na- 
tives of this county. Grandfather Minnis, who was 
known as the Hon. Thomas Minnis, was born in 
Kentucky, but coming to Missouri, was numbered 
among the very early settlers of Carroll Count}- 
He was a pioneer farmer and Judge of the Country 
Court for years. He was also a member of the 
State Legislature for two terms. 

Our subject's grandfather served in the Union 
army during the war and was a commissioned 
Captain. He was a Republican in politics. His 
son also served in the Union army throughout the 
war. He still resides in Prairie Township and is a 
well-to-do farmer. Our subject's mother was a 
daughter of Edward Templeman, a native of Ken- 
tucky, who came to Missouri and first located in 
Trotter Township, Carroll County. He is now 
an old gentleman, and is passing his latter years in 
Carrollton. 

Of the seven children in the Minnis family, J. L. 
is the third eldest. He was reared on a farm, and 
in 1883 he entered William Jewell College at Lib- 
ert}', in which he was a student for two years. 
He then returned to Carroll County and began the 
study of law under J. F. Graham. He was ad- 
mitted to the Bar in 1887 and at once began prac- 
ticina: in the citv, where lie lias ever since lived 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



573 



In 1888 he was elected Prosecuting Attorney on 
the Republican ticket and for two years discharged 
the duties attendant on that office, but declined 
re-nomination. 

Our subject was married at Carlisle, Ky., October 
2, 1889, to Miss Mattie StancUe^ .She was reared 
and educated in Carroll County and is a highly 
cultured lad.w They have one child, a son, whose 
name is Milton. Mr. Minnis was a member of the 
State Republican Central Committee from 1889 to 
1891, and of the Executive Committee of the Mis- 
souri State Rei)ublican League from 1890 to 1892. 
lie is now Chairman of the Carroll County Repub- 
lican Central Committee. He is interested in a 
line farm on the Missouri Kiver Bottom. 



i>^^<i 



^•lOBERT R. WILSON is the editor of the 
Weekly Herald, of Tina, one of the leading 
\\\ Republican newspapers of the county. This 
^'^.' journal is well conducted and ably edited 
and is to be found in the homes of most of the lo- 
cal Republicans. He has had charge of this paper 
only since 1888, but has already greatly increased 
its circulation. 

The ancestors of Mr. AVilson were natives of 
England, some of whom came to this countr}^ during 
the last century. His grandfather, Thomas Wilson, 
was born in the Empire State, while his father, who 
also bore the name of Thomas, was a native of 
New Jersey and an early settler of Linn Count}', 
Iowa. The mother of our subject was in her 
maidenhood Sarah Livingstone, and b}- her mar- 
ri.age became the mother of nine children, Robert 
R. being next to the youngest of the number. 

Our subject was born in Linn Count}', Iowa, 
on the 8th of August, 1855, and spent his boyhood 
in that locality. His educational advantages were 
those of the district school until he had reached 
the age of sixteen j-ears, at which time he entered 
the Western College, located at Toledo, Iowa, 
where he passed four years in study, graduating 
from the scientific dei)artment in 1881. The fol- 
lowing year Mr. Wil.son went to Avalon, Living- 
ston County, Mo., taking charge of a pa|)er called 



the Aurora in that cit}', which he edited for 
six years. Removing to Tina in 1888, he purchased 
the Tina Herald, which he has since conducted. 
Mr. Wilson is a firm believer in the power wielded 
by the press in the formation of the opinions of 
the people, and is earnest in his efforts to promul- 
gate only reliable and truthful theories on each 
and every subject. 

In 1883, a marriage ceremony performed in 
Moulton, Iowa, united the destinies of Mr. Wilson 
and Miss Alice Singley, who is a daughter of 
George W. Singley, a native of .Johnstown, Pa. 
To our subject and his wife has been born a son, 
Karl Fred, a bright and promising little fellow. 

Mr. Wilson of this sketch has a line residence 
in Tina, nicely located and with beautiful sur- 
roundings. It is the abode of hospitality and 
good cheer, and there both he and his amiable wife 
take great pleasure in entertaining their many 
friends. They are both active workers and mem- 
bers of the Presbyterian Church. 



LYSSES ADAMS, an honored and upright 
Justice of the Peace and pioneer resident 
of Missouri City, Clay County, Mo., came 
to his present locality when even the site of this 
town was a wilderness and the surrounding 
country inhabited largely with Indians. An eye- 
witness of the rapid growth and progress of liis 
adopted State, our subject has worthily held vari- 
ous official positions and given to the duties of of- 
fice the prompt consideration and faithful service 
demanded. As a magistrate he is universally sat- 
isfactory, his conscientious decisions revealing his 
sterling integrity of character and wisdom of 
judgment. Squire Adams was born in North 
Carolina, June 18, 18.37, and in the fall of the year 
his parents, also natives of North Carolina, made 
their home in Clay Count}-, Mo., and upon un- 
broken prairie land the father began the cultiva- 
tion of the soil. The family were all Missionary 
Baptists with the exception of the father, who was 
not a church-member. 

Kaliier Adams found stock-raising prolilalilc 



574 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and was also prospered in general agriculture. In 
early life a Whig, he was later a Democrat. He 
was born in 1812, and died in 1858. The mother 
was born in about 1810 or 1812 and passed away 
in 1852. Our subject was the eldest of six chil- 
dren, and a twin sister, Mrs. Richard Monkress, 
now resides in AVise County, Tex. The youthful 
days of Squire Adams were spent upon his father's 
farm and his opportunities for an education were 
extremely limited. Having reached his majority, 
he decided to take unto himself a companion, and 
in 1859 be married Miss Sarah Lynch, born March 
16, 1841, and the daughter of David Lynch, for- 
merly of Tennessee but now a citizen of Clay 
County. Mrs. Sarah (Lynch) Adams was one of 
nine children and a most agreeable lady, of pleas- 
ing presence, refined and intelligent. She de- 
parted this life May 19, 1875, leaving behind her 
sorrowing relatives and friends. Four of her five 
children are yet living. The surviving sons and 
daughters are: Laura B., now Mrs. Suodgrass, of 
Jackson County; Emma J., Mrs. Alexander, of 
Jackson County; John II., who married Miss 
Helen E. Robey, and lives in Clay County; and 
Allen, a j-oung man now at home, who completes 
the list of the children of the first wife. 

In 1879 Squire Adams married for his second 
wife Mrs. Mary A. Thurman, of Douglas County, 
Kan., a lady of worth, devoted to the interests of 
her home and family. She was born April 4, 1841. 
Two sons blessed the second union, William E., 
born in 1880, and Homer in 1885. Mrs. Adams 
had by her first husband two children, one of whom 
died in infancy, but Helen M. yet survives. Our 
subject had one daughter, Mrs. Mary A. McGlnniS) 
who died in 1882, leaving an infant which only 
survived its mother a few days. Mrs. Adams is a 
devout lad}' and a worthy member of the Christian 
Church. Squire Adams is not connected with any 
religious denomination. Politically he isastrong 
Democrat, and, elected b}^ his partj% served two 
years as City Recorder. In his present position 
as Justice of the Peace he makes friends and no 
enemies, even the defeated acknowledging the 
fairness and impartiality of his decisions, ever ren- 
dered according to law and evidence. Among tiie 
occupations of his life which have given him uni- 



versal pleasure is the keeping of an apiary, his 
bees being both a source of profit and interest. 
His life has been a busy one and more tiian ordi- 
narily successful. Others of his old acquaintance, 
may possibly possess more of this world's goods, 
but none can show a more unblemished record of 
a career, upon which not even a shadow of sus- 
picion has ever rested. 



■jjl UD(;E JAMES A. REDDING, a representa- 
tive general agriculturist and stock-raiser 
of Chariton County, Mo., was elected 
' County Judge in 1892 for a term of two 
years, and presiding upon the judicial bench, has 
given universal satisfaction. He has for many 
years occupied positions of public trust with great 
honor and ability. For four years he served as 
an efficient Township Clerk, and for four years 
was the able Township Assessor; he has also filled 
with acceptability for eight years the office of 
Justice of the Peace. Lorn September 1, 1855, in 
Chariton County, our subject has spent almost his 
entire life among the scenes of his childhood. For 
eight years he was located in Chillicothe, Living- 
ston County, where he learned the tinner's trade 
and worked industriouslj' at the same. 

The father of Judge Redding, Isaac W. Red- 
ding, was a native Kcutuckian and, born in 180G, 
came with.his parents to Missouri at nine years of 
age. Remaining always in his first location, he 
died in the old home on the 3d of January, 1869. 
He was married in the year 1854 to Mary A. 
Saunders, who became the mother of three chil- 
dren: James was the eldest of the family; Isaac S. 
is in business at Kansas City; and Louis U. is also 
in business in Kansas City. James, our subject, 
received a rudimentaiy education in the common 
schools of Missouri, and in early manhood was 
united in marriage with Miss Addie Green, who, 
like her husband, was born in Macon County. The 
wedding took place on the 28th of November, 1877, 
and tiie happy couple received the congratulations 
of many friends. Years swiftly (led, and into the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



575 



cheery home three children were sent to gladden 
the hearts of their loving jiarents. Ethel, John 
II. and Mabel, bright and interesting young peo- 
ple, are all at home, but the mother i)assed awaj', 
dying on the ^th of Januarj% 1885. .Tudge Red- 
ding married again January 1, 1889, being united 
to Miss Carrie Green, a cousin of the first wife. 
This estimable lady is the mother of two children, 
Clara V. and James W. 

The mother of our subject was born about twen- 
ty-five miles from Washington, D. C, in 1817, and 
came to Missouri when a mere girl. Marrying 
Isa.ac Redding, she has spent over half a century' 
here, and now makes her home with Judge Redding. 
Her husband was a widower when she made his 
acquaintance, his lirst wife, Mrs. Elizabeth (Herri- 
man) Redding, to whom he was married in 1827, 
having died in 1842. The children of the first 
\inion were: Felix; Sarah, now Mrs. Trent; John 
W., deceased; Wilson; Eliza, deceased; Nannie, 
Mrs. William White; and AVilliam. Judge Redding 
and his family occupy positions of honor and in- 
fluence and are valued members of the Baptist 
Church, aiding liberally in the support of that re- 
ligious organization and the advancement of its 
good woik. The family is also prominently iden- 
tified with the soci.al and benevolent enterprises 
of the community, and enj03'S the esteem of a 
large circle of friends. Judge Redding is a mem- 
ber of Westville Lodge No. 202, A. F. & A. M. 

As a public offici.al, our subject is widel3' 
known, and in the varied duties of Township 
Clerk, Assessor, Justice of the Peace and .Judge 
of the Countj' Court, has ever been distinguished 
for faithful fidelity to duty and the upright in- 
tegrity of character which has guided him safely 
through the shoals and quicksands of life. Ear- 
nest in purpose, intelligent in decision, and of a 
high order of abilit}'. Judge Redding is recognized 
by his fellow-citizens as a progressive and public- 
spirited man, well worthy of any position in the 
gift of the pco|)le. Financially, Judge Redding is 
not wealthy, in the common .icccptation of the 
term, but he has achieved a comfortable compe- 
tence, having a half-interest in three hundred and 
thirty-five valuable acres of land, .and also owning 
the old homestead of one hundred and seventy- 



five acres, all under a high state of improvement. 
The home farm, located pleasantly upon section 
4, township 55, range 18, is the abode of hospital- 
ity and the scene of many pleasant gatherings of 
old-time friends. 

S ■'~S]<"? SbTu '* ■--© 

(^^HOMAS PERKINSON, M. D., the subject 
f/j^^ of this sketch, owned a fine farm and cozy 
V^^ home and enjoyed a large practice in his 
profession, and, what was far better than all, had 
a loved and loving wife and true and good chil- 
dren, in fact, everything to m.ake life desirable; 
3et Death called him, and widow and children 
were left desolate. The home place is on section 
20, township 54, range 16, Chariton County, Mo., 
the i)ost-office of the famil}' being Salisbur}-. 

Dr. Perkinson was born in Kentucky, February 
23, 18.36, being a son of John and Eliza (Elling- 
ton) Perkinson, the father a native of Virginia, 
who removed to Chariton Count}', Mo., when the 
Doctor was nine years of age. Our subject was 
one of six children, onlj' one of the number liv- 
ing, namely: Rebecca C. Redding, who resides in 
Chillicothe, Mo. 

Our subject was married to Elizabeth Dysart, 
who was born in Howard Count}-, Mo., in 1841, 
being the daughter of John and Matilda (Brooks) 
Dysart. The marri.age of Dr. and Mrs. Perkinson 
occurred in Howard County, in 1867, their union 
being blessed with .seven children, six of whom 
are living, namely: Eliza, born in Chariton County, 
in 1868, a teacher in the public schools of Salis- 
bury; Myrtle, born in Chariton County, Decem- 
ber 4, 1870, wife of William Bozworth, and living 
in Chariton County; John, born in 1872, single, 
living at home; James, born in 1875; Matilda, in 
1877, and Lovick in 1883, all living at home. 
Thom.as is deceased. All the children were born 
in Chariton County, and the two eldest were edu- 
cated at Glasgow, Mo. 

Our subject was educated at F.iyette, but was 
compelled to leave school at the age of twenty 
in order to .issist his mother, who w.as a widow. 
He began the study of medicine under Dr. Lewis, 



576 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



afterward attending a medical college at Phila- 
del()lua, and then tiie College of Physicians and 
Surgeons at St. Louis. He entered upon tlie prac- 
tice of his profession at the age of twenty-five 
and continued it to the time of his death. The 
memory of this good man is precious to many 
\)eople in Chariton County, he having been one of 
the most generous of men, kind and sympathetic, 
and esteemed by everybody. Success attended 
him in his practice and in all his business, and 
though he accumulated a great deal of property, 
yet he was one of the most charitable men in 
Chariton County. The farm of three hundred 
and twenty acres which he left to his widow and 
children is worth $14,000, the comfortable house 
cost |il,000, and a large barn and other outhouses 
are upon the place. 

Our subject was an earnest and pious member 
of the IMethodist Episcopal Cliurch South, in which 
he held the ottice of Steward for many years prior 
to his death, beside supporting it generously flnan^ 
cially. His widow and two children are also mem- 
bers of the same body- Tiie Doctor was also a 
member of Prairie Hill Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of 
which he is said to have been a very bright mem- 
ber. Politically, he was a Democrat, and his sym- 
pathies were strongly Southern during the great 
conflict, although he did not bear arms. 



on section 16, township 51, range 29, Ray 
l*^% Count}', is a native of Kentucky, his birth 
f having occurred in Casey County, Novem- 
ber 3, 1821. His father, Lewis Pigg, of Kentucky 
ancestry, emigrated with his family from his na- 
tive State to Ray County in 18.39. They endured 
many hardships during their journey, and upon 
their arrival in this locality- made a settlement on 
school lands situated on the banks of the Mis- 
souri River. He was a blacksmith by trade and 
worked some at that occupation after coming to 
Missouri. At the same time he cleared and im- 
proved his farm, and seemed in a fair way to be- 
come prosperous and successful, wluni tlie great- 



flood in the spring of 184i swept away all he had, 
leaving himself, wife and five children destitute. 
He then allowed the land to revert to the county, 
and removing to South Point, Mo., there engaged 
at his trade for the su|)port of his famil}'. In the 
spring of the following year he returned to his old 
place, where his deatli occurred soon after, in 
April, 1845. 

The mother of our subject was in her maiden- 
hood. Miss Sarah McWhorter, whose father, John 
McWhorter, came from an old North Carolinian 
family, and served with distinction and re- 
nown in the War of the Revolution. Mrs. Pigg, 
after the death of lier liusband, petitioned the 
county to have the land sold at auction. She then 
bid it off at $2 an acre and had it deeded to her 
son Reuben, the present owner, who cared ten- 
derly for his mother until her death, which oc- 
curred November 5, 1857. Her family comprised 
five sons and five daughters. 

In the usual fashion of the farmer lads of those 
days the boyhood of Reuben Pigg was passed, and 
as he was the eldest child much care and labor fell 
upon his young shoulders after his father's death. 
With the exception of a short time spent in the 
subscription schools he is entirely self-educated. 
In addition to carrying on and improving the 
homestead he is still running the little blacksmith 
shop on the corner which his father started over 
half a century ago. Mr. Pigg still wields his ham- 
mer with tlie skill and vigor of a man many years 
his junior. 

At the age of thirty-five years Mr. Pigg married 
Miss Susan Writesman, of Clay County. Her f.a- 
ther, Peter Writesman, settled in Clay County at 
an early day, and was a successful farmer. Eight 
children graced the union of our worthy sub- 
ject and his estimable wife, but three of whom 
survive, namely: William L., who married Miss 
Maggie Kirkpatrick, of Ray Count}-, resides on 
the old homestead; George Harvey, whose wife 
was formerly Miss Dora Brasher, of this county, is 
now living near Albany; Charles, who is the 
youngest of the family, married Miss Amanda 
Ross, of Orrick, and resides on a farm. 

During the war Mr. Pigg was lo^'al to the 
I'nioii, and says of thoso ti'OuI)lous days, "I have 




o- 






\/' 







PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPmCAL RECORD. 



579 



seen m}' fences lined with McClelland 's men, who 
have helped themselves to whatever they could 
find, and my family were obliged to take what 
they graciously left." He takes great delight in 
relating his pioneer experience and adventures 
while hunting and fishing, being yet verj^ fond of 
the latter sport. He is uncommonly active and 
vigorous for one of his years, and is an uncom- 
promising Democrat. 

The homestead farm comprises two hundred and 
twenty acres of fine arable land, which has been 
transformed by his own industry and hard labor 
from a dense wilderness. He is a thrifty farmer, 
and his fine residence is surrounded with a beauti- 
ful shady lawn overlooking the Missouri River. 
He is especially interested in raising fine stock, and 
is progressive in his ideas of agriculture. 

Both Mr. and Mrs. Pigg are esteemed members 
and active workers in the Christian Church. They 
have seven grandchildren, who are their delight, 
and of whom they are justly proud. 



ON. WILLIAM HERTFORD. The gentle- 
man of whom this sketch is written is a 
member of an old family of this country 
and England. The title of nobility of the 
family in England, of,/which the American Hery- 
for-ds, are a branch-,' dates back to the reign of 
Edward VI. dimng which time, in 1550, Viscount 
Ileryford received a patent from the King. The 
famil3% tiowever, had been a distinguTsImd^one 
long before that time. The American branch of 
the family was founded bj- a colonist cavalier who 
came to Virginia in the time of Oliver Cromwell, 
and from him descended the grandfather of our 
subject. In this country the name is written Hery- 
ford, although in England it is Hereford. 

Our subject was born in Salisbury Township, 
Chariton County, Mo., April 14, 1818, and with- 
out doubt is the oldest native settlor of the count}'. 
His grandfather was a gallant Revolutionary sol- 
dier uniler Washington, afterward became a farmer 
and died in A'irginia, Ilis wife was a French lady 

2y 



of distinction. The father was a farmer of Vir- 
ginia, where he became a soldier in the War of 
1812 under Gen. Jackson and also in the Black 
Hawk War. Both terms of service would have en- 
titled him to grants of land, but he would not 
take them, saying that he had served through pa- 
triotism. He took part in the battles of Muck- 
faugh. Horseshoe and Talladagua, and after the 
war he removed into Kentuck}'. In 1816, his wife, 
who had been a Mrs. Brown, passed away. Later, 
he came to Illinois with a team and wagon, and in 
this State he married a second time. 

After his marriage, Mr. Heryford removed to 
Missouri, in the year 1817, and located first 
in Howard and then in Chariton County, three 
miles west of where the city of Salisbury now 
stands. The land was all prairie and woods at 
that time, and he was one of the first settlers in 
his locality. He engaged in farming and ran a 
cotton gin, had a mill operated by horse power 
and also a distilleiy. Mr. Herj'ford did the largest 
business of anj' citizen in the count}-, and every 
one in need came to him for help. In 1831, he 
was the only man in the county who had any seed 
corn. He had three hundred barrels, and men 
came from Randolph, Howard, Boone, Ray and 
Carroll Counties for some. Had he charged high 
prices he would have become wealthy, but his un- 
varying price was twenty-five cents, nor would he 
sell to one person more than was needed to plant. 

In his early days Mr. Heryford was Captain of 
a company of minute-men which he organized to 
protect the settlers from the Indians. Personally, 
however, he experienced no trouble with them; 
he was familiar with their language and had 
gained their friendship. In the Black Hawk 
War he was Lieutenant of a company from this 
count}' He died on his farm at the age of 
eighty-three. For many years he had been a 
Deacon in the Baptist Church. His politics were 
Democratic and very strongly adhered to. Per- 
sonally, he was a large, stout man, and possessed a 
vigorous constitution. The mother of our subject, 
Elizabeth Vineient. was born in Kentucky, a rela- 
tive of the Carlin family of Illinois, where she 
was reared. Her death occurred in 1848. Bv his 
first marriage. Mr. Ileryford had eleven children. 



580 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of whom only two are now living. Bj' the second 
marriage lie had seven children, one boy and six 
girls, only three of whom are living. 

Our subject was the eldest of these seven chil- 
dren and was reared on a farm. Indians being 
numerous, he became well acquainted with them 
and learned the languages of the Sioux and lowas 
and slept in White Cloud's camp many times. 
AVhen a boy he used to go out as an interpreter for 
the traders. lie remained under his father's care 
until fourteen years of age, .assisting in the care of 
the mill, the gin and the distillery, and studying 
for a time in a log schoolhouse. At the age of 
fourteen he engaged as a clerk in Keytesville, at 
$100 peryear, and there he remained for a period of 
one 3'ear. He then was sent to Brunswick to start 
a branch store for his employers at a salary of 
$.300. Of this he made a success and earned $4,- 
000 in that pLace for his employers, with whom he 
remained as clerk at Keytesville until 1838. At that 
time he went South to take a steamboat, but was 
disappointed in the undertaking. He then came 
to Illinois to visit relatives. 

In the fall of 1838, Mr. Ileryford went to Tliorn- 
tonsburg, Mo., to clerk for John Mulligan, a 
merchant, whom he assisted to conduct his store. 
He then entered the store of Carson & Co., and 
remained in that connection until the fall of 1843, 
when, in partnership with Mr. Carroll, he opened 
a general mercantile business in Thorntonsville, 
under the firm name of Carroll and Ileryford. 
Twelve months later this lirm became Ileryford & 
Adams. However, as Mr. Ileryford preferred agri- 
cultural life, he soon closed out his business and 
bought a farm of live hundred acres, which he 
cleared and improved and devoted to the raising 
of tobacco and hemp. He saw the war coming on 
and wisely wanted to lix himself in a safe position 
if the Confederates lost. In 1859, he began ship- 
ping tobacco to Europe, consigning it to Liver- 
pool, London, Antwerp, Bremen and Stockholm. 
He bought and shipped leaf tobacco in hogsheads 
and continued business on an extensive scale un- 
til 1864. At that time public affairs were in such 
a disturbed condition that our subject discontinued 
his business for one year, then entered it again 
;UHi continued it uutil 1.^8), He raised the finest 



leaf tobacco in the United States, and was the largest 
shipper in the count}', having shipped as high as 
one and one-half million pounds a year. At the 
breaking out of the war he owned forty-nine 
slaves, included in twelve families, and all of these 
were comfortably domiciled in brick cottages. For 
these slaves he was offered -^35,000, but he would 
not sell for any price, as he considered the consti- 
tution of Missouri would pay for them. In 1864, 
at the battle of Glasgow, the warehouse where he 
had one hundred thousand pounds of tobacco 
stored was burned down, entailing a loss of $20,000. 

In 1861, our subject was otfered a position on 
Gen. Price's staff, but would not accept, as he said, 
"I could never fight under anj' flag but the old one 
under which both my father and grandfather 
fought." In 1864, his [josition was made so un- 
comfortable that he found it wiser to remove with 
his wife and children to CarroUton, 111., and soon 
afterward his farm house was burned. He re- 
mained in CarroUton ten months, eng.aged in the 
groceiy business, and established a very good 
trade. In 1865, he returned to his home in Mis- 
souri, where he had twelve hundred acres. This is 
now the best farm in the county and the largest 
estate iu one body. His improvements here are 
ver}' good and include a large frame house erected 
at a cost of $6,000. Since the war he has con- 
tinued farming and raising tobacco. He also breeds 
Southdown shee(), Hereford, Shorthorn and Polled 
Angus cattle, which latter he considers the best. 
For eight years he has been correspondent of the 
Agricultural Department at W.ashington from 
Chariton County. 

Mr. Ileryford was married in this county, in 
1840, to Miss Rebecca Beatley, a native of Chariton 
County, who died March 8, 1843. September 26, 
1844, he married Miss Elizabeth Bentley, a sister 
of his first wife. She died September 18, 1874, 
leaving five children, namel_y: Covey and Bentley, 
who are on the home farm; Emnia, Mrs. Dortel, a 
resident of Glasgow; Nellie and William, at home. 
The fourth marriage of our subject took place in this 
county, and united him with Mrs. Elizabeth 
Hayes, a daughter of Presley Hallcy, of Howard 
County, where she was born. Her father was 
born in Madison (Jountv, K\., and her yrand- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



581 



fatlier, Fniiik, was a farmer there. Tlie family is 
of Frcncli descent,. Mr. Ilallcy came to Mis- 
.souri ill 1825, and located in Howard County', 
where he became an extensive and successful 
farmer. The mother, Ann Thomas, was born in 
Maryland, and was the daughter of Anthony 
Thomas, who settled in Missouri in 1818. Mrs. 
Ileryford is a graduate of the Woman 's Medical 
College of Philadelphia, and has practiced ever 
since completing her studies in 1868. She was 
the first lady-graduate south of the Mason and 
Dixon line. 

Our subject has been a prominent member of 
the School Board in Chariton Township. In 18.54 
he was nominated and elected on the Democratic 
ticket for the State Legislature, when he served 
one term and during the extra session. In 1880 he 
was again elected, and served one term and an extra 
session. As Chairman of several committees, he 
rendered eflicient service and ably represented his 
constituents. In 1888-89 he again served for one 
term and an extra session, and had the distinction 
of being the oldest member of the Assembly. He 
is justly proud of his record in the Legislature, as 
he succeeded in introducing and securing the pas- 
sage of some very important measures. These 
bills are on the statute books, and are among the 
most important p.issed while he was a member. 
During his last term he was Chairman of the 
Committee on Agriculture, a member of the 
Township Organiz.ation Committee and the Com- 
merce Committee. He has always been a Demo- 
crat, and has served as delegate to county. State 
and congressional conventions, and for years has 
been a member of the County Democratic Com- 
mittee. Tlie Baptist Church has in him a faithful 
member. Socially he is identified with the Ma- 
sonic fraternity-. 

Our subject is a man of whom the county may 
be proud, and a State composed of such men 
would be a commonwealth such as has adorned 
no age or country. As a Legislator none stood 
higher or bad more influence. If each child in 
the State who received benefit fron) the Swamp 
Land Funds (which bill he framed and worked 
through) would contribute a nickel, the amount 
thus secured would be sufficient to erect a monu- 



ment to his memory as tall, if not taller, than the 
one erected to the Father of his Country at Wash- 
ington, D. C. In 1849 Mr. Ileryford made the 
California trip, going overland with the vast 
army of emigrants then seeking fortunes in tlie 
Far AVest,and engaged in mining in California for 
about a year. He is a very pleasant, genial, gen- 
erous and public-spirited man. In 1890 he lo- 
cated in the city of Salisbury, and there he now 
resides, unharassed by the cares of an active busi- 
ness life. 



]jl AMES WILLIAMS, a retired agriculturist, 
for more than two score-years numbeied 
among the successful farmers of Clay County' 
Mo., has ever been closely- identified with 
the best interests of his neighborhood, and is 
widely known as a man of ability and sterling in- 
tegrity of character. Mr. Williams was born in 
Bourbon County, near Paris, Ky. His parents, 
James and Elizabeth (Wright) Williams, were na- 
tives of Bourbon County, and were born respect- 
ively in 1797 and 1798, April 11. The paternal 
grandparents were Benjamin F. and Araminta 
(Mathena) Williams. 

Grandfather Williams was born and reared in 
Baltimore, Md., and served bravely in the Revo- 
lutionary War. His wife was also a native of Mary- 
laud. The paternal great-grandfather was a na- 
tive of England, and emigrating to America before 
the colonists engaged in the struggles for inde- 
pendence, located in Maryland, and became the 
owner of one hundred and sixty acres where IJalti- 
moi"e now stands. John Williams reared but two 
children, John and B. F. The last-named enjoyed 
but very limited advantages for an education, be- 
ing but seventeen years of age when he fought for 
God and liberty in the conflict of 1876. lie also 
served as Captain of a pack train, furnishing pro- 
visions for the soldiers in the War of 1812. 

Grandfather Williams married in Maryland, and 
at once made his home in Kentuckj', locating in a 
very early day in Bourbon Count}', where, sur- 
vouiidi'd by the Indians, he energetically engaged 



582 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



in the peaceful pursuit of agriculture. Later in 
life he removed to Ohio, and died in Highland 
Country, at the advanced age of ninelj'-eight years. 
His four children were, James, the father of our 
subject; Eliot; Mary; and Nancy, the wife of Joel 
Elkshire. James AVilliams, Sr., received only a 
rudimentary education, having little or no oppor- 
tunities for instruction, but grew to manhood self- 
reliant and intelligent, and at eighteen years of 
age enlisted in the War of 1812. lie gave a year 
of faithful service, and was at Ft. Maulden when 
peace was declared. Returning home, he learned 
the carpenter's trade, and after a comparatively 
brief apprenticeship, started in life for himself, and 
for a number of years engaged in business as a car- 
penter and builder. 

In 1836, James Williams purchased a farm in 
Bourbon County, and made his home there until 
his death. He had in earlj' life married the daugh- 
ter of Robert Wright, and unto him and his esti- 
mable wife were born seven children: Julia, de- 
ceased, the wife of John T. Purdy; John, deceased; 
Martha, deceased, the second wife of John T. 
Purdy; James, our subject; William; Horace, de- 
ceased; Susan, Mrs. William Hamilton; and Eliza- 
beth, who married William Sconce. The father 
of our subject was a resolute and enterprising citi- 
zen, and took an active interest in politics, being 
in early manhood a Whig. After an honored life 
he passed away in 1861. His wife, who survived 
him many years, lived to be ninet3-two years of 
age. 

Our subject attended the district schools of his 
boyhood home, and when twenty years of age was 
apprenticed to a carpenter, and after acquiring the 
trade followed the occupation of a builder in Ken- 
tucky for eight years. In 18.51, he came to Platte 
County, Mo., and for one year lived upon a rented 
farm. He then came to Clay County, and bought 
one hundred and twenty acres of mostly un- 
improved land, to which he has added until he 
now owns in his present farm two hundred acres, 
nearly all of which are under a high state of 
cultivation. In 1851, Mr. Williams was married, 
in Kentucky, to Miss Doeia C. Judy, a daughter 
of Alexander and Susan (Bradley) Judy, all na- 
tives of Kentucky. 



Soon after marriage, our subject and his wife 
made their home in Missouri, and here were 
blessed by the birth of six children: John T.; Julia, 
Mrs. Robert Lillie, formerly a resident of Clay 
County, but now deceased; Daniel W.; Elizabeth, 
Mrs. Perry Boggess, deceased; James, deceased; 
and Mary F., wife of Samuel J. Brooks. The faith- 
ful companion of his joys and sorrows passed away 
in 1865. Mr. Williams has never married again, 
but continued to remain upon the old farm until 
1892, when he went to the home of his daughters, 
Mrs. Brooks. Politicall3-, our subject has been a 
lifetime Democrat, and an earnest advocate of the 
principles of that party. Devoting himself un- 
weariedly to the intelligent cultivation of the soil, 
and achieving success as a stock-raiser, he has made 
his upward way, and enjoys the confidence and 
esteem of a large circle of old-time friends. 



EVI M. METTLER, our subject, is a man of 
great energy, whose success in life proves that 
a clear head and determined purpose will win. 
He is proprietor of the Brookfield Iron Works, which 
he removed to this city November 21, 1891, from 
Carrollton, Mo., at which place he had started in 
business in 1879, a stranger to everyone and with 
a family of seven dependent upon him. Yet with 
but eighty-five cents in money, a kit of tools and a 
brave heart he opened a shop. Soon he attracted 
business by his superior work; and by close ap- 
plication and rare skill he rapidly established a 
large trade. Other shops coming in about him, 
and the suj)erior advantages of Brookfield being 
proved to him, it being in need of a foundrv, he, 
as stated., came to this city. 

Mr. Mettler has about 110,000 invested in his 
plant, with a building 94x20 feet in dimensions, 
and two stories high, with an addition 30x65 feet, 
one story high. He makes a specialty of house 
fronts, window-guard grating, tie posts, window 
weights, bridges and cast washers, sugar kettles, 
farm bells, dog irons, rub irons, iron fencing, 
giate bars and all kinds of iron and brass castings. 
Our suljject was b(jrn in New Jersey in 1850 and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



583 



as early as tlie age of thirteen evinced a decided 
talent for nieclianics, to which lie gave full rein 
and acquired a thorough knowledge of the iron 
worker's and machinist's trade. After attaining 
his manhood he filled the important position of 
superintendent of brass works for seven liundred 
miles of the Lake Shore it Michigan Southern 
Railroad. At CarroUton he was chief of the fire 
department and that city owes to him the fine sys- 
tem of water works it possesses. It was he who 
stimulated the Missouri Firemen's Association, and 
but for him it is doubtful if it had ever had an 
existence. So public spirited, active and energetic 
is he that he is known far and wide as the "North 
Missouri Boomer." 

Mr. Mettler served for eight years as chief of 
the CarroUton fire department, for which he did 
not receive one penny of compensation, and he 
brought It up into the most efficient service of any 
in the State. He is now Vice-president of the 
State Association of Firemen, and is connected 
with the fire department of Brookfield. Mr. Met- 
tler was with the Lake Shore road three years and 
seven months. He went to Hannibal, Mo., from 
Adrian, Mich., and first located in business for 
himself at CarroUton. At the early age of twenty 
he was a locomotive engineer upon the Bellefon- 
taine road and continued an engineer f<)r several 
years; and it can be truthfully said of him that he 
always held the confidence and esteem of his em- 
ployers, in whatever capacity he served. His busi- 
ness at Brookfield is steadily growing, eight men 
being in his emploj'. He is a whole-souled, hon- 
est, good fellow, and has the happy facult}- of 
making friends and holding trade. 



y"") F. NELSON, M. D., who received the de- 
gree of Doctor of Medicine from two noted 
,, , institutions of learning, is a prominent 
agriculturist and stock-raiser, and also a leading 
and influential business man of Gallatin Township, 
Clay Count}'. His fine farm is located in town- 
ship 50, range 32, and is adjacent to the flourish- 
ing town of Hirniinghain. The panntsof our sub- 



ject were Henry and Catherine (Ingram) Nelson, 
who were the father and mother of three children: 
Mary, the wife of B. F. S. Gordon, a well-known 
and highly respected farmer and stock-raiser of 
Liberty; Lelia, who lives in Maryville, this State; 
and W. F., our subject. His paternal grandfather, 
William Nelson, was a large land-holder in Ireland, 
and was a man of ability and superior attainments. 
• Henry Nelson, the father of our subject, was born 
in County Derry, Ireland, in the year 1819, and re- 
ceived an excellent education in Glasgow I'niver- 
sit3', Scotland, from which he graduated with honor 
and with the degree of M. D. He was a man of 
prominence in the Queen's dominions, finely edu- 
cated and energetic, and having inherited the self- 
reliant attributes of his forefathers, he earlj' recog- 
nized the value of our Republican institutions, 
and decided to emigrate to America. Crossing 
the Atlantic, he first settled in Virginia, where he 
became the owner of a large amount of land, and 
was there interested in oil. In 1865 he came to this 
State, locating in Cla}' County, where he owned nine 
hundred and seven acres of arable land, which he de- 
voted to the uses of general agriculture and stock- 
raising. In his political aftiliatious he was a Dem- 
ocrat. He was a born leader, possessed of much 
native wit and eloquence, and for thirty successive 
years held the honored position of Judge. 

Fraternal!}-, Henry Nelson was a Freemason of 
the Ro3'al Arch degree and was prominent in the 
councils of the society. He and his wife, Catherine 
(Ingram) Nelson, were active members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church and ever foremost in 
the promotion of its good works. Mrs. Nelson 
was born in 1813, and is now residing at Mary- 
ville, Nodaway County, Mo., but her husband 
passed awa^- in St. Louis in 1869, after a career of 
usefulness which commanded the respect of all 
who knew him. 

In the town of Ripley, W. Va., Dr. W. F. Nelson, 
whose name heads this sketch, was born in 1849. lie 
received a thorough education, stud.ying at Spauld- 
ing's College, in Kansas City and graduating from 
a Kentucky I'niversity, afterward completing the 
study of his profession in the University of St. 
Louis. The highly improved farm of our subject 
contains three hundred and eighty-nine acres, and 



584 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



beside its cultivation lie is interested in merchan- 
dise at Paradise, Clay Count}-, and is also tlie owner 
of a flour and saw mill. In addition to his other 
accomplishments the Doctor has also .acquired 
the profession of a locomotive engineer. 

In 1870 Dr. Nelson was united in marriage 
with Miss Eliza A. Fole_y, of Platte County, one 
of a family of nine children and a daughter of 
James and R. A. Foley. The father was a Baptist 
preacher and a man of undoubted ability- and up- 
right character. The pleasant home of our subject 
and his estimable wife has been blessed with four 
children, three of whom are dead. The surviv- 
ing son, Benjamin, was born in the year 1873 and 
lives under the parental roof. The residence of 
Mr. and Mrs. Nelson is in Liberty, and their hos- 
pitable home is alwa3-s open to their large circle of 
friends. Our subject is connected with the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, is a member of the 
Grand Lodge of Missouri, and has filled the various 
Chairs of the lodge. Politically, he has always 
been a pronounced Democrat and is greatly inter- 
ested in the outcome of local and national issues. 
Busil}' engaged in the duties of his various enter- 
prises, Mr. Nelson yet finds time to assist in the 
advancement of the leading and progressive move- 
ments of the State and c<)unty and is known far 
and wide as a public-spirited citizen. 



^^EORGE ALLEN SWITZER. One of the 
(|[ (~ — most prominent and successful farmers and 
^^^^ stock-raisers in Ray County is the gentle- 
man whose name is given above. He is a native 
of this county, and was born on the 2d of March, 
1848. He is a son of John and Betsey E. 
(Alexander) Switzer, the former born in Ohio 
in the year 1806. The paternal grandfather of our 
subject emigrated from Germany to the United 
States and located in Ohio at an early day. There 
his decease took place. John Switzer is the 
only surviving member of a familj' of six. He 
was reared on a farm in Ohio, and at an earlj' age 
became familial' witli the duties of pioneer life. 



He came to Missouri in 1840, bringing hither his 
wife and three sons in a wagon. 

The Switzer family located in Grape Grove 
Township, near Millville, and there John Switzer 
entered a tract of one hundred and sixt}- acres of 
Government land. The feet of but few white 
men had as yet trodden the forest of this locality 
when the family located here, but there were deer 
and wild hogs and wolves in large numbers. Their 
first home was a log cabin with three rooms, 
which stood in the midst of a heavily-timbered 
tract of land. Mr. Switzer and his sons were 
fond of hunting, and m.any of the denizens of the 
forest fell victims to their rifles. He cleared and 
improved his farm, and then moved farther north 
and purchased a farm on the northern line of the 
county, where our subject now lives. In 1849, 
when the gold excitement was at its height, his 
three eldest sons started for the Pacific Coast, 
crossing the plains with an ox-team. The young- 
est, Jackson, was crippled there in a mine. The 
second remained in California for twentj--one 
3'ears and was a successful miner. He finally re- 
turned to his old home, but died soon afterward. 
The eldest brother is now a leading business man 
in San Francisco, having been a very successful 
merchant. 

The remainder of the Switzer family remained 
intact. Mr. Switzer, Sr., was twice married, his 
first wife having been Betsey E. Alexander, of 
Ohio. She died at the age of eighty-four years, 
having been the mother of ten children, seven 
of whom lived to be grown. The father's second 
marriage has occurred quite recently. The orig- 
inal of this sketch was born in the log house 
which was built by his father in the early resi- 
dence of the family here. He was reared on the 
farm and had but limited educational advantages. 
His school da3's usually extended over only three 
months of the j^ear. He remained at home until 
1875, and gave his attention to farming and stock- 
raising. 

Mr. Switzer was married November 22, 1888, to 
Miss Lulu Baker, of Caldwell County, Mo., and a 
daughter of Thomas and Mary Baker, both of the 
same locality. The former is now a prominent 
farmer on the northern line of this county. The 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



one son tliat luis graced the Switzer family bj' his 
presence made his advent therein August 29, 
1889, and was christened Grafton. His father ex- 
pects to bring him up as a loyal Republican, being 
a devoted follower of that party himself. Both 
Mr. and Mrs. Switzer are members of the Method- 
ist Episcopal Church. The five hundred and 
sixty acres of land which our subject owns are 
among the choicest in the county. The place is 
btautified by a large residence of modern stj-le, 
which is very attractive from an architectural 
standpoint, and has a very beautiful interior 
finish. 



JOHN F. CRAIG, the energetic and enter- 
prising editor and proprietor of the Weekly 
Herald, an interesting and newsy paper, 
published in Smithville, Clay Count}-, has 
engaged prosperously in various occupations and 
is most thoroughlj' adapted to his present line of 
work. As an editor, he gives to the public mat- 
ters of general interest, concise in detail and clear 
in argument; and as proprietor and business man- 
ager, he furnishes a paper typograi)hically correct 
and of attractive appearance. It is perhaps unnec- 
essary to state that under tbe supervision of Mr. 
Craig the Weekly Herald is rapidly increasing its 
circulation and is one of the best advertising medi- 
ums in the county. Our subject was born in Mor- 
gan Countj-jOhio, near Union ville, in the year 1851, 
and is a son of Victor and Lucy (Coburn) Craig. 
Victor Craig was born in Virginia in 1811. His 
wife, who was a native of Ohio, was born in Mor- 
gan County, in 1816. The paternal grandparents 
were James and Action (Wells) Craig. 

Grandfather Craig was a farmer by occupation 
and one of the early pioneers of Ohio, having en- 
tered land in Morgan County in about 1800, and 
he continued to be a constant resident of the State 
until his death. The father of our subject was 
married in 1833 to the daughter of Absalom Co- 
burn, and was a devoted husband and son, remain- 
ing with his parents until their death. He was a 
successful agriculturist and inan.iged tlie old fam- 



ily homestead, which became his property by in- 
heritance, until the fall of 1856, when he jour- 
neyed to Appanoose County, Iowa, and there 
bought three hundred acres of land. In 1861 he 
enlisted in Company 15, .Second Missoiiri Slate 
Militia, Union army. He was engaged in the pur- 
suit of Gen. Price near Cape Girardeau for almost 
a year, and was taken sick in the swamps. Re- 
turning home, he died in October, 1863, and in his 
death the community lost a patriotic and upright 
citizen. Ift and his excellent wife had a family 
of eight children: Sarah W. became the wife of 
John D. Wells; Nicholas C. was wounded and died 
at the battle of Shiloh; Theodore C. died young; 
Rosamond, deceased, was the wife of Charles R. 
Rogers; Tem|ierance married Samuel Wardlaw, 
and is now deceased; Adaline, deceased, was the 
wife of James W. Edwards; John F. is our sub- 
ject; and James, the youngest of the family, is a 
successful farmer and stock-grower near Moulton, 
Iowa. 

John F. Craig was but eleven years of age when 
his father died, and the family was mainly de- 
pendent for their support upon the exertions of 
this young son and brother. The family lived 
upon the open prairie, and during the cold win- 
ter of 1863 and 1864, our subject had tlie hard 
labor of the farm as his portion of the work to 
attend to, and, adding wood-chopping to his other 
tasks, managed only occasionally to attend the 
district school. Through his individual efforts he 
was enabled to stud}- in the Moulton (Iowa) Nor- 
mal and High School. At the age of nineteen 
years he began teaching school and continued to 
work on the farm during vacation. This mode of 
combined occupations he continued for several 
years after he became the head of a family. 

Our subject was married April 11, 1876, and 
then went to Peru, Kan., where he taught two 
years. In March, 1879, he returned to Iowa and 
farmed upon a portion of the land which his father 
had left to him. He continued there, engaged 
mainly in the duties of agriculture, until 1888, 
when with his family he went to Kirksville, Mo., 
where he was engaged in different occupations. 
He remained in Kirksville until 1891, when he 
came to Smillivillc and bought iiis present udice 



586 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of E. W. Justus, who was editor of the Farmers' 
Herald, tlie paper then beiug an Alliance organ. 
The name of the paper was changed bj' its present 
owner, and the publication llien became Democratic 
in tone and sentiment. 

Our subject married Miss Elizabeth W. Hick- 
man, daughter of E. S. and Miriam (Keid) Hick- 
man, and into the pleasant home came four chil- 
dren, one of whom died young. The surviving 
sisters and only brother are: Leona, Dale H. and 
Carrie H., all bright and interesting young people, 
who with their parents enjoy the confidence and 
high regard of many friends. Mr. and Mrs. Craig 
are valued members of tlie Christian Church, and 
are liberal supporters in its good work. Our sub- 
ject is a member of the F. M. C. and Independ- 
ent Order of Odd Fellows of Smithville. Politi- 
cally, he is an active Democrat, and as an edito- 
rial leader of the people, strongly advocates the 
principles and platform of which Thomas Jeffer- 
son was tlie immortal founder. 



■^OHN G. JONES. Clay County boasts of 
many highly cultivated farms and beauti- 
ful homes, but among the number it would 
be difficult to find an estate upon which so 
many splendid improvements have been placed 
as upon the homestead belonging to Mr. Jones, 
located on sections 3 and 4, township 53, range 30. 
The situation of the farm is excellent, the soil 
fertile, and the various buildings of a substantial 
order and embellished with numerous modern con- 
veniences. 

Our subject is one of six children in the family 
of William and Kittie Jones, and of this number 
four are still living. The father served bravely as 
an officer in the War of 1812 and was a man of 
valor and patriotic spirit. About fifty-nine years 
have passed since he removed from Bourbon 
County, Kj'., to Missouri and settled near Platts- 
burgh, where he owned one hundred and sixty 
acresof good land. Afterward he purchased a farm 
consisting of one hundred and sixtj' acres near 



Liberty, Mo. He was thrice married, his first union 
taking place in Kentucky-. The parents of our 
subject are both deceased, the father dying in 1864. 

Born in Monroe County, Mo., March 1, 1834, 
our subject was reared to maturity in Clinton 
Count}', Mo., and enjo^'ed the ordinary school ad- 
vantages, of which he availed himself to the ut- 
most. He participated actively in the Civil War, 
in which he enlisted as a member of Company B, 
John T. Hughes' regiment. Slack's division, and 
engaged in the battle of Lexington, where his reg- 
iment assisted in taking the fort bv rolling bales 
of hemp in front of them and approaching in that 
w.iy. At Prairie Ridge they were also victorious. 
Gen. Price was superseded by Gen. Van Dorn, 
which explains the reason for the troops being 
called back. During the last-named engagement 
the men on both sides of our subject were killed 
but he escaped uninjured. At the close of the 
war lie returned to his home. 

In 1870 Mr. Jones married Miss Susan Bowles, 
who died five years after their union. June 6, 
1877, our subject and Miss Nannie O. Campbell 
were united in marriage, and thej' are the parents 
of one child, Georgia Anna, who was born June 
30, 1879. Mrs. Jones was born Januaiy 29, 1839, 
and is one of twelve children born to William and 
Selina (Watson) Campbell, natives of Madison 
County, Ky., who removed to Missouri in 1858 and 
now reside in Clinton County. Mr. Campbell is 
a prominent man in his localit}- and is well 
known as a successful agriculturist and stock- 
raiser. For many years he served with ability as 
Justice of the Peace and his decisions were so fair 
that few cases were ever appealed. In political 
belief he is a Democrat. He and his wife are mem- 
bers of the Christian Church and are foremost in 
the promotion of the work of that religious organ- 
ization. 

The pleasant homestead of Mr. Jones contains 
two hundred and forty-five acres, all under a high 
state of improvement and denoting in all regards 
the excellent care and management of a thrift}' 
owner. Aside from the general pursuit of agri- 
culture, Mr. Jones devotes considerable time and 
attention to stock-raising and has on his farm some 
fine-grade cattle and horses. He and his estima- 



JPORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



589 



ble wife are members of the Cliristian Church and 
active in all its enterprises. Politically, he is a 
Democrat, a strong believer in the principles of 
that party and deeplj- interested in the outcome 
of national and local issues. 

A resident of this part of Missouri during his 
entire life, Mr. Jones has ever aided in local prog- 
ress and has closely identified himself with the 
growing interests of his neighborhood and vicin- 
ity. He is widely known and universally honored 
as a public-spirited and energetic citizen, and a 
man of undoubted ability and rare integrity of 
character, whose position is among the most suc- 
cessful and progressive agriculturists of the count}'. 



'ji? AWRENC;E ZUERKER. This well-known 
ll ^. German-American resides in the vicinity' of 
j lLA\^ Liberty Landing. He possesses the integrity, 
intelligence and system that are the especial char- 
acteristics of the Germans, and that almost invari- 
ably bring their possessor independence and pros- 
perity. He was born on the River Rhine in Bava- 
ria, Germany, and under the capable instruction 
of his father, Peter Adam Zuerker, he was reared 
to a knowledge of farming and the manufacture of 
wine. Peter A. Zuerker was born and reared in 
German}' and was there united in marriage with 
Miss Gertrude Landrj', who was of Swiss-French 
descent. He died in 1843 at a ripe old age, his 
wife's death occurring when she was about sixty- 
eight years of age. 

Lawrence Zuerker was the 3'oungest of three 
children. His brother and sister are now deceased, 
the former dying from the effect of exposure while 
serving in the German Revolution. In that war 
our subject was also a participant, being a warm 
espouser of the cause of the Revolutionists, they 
claiming that the ruling power should be in tiie 
hands of the people instead of the Emperor. When 
their flag went down, Lawrence Zuerker, being a 
lover of liberty, determined to seek his fortune in 
free America, and after converting his i^roperty into 



money, which amounted to about $1,.500 (German 
money), he set sail for America in the latter part 
of 1850. The voyage hither occupied about three 
months and was made memorable by many thrilling 
experiences. The first two years of his residence in 
this country were spent in Louisiana, after which 
he went to Louisville, K}'., and worked at spinning 
thread in a cotton factory. In 1857 he came to 
Libert}' Landing, Mo., and for some time there- 
after worked in a rope factory. Later he pur- 
chased a small tract of land in the vicinit}-, planted 
a vineyard and engaged in the manufacture of 
wine, which he had learned from his father in the 
land of his birth. He has since greatly increased 
his vineyard, until it now covers a goodl}' portion 
of his fifty-acre farm on section 29. His annual 
output often reaches thousands of gallons, and 
being of a fine qualitj' it finds a ready sale at the 
highest market price. 

During the Civil War in this countr}', Mr. Zuer- 
ker was a member of the State Militia. Although 
in no active engagement in this struggle, he bears 
the scar of a terrible sabre wound which he re- 
ceived during a cavalry charge at the battle of Lewis 
Harbor, opposite Baden on the Rhine, in the Ger- 
man Revolution. Although a Democrat, he is not 
an active partisan in polities and votes for the man 
whom lie considers best fitted for the office, irre- 
spective of part}'. He is a member of Lodge No. 
49, 1. O. O. F., of Liberty, Mo. The wife of our 
subject bore the maiden name of Margaret Fischer 
and was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1837. She 
came to this country with her sister Frankie, who 
died in St. Louis. Mo. 

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Zuerker has resulted 
in the birth of nine children, one of whom died in 
infancy, and Emma, an amiable young lad}' of 
eighteen summers, died in 1891, her illness lastinj;; 
only a few hours. John B., who was born in 1859, 
is a telegraph operator by occupation and the owner 
of five hundred and seventy acres of land. He is 
unmarried and resides with his parents. Celine, 
who was born in 1891, has been an invalid from 
rheumatism for the past twelve years, but through 
all her suffering has been cheerful, amiable and 
thoughtful. Lizzie, who was born in 18C5, is the 
wife of Ed Birscn, of Bloomfield. Iowa. Maggie 



590 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



was bom iu 1867; Lillie, in 1869; Aggie, in 1871; 
and Minnie in 1875. All the members of the 
famil.y are well educated and their home life is an 
exceptionally happy one. They are members of 
tiie Catholic Church. 



■|^EV. JAMES W. RAMSEY, Pastor of the 
llUf Metliodist Episcopal Church South, and of 
{E\ Little Hill Church, is a fair type of the 
"^cultured, polished Southern gentleman, 
celebrated in song and prose. Mr. Ramsey was 
born near Union, Monroe County, W. Va., at the 
head waters of the great Kanawha River, June 20, 
1846. His father, Joseph Ramsey, was bom in the 
same place, December 24, 1818. The grandfather, 
Daniel Ramsey, was also a native of the same place, 
although of Scotch descent, and became a farmer 
of Monroe County. The latter was the youngest 
of a large family, and served in the War of 1812. 
His sou, the father of our subject, was also a farmer 
in West Virginia, but in 1866 removed to Fayette 
County, W. Va., where he bought a farm, on which 
he still resides. He is a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church South, in whicli he has been a 
Class-leader and officer for years. The mother of 
our subject, Julia A. Pine, was bom in the same 
county as her husband.- Her father, a farmer in 
tlie county, died when she was very young, and 
she was reared by an uncle, James Pine. Six chil- 
dren were born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Jo- 
seph Ramsey, all of whom are grown up and liv- 
ing, and of these six our subject is the eldest. 

James W. Ramsey was reared on the farm, and 
received the schooling afforded by the common 
district school. He remained at home until he had 
reached the age of twenty-two, when he left the 
parental roof to attend a private school, after 
which he taught school in Fayette County. In 
order to perfect himself, he again attended school, 
after which he taught for a period of two terms. 
Mr. Ramsey then turned his attention to agricul- 
tural pursuits, and engaged in farming. Upon the 
outbreak of the Rebellion, he found his sympathies 
were with the Southerners, so June 1, lHGl,assoon 



as old enougii to fight for the cause he so ardently 
supported, he volunteered in the Confederate 
army, enlisting in Capt. Bryant's company of 
West Virginia Confederate Artillery, which was 
ordered into the Valley of Virginia June 5. Our 
subject participated in the battles of Piedmont, 
Winchester, Fishei 's Hill, Cedar Creek, and other 
minor engagements, fourteen in all, and remained 
in active service until the close of the war, when 
he returned home, never having been paroled. 

After his return home, being then little more 
than eigiiteen years of age, he raised a crop before 
his father removed to Fayette County, in which 
place he alternately attended and taught school, as 
before stated, until 1873, with intervals of farm- 
ing. During this time he had been studying for 
tlie ministry, and in 1871 he assisted R. C. Wise- 
man as a preacher. In 1873, he joined the Con- 
ference, and his first charge was the Wayne Cir^ 
cuit, on the Ohio River, where he remained two 
years and then was placed in charge of the Hurri- 
cane Circuit, in Putnam County, W. Va., remain- 
ing there three years, during which time he erected 
a church. The next place assigned to him was 
the Barboursville (W. Va.) Circuit, where he con- 
tinued two years, being then sent to Guyandotte, 
W. Va., for three years. In 1883 he was trans- 
ferred to the Missouri Conference, at Salisbury, 
and as the congregation at this place was veiy 
small, not exceeding flftj- members, he served in 
six other places for one year. The other appoint- 
ments which he filled were: the Richmond. Ray 
County, for two years; the Clarksville, Pike 
Count}', for three years; and the Sturgeon, Boone 
County, for three years. In 1892 he was again 
sent to Salisbury and Little Hill, where he is at 
present. The meinbersliip has increased from fifty 
to one hundred and lift_y, and things are in a 
Hourishing condition. The church in which he 
ministers is known as Pleasant Woods Church, and 
was built in 1883. 

Mr. Ramsey was married in Charleston, W. Va., 
September 1, 1878, to Miss Annie E. Brawley, who 
was born in Kanawha County, a daughter of 
Henry and Susan (Snyder) Brawley, of the same 
county, where the former engaged in farming. 
Both (lied ill December, 1891, within three weeks 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



591 



of each other. Mrs. Ramsey, who was educated at 
Cliark'stoii, is the second in a family of nine chil- 
(h'en, all with one exception, living. One brother, 
.lolm M. Brawley, met his deatii by accident, Feb- 
rnary 1, 1893. Four children have been born to 
Mr. and Mrs. Ramsey, namely: William M., at- 
tending Salisbur}- Acadeni}-; Ilenr^' B. and Stella 
L., attending public school; and Taylor, at home. 
Mr. Ramsey is a member of the Ancient Free i Ac- 
cepted Masons. Politically, he supports the party 
lliat makes the abolition of the liquor traffic its 
platform — the Prohibition party. Although but a 
boy at the close of the war, yet he bore a hand in 
some of the great battles of that contest, and after 
his cause failed he settled down and has since lived 
tiie life of a kind-hearted Christian gentleman. 
Much good has been accomplished by this esti- 
mable man in his untiring efforts in behalf of his 
different charges, and everywhere he has been he 
has made friends for himself among his parishion- 
ers. At present he is directing ever}' effort toward 
the upbuilding of his two churches, which are pro- 
gressing finely under his control. 



ON. WILLIAM E. FOWLER, Probate Judge 
of Clay County, was born in Ohio Ma}- 19, 
18G1, and is the son of Joseph and Mar}' 
(Fish) Fowler. The father and mother are 
residents of their native State, Ohio, where Joseph 
P\)wler is widely known as a furniture dealer and 
undertaker of Washington County. The maternal 
grandparents were born in Maryland. The pater- 
nal grandfather was a native of Massachusetts and 
the paternal grandmother of Loudoun County, 
\'a. Judge Fowler is one of five children: Ella, 
Florence M., La Ville, our subject and Homer S. 
comprising the sons and daughters who were wont 
to gather in the old Ohio homestead. Florence 
M. married the Rev. John M. Archer, of Medicine 
Lodge, Kan.; LaYillc H. is at home, in Beverly, 
Ohio; Ella resides with her parents on the old 
homestead; and Homer S. lives in Liberty, Mo. 

Our subject spent the days of his b03-hood mainly 
in the excellent schools of the liome locality, and 



completed his studies in the college at Beverly, 
Ohio. He beg.an the study of law in the oflice of 
Waj- ct Way, of Marietta, C)liio, and remained with 
these eminent legal practitioners for one j'ear. He . 
then went to Baltimore, Md., where he read law 
with Hon. Francis P. Stevens, a prominent lawyer* 
of that city, and was admitted to the Bar of the 
Supreme Court of Maryland, commonl}- called the 
Court of Appeals. In February, 1883, our subject 
came to ftlissouri, and hjcating in Excelsior Springs, 
entered into the practice of law in Clay and Ray 
Counties. At Excelsior Springs, Mo., in 1886, 
William E. Fowler and Mrs. Kate D. Finn were 
united in marriage. Our subject and his charming 
and estimable wife are the parents of two children, 
a son and daughter. IMaydee was born August 
14, 1887, and Edward Dodge was born May 8, 
1890. Mrs. Fowler was born and educated in To- 
peka, Kan., and by her first marriage became the 
mother of one son, Carl, who was born in 1883. 

Judge Fowler served as Cit}' Attorney and 
Mayor of Excelsior Springs, Mo. In 1890, he was 
elected Probate Judge and has given general satis- 
faction in that office. In religious conviction, he 
is a Presbyterian, and in political affiliation is a 
Democrat of the Jeffersonian t3-pe, sincere and 
true. Fraternally, he is a member of Lodge No. 
207, A. F. & A. M.,of Excelsior Springs, and is also 
a brother in Lodge No. 165, K. P., of Excelsior 
Springs, and within these honored bodies possesses 
a host of friends. 



^^ HARLES W. NORTHCOTT is the editor of 
fl( ^ the Sumner Star, and has for a number of 
^^/ years made his home in Sumner. He is a 
son of Benjamin F. and Elizabeth A. (Christy) 
Northcott, and w.as born June 24, 18.')4, in 
Pike County, III., where his earh- childhood was 
passed. AVith his parents he emigrated to Linn 
Count}', Mo., in 1863, and received his education 
in the public schools of that locality. He after- 
ward attended the State University of Missouri. 
On the completion of his studies Mr. Northcott 



592 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



engaged in teaching school for a number of years, 
continuing in that line until 1882. 

On September 15, 1878, Mr. Northcott was united 
in marriage with Miss Florence Atkins, of Sullivan 
Count}', Mo. Of their union have been born two 
children, Georgia B. and F. Franklin. Mr. North- 
cott's good education and practical experience as 
a teacher well fitted him to adopt the profession 
to which he is now devoting his best energies. In 
1882 he established the Linn County Jlieics at Lin- 
neus, which paper he conducted with his father's 
assistance until 188-t, at which time he accepted 
an appointment in the railwaj' mail service, dis- 
posing of his interest in the News to D. B. Ormis- 
ton, who is the present proprietor. 

With the change of administration, Mr. North- 
cott went out of office in December, 1885, and in 
the following year became editor of the Browning 
Jiecord, whicli paper he conducted until the spring 
of 1891. He then sold that paper and established 
the Sumner Stm-, of which he is now the proprietor 
and editor. Politically, he is a stanch Republican, 
and his paper justly ranks among the leading 
ones of the county. The paper presents to its 
readers both local and foreign news, conveying 
the latest intelligence of events happening at 
home and abroad, and the editorial columns be- 
speak the well-posted and logical mind of the pro- 
prietor, who keeps thoroughly abreast of the times. 
Mr. Northcott is a member of the Knights of 
Pythias, and is devoted to the interests of his fel- 
low-citizens and the county in which he makes his 
home. 



THOMAS FOSTER, a prominent citizen of 
Chariton County, Mo., and the largest 
grain-dealer in the county, is the subject of 
this sketch. If there is a pardonable pride, it cer- 
tainly is the pride of ancestry. To have had a 
grandfather is something to remember with a feel- 
ing of stabilit}'; but to be able to trace a lineage 
back six or seven generations is what the subject 
of this sketch can do. All along the line he finds 
names whicli were carried by lioiioiable and up- 



right men. The family coat of arms had for its 
principal feature an elephant, and all the represen- 
tative Fosters became honorable and wealthy. 

The great-grandfather of our subject, Thomas 
Foster, was born on Middlesex Moor, where he 
later had a large farm and became a wealthy man. 
His son, Francis, was also born in England, in York- 
shire, and was a land-owner and a member of the 
English gentry. His possessions aggregated some 
one thousand acres of land, which steadily in- 
creased in value. He was a very prominent mem- 
ber of the Episcopalian Church. Later on in life 
he became the owner of the Greengates House, and 
did business there for many 3'ears, and there he 
died at the age of seventy-five years. 

The maiden name of tlie mother of our subject 
was Martha Cryr. She was born in Leeds, Eng- 
land, and was a daughter of Francis Cryr, a mer- 
chant of Leeds. She died at the age of seventy- 
five years, having been the mother of ten 
children, all of whom grew to maturity. Thomas, 
our subject, was born near Leeds, in York- 
shire, England, March 22, 1835, and was the 
only son of the family and the onl}' one to 
come to this country. He was reared on the 
farm, had good school facilities, and learned the 
milling trade, continuing at it for three years. 
Then he attended the Scarborough Park Academy, 
and after finishing his course there he came to this 
country. 

In Ma}', 1856, our subject landed on these 
shores. He had left Liverpool on the sailing-ves- 
sel "Star of the West," and after a passage of six 
weeks reached New York, proceeding at once to 
St. Louis. A stranger in a strange land though he 
was, he had pluck and energy, and as he was 
master of his trade, he soon found work in a mill 
in Troy, 111., where he remained for a few months. 
Then he was employed in the Empire Mill at St. 
Louis, for four years, and after this he managed 
the mill at Lebanon, St. Clair Count}', 111., for two 
years. By this time he was ready to purchase a 
business of his own, and tiie mill at Moscow, Lin- 
coln County, Mo., being for sale, he bought it, and 
for three years did a good business there. 

In 1869 our subject sold his purchase and 
bought a mill property near Iluntsville, K.Tiidolph 



PORTKAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



593 



County, and located on the east fork, the mills be- 
ing called the Randolph Star Mills. In 1876 these 
nulls burned down, and as our subject was unfor- 
tunate in having no insurance, he discontinued 
work there, came into Salisbury and there ran the 
old mill for seven years. At the expiration of 
that time he began to buy grain, which business 
he has continued up to the present day, showing 
so much good judgment that he has been enabled 
to make it very profitable. During 1891 he shipped 
two liundred and sixt3'-four cars of wheat from 
tills place. This year, in about two months, he 
shipped one hundred and ten cars of wheat, ship- 
[uiig to St. Louis and Chicago markets. He is not 
only the largest shipper, but also buys grain on 
the branch roads, the Shannondale and Forest 
Green. His location for business is fortunate, his 
warehouse being on Second Street and Wabash. 
Mr. Foster is a stockholder in the Northern Mis- 
souri Institute and is a member of the Board of 
Directors of the same; he also holds stock in the 
academy. He was one of the organizers of the 
building of the Opera House and is a member of 
the Salisbury' Opera House Company'. 

Mr. Foster displa^'ed his usual good judgment 
in the selection of a life companion. He was mar- 
ried in St. Louis in 1856, to Miss Elnore Leach, a 
native of Yorkshire, ilngland, and a daughter of 
Timothy Leach, who passed his last years in Amer- 
ica. Of the three children born to this excellent 
couple, only one, Dixie, is living, but Mr. and 
Mrs. Leach have been like parents to the four chil- 
dren of Mrs. Leach's brother. Timothy Leach 
lives in this county, and is engaged in bujing 
grain for our subject; the second adopted child is 
now Mrs. Wheeland,of Moberly, Mo.; and Frances 
M. and Stonewall J. are at home. 

Socially, Mr. Foster affiliates with the Indeiien- 
dent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he is Past 
Noble. For four years he served on the County 
Council and was President of the Board for one 
term and a member of important committees. 
While in Iluntsville, he was a member of the 
School Board. His residence is on Second Street, 
where he is pleased to see his friends and where 
all are sure of a plea.sant greeting. Always a 
Democrat in politics, he is too genial and agree- 



able a man to force his opinions upon any one 
differing with him. In his religious belief, the 
grand old church, the home of so many of the best 
of the land, claims his dutiful allegiance, and he is 
proud to proclaim that he is an Episcopalian. 



IIAKLES R. IIOLMAN. To receive the ap- 
proval of the public in an unqualified man- 
ner and to be faithful to the trust assigned 
are marks of worthy manhood. Such may truth- 
fully be said of Charles R. Holman, Collector of 
Kay County. He was born in the city of Rich- 
mond, Kay County, Mo., April 15, 1860, being the 
third son among eleven children in the family of 
Wilson K. and Maria K. (January) Holman. The 
father of our subject is a merchant of Richmond, 
who came from his native State, Tennessee, when 
a young man and settled on a farm in Ray County, 
Mo., there remaining for several years, when he re- 
moved to Richmond, to enter the hardware and 
furniture business, which he continues to manage. 
The mother of our subject is the daughter of 
Ephraim J. January-. 

Our subject was reared and educated in the city 
of Richmond, first attending a private school, and 
later the Richmond High School. Subsequently, 
he was employed as stock clerk and salesman for 
two years in the wholesale house of Tootle, Hosea 
& Co., St. Joseph, Mo. In the spring of 1883 he 
went to St. Louis, where he was employed as trav- 
eling saleman by the Bryan Brown Shoe Company, 
with which he remained until the fall of 1885, 
when he returned to Richmond. He accepted the 
position of Deputy to John R. Green, Circuit Clerk, 
and served in that capacity until March I, 1887, 
when he was appointed Deputy County Collector 
under his uncle, A\''illiam A. Holman, then the 
County Collector of Ray. Elected County Collec- 
tor on the Democratic ticket in 1889, he was re- 
elected without opposition upon tlie expiration of 
his term in 1889. 

In October, 1889, Mr. Ilolinan married Miss 
Beatrice Craven, of Ray County, daughter of the 
late John N. Craven, and one child, Lillian, is the 



594 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



result of this union. Our subject is a member of 
Richmond Lodge No. 57, A. F. & A. M. He and 
his wife are worthy members of the Cliristian 
Church. Their residence, a pleasant, homelike 
place, is situated on Siiaw Street. 

ihJt. ^^- MAGGIE E. SOMERVILLE, A. B., 
one of the most popular and prosperous 
citizens of the city of Salisbury, Mo., is 
the subject of this notice. Not among 
women of the ability of Mrs. Somerville will be 
found those who complain of the present position 
of the sex. Her success lias been in a measure due 
to the fact that she has understoood her business, 
and has so conducted it that no one could accuse 
her of want of judgment, nor of being lacking in 
those cominercial qualities in wliich the sterner sex 
is supposed to excel. 

On both sides of her family Mrs. Somerville 
traces her descent from English stock. Iler pater- 
nal grandfather was descended from English par- 
ents, and was born in Virginia, near the city of 
Richmond, where he became a carriage-maker. His 
son, Robert Sidney Robinson, was born in Virginia 
also, in the beautiful city of Richmond, a city 
which touches the Southern heart more than any 
other. It bears a name dear also to the English 
race, a name which was bestowed by them on this 
stately citj- at its birth as the most honored one 
they could give. Once it was the Mecca of the 
South, the center of fashion, of amusement, of ed- 
ucation and aristocracy. 

In this goodly city the father of our subject was 
born, and under the care of his father became ac- 
quainted with his trade of carriage-making, but 
later took up the study of law and practiced in 
the State. When the Mexican War broke out he 
entered the service, and while on duty on the ship 
"Congress" was wounded in the head. He was 
made a Captain of Militia in Virginia, but in 1856 
he moved into Missouri, located in Shelbyville 
and there practiced law. Later he changed his 
location to Columbia, and pnicticed thereuntil his 
death. He had gone back to \'iiginia on a visit 



in 1859, and died while there. His political opin- 
ions were those of the AVhig party. In religion, 
he belonged to the Baptist Church. 

The mother of our subject was in iier maiden- 
hood Miss Margaret Bowen, and w.as born williin 
seven miles of Winchester, Clarke County, Va. Slie 
was the daughter of Phineas Bowen, a native of 
Virginia, whose father was a native of England. 
During the reign of Queen Elizabeth, a tract of 
land in Jlaiyland was granted to the Bowen family. 
Grandfather Bovven came to this country and went 
to Virginia, wliere he bought a plantation seven 
miles from Winchester, called the Limestone. Here 
he married Jane Sowers, a na'tive of Virginia, and 
a daughter of .John Sowers, a large planter, of Ger- 
man descent. 

After the death of her husband, the mother of 
Mrs. Somerville went to Huntsville, Mo., where 
she educated the two eldest children. In Novem- 
ber, 1868, she came to Salisbury, where her son 
.Josepli was then engaged in the drug business, but 
later became a dry -goods man. In March, 1869, 
she opened the Robinson House, on the corner of 
Second Street and Grand Avenue, and in 1874 
she bought the place and added to it. Her land 
was the present site of the Opera House, and at 
that time her hotel was the principal one. She re- 
mained at this place until it burned, in January, 
1887, and conducted the best house of the kind 
ever kept in this place. She is now living a re- 
tired life. Mrs. Robinson has been the mother of 
five children, as follows: Joseph, who died here in 
1888; Ida J., now Mrs. Branhour, of this city; our 
sul)ject; Sidney B.,who was accidentally shot here, 
in 1872; and Emily, who is now Mrs. Harshe. 

Our subject was born in Luray, Page County, 
Va., but was reared in Missouri, and was gradu- 
ated at Mt. Pleasant College, at Huntsville, when 
only fourteen years of age. She was graduated in 
June, 1868, and received the degree of A. B., a 
very unusual degree of scholarship for one so 
30ung. Immediately after this she came to Salis- 
buiy to assist her mother in attending to the finan- 
cial affairs of the liotel. On September 19, 1876, 
she was united in marriage with Bellingham Brooke 
Somerville, a native of Brooklyn, N. Y. His par- 
ents were natives of Ireland, from near Dublin, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPfflCAL RECORD. 



595 



.ilthougli tlieir ancestors were English. They can 
trace a line back to Lords Sonierville and Brooke, 
of the Irish nobility. The Somerville family were 
located on the Isle of Trinidad, where thej^ were 
planters until tlie time of tiie freeing of the slaves, 
when they removed to St. Louis. 

The iiusband of Mrs. Somerville was reared in 
St. Louis, where he was engaged as a salesman for 
a Missouri glass company, and for some time her 
residence was in that cit3'. During the seasons of 
1891-92, she kept tlie Randolpli Springs Summer 
Resort, and had a nice class of tr.ade there. In 
October, 1892, she opened the Robinson House 
iiere. It has a fine location, near the Wabash 
depot, on Broadway between First and Second 
Streets, and is fltted up with all the modern im- 
provements — steam-heat, electric light and bells — 
and tiie cliarges are very moderate, being only $2 
per day. She is the mother of one child, Joseph 
R. Our subject is a Democrat, seeing no reason 
why a woman should not have a political prefer- 
ence. She is a member of the Baptist Churcl),and 
in eveiy way a lady calculated to make a success 
of anything slie undertakes. 

bllOMAS McGINJvlS, our subject, is a man 
witli an extended circle of acquaintances, 
and can boast of as many friends as any 
one in Ray County. Possessed of sterling quali- 
ties, sincere in his convictions and true to his word, 
he commands the respect of all who know him. 
He was born September 26, 1827, at Harrods- 
burgh, Ky., and is the son of John and Sarah 
(Rylyn) McGinnis. 

The father of our subject was born in Ilarrods- 
burgh, Ky., in 1790, and the mother in Anderson 
County, Ky., about 1795. The former was reared 
on a farm, the quiet life of which was broken in 
upon by the War of 1812, in which he took an 
active part, and served under Gens. .lackson and 
Harrison in that eventful struggle. He partici- 
pated in the battle of New Orleans, which, as is 
known, was fought after the treaty of peace had 
been signed, Returning to private life, he had 



nothing but his hands and head with which to 
earn a livelihood, but by industry and economy he 
accjuired a small farm near Harrodsburgli, Ky. Af- 
ter remaining there a few years, he sold his prop- 
erty and removed to Anderson County, in the 
same State. There he bought one hundred acres, 
vipon which he made a permanent home, and re- 
m.iined until his death. AVhen about twenty-five 
years of age he married the daughter of Edward 
and Elizabeth (Webb) Rylyn. Their union proved 
a very happj' one and was sundered only by death, 
which removed the husband in 1851, the wife 
having preceded him by four years. The grand- 
father of our subject was Thomas McGinnis, a 
native of Ireland, who emigrated to the United 
States prior to the War of the Revolution, in 
which he served as a brave soldier. 

Our subject embarked upon the sea of active 
life at the age of twenty years, and soon thereaf- 
ter married Miss Rebecca, daughter of Vincent 
and Rebecca (Walker) Boggess. Of their three 
children, only one survives, Sarah F., wife of J. E. 
Wood, the two others dying when 3'oung. After 
liis marriage Mr. McGinnis came to Missouri, in 
1848, and settled in Montgomery County, where 
his father purchased and gave to him one hundred 
and sixty acres of land. This he sold in 1851, 
and came to Ray County, where he lias lived ever 
since, although he has changed his residence many 
times. He came of a sturdy and vigorous stock, 
having had six brothers and sisters who lived to 
man's and woman's estate. His first wife was 
called from him by death, and he again married, 
his wife being Laura I. Shaw, a native of Ray 
County, Mo., and the daughter of T. L. D. W. and 
Elizabeth Shaw. Their union was blessed by the 
birth of five children: James T.; Anna M., wife of 
IVIarion Pettus; Cora T., wife of James E. Lee; 
William C, and one who died in infancy-. 

After the death of his second wife, Mr. McGin- 
nis married again, his choice being Mrs. Lucinda 
M. Duncan, daughter of Bennett and Eliza A. 
(Palmer) Straiten, who bore him ten children: 
John B., Eva M., Eliza L., Adenia, Nanna .S., 
Amanda M., Edna C, Ellen D., Lillian and 
Charles E. Our subject is an influential member 
of the Christian Church. He is a member of the 



596 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPmCAL RECORD. 



Lodge of Master Masons, the Royal Arch Masons, 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the 
Encampment, and was also at one time a member 
of the Knights of I'ythias. He takes great inter- 
est in polities and is a Democrat. His fellow-citi- 
zens have frequently attested their appreciation of 
his merits by electing him to olfices of trust. They 
first made him a Justice of the Peace in 1869, in 
which cap.acity he served for six years. He was 
elected Sheriff in 1876 and again in 1878, and 
was elected Presiding Judge of the County Court 
in 1886, which position he held for four years. A 
man of clear judgment, keen observation and wide 
experience, tlie combination of tiiese and other 
superior qualities eminently qualifies Iiim for any 
position of honor and trust to wliich his fellow- 
citizens may call him. 



E^^ 



I OBERT R. SMITH, the able, energetic and 
popular Treasurer of Linn County, Mo., is 
a man of fine business attainments and 
1 sterling integrity of character. From his 
early childhood a constant resident of Linnens 
and its immediate vicinity, our subject is widely 
known and fully enjoys the confidence and high 
regard of the entire communities of Linn County. 
Mr. Smith is a native of Hancock County, Ohio, 
and was born near Findlay. His parents, Reu- 
ben and Christina Smith, made their home in 
Ohio until the death of the father, which occurred 
when our subject was about one year old. In 
1866, when Robert R. was a little lad of three 
years, the widowed mother and the maternal grand- 
father, Mr. Boyles, emigrated to Missouri, and 
with our subject settled near Linneus. Here he 
w.as earl}' trained in the habits of industrious thrift 
and stern self-reliance which have so materially 
aided him in his upward progress. 

In his childhood Mr. Smith enjoyed the advan- 
tages of instruction attainable in the nearest public 
school. At about eleven years of age he became a 
bread-winner, then working for a twelvemonth in a 
grocery, and at the expiration of that time engaging 



in agricultural pursuits, which he followed for one 
year; later he was emploj'ed by the Chicago, Bur- 
lington & Kansas City Railroad for one year, and 
then was employed by J. F. Lash for seven months 
in the lumber business. He was next employed 
by the diy-goods and clotiiing liouse of Phillips, 
Myer & Brenkley, and clerked for this well-known 
firm for five and one-half 3'ears, and since then has 
been continuous!}' witli the large establishment of 
J. C. Phillips & Sons. Our subject is considered 
by the general public One of the most successful 
dry-goods and clothing men of the countrj', being 
thoroughly at home in every detail of the business 
and weH posted in the requirements of tlie trade. 
Mr. Smith was married in .January, 1888, to Miss 
Sallie E. Piiillips, daugiiter of John C. Phillips, of 
Linneus, a prominent, citizen and early resident of 
Linn County. 

Our subject has long been a valued member 
of the Metliodist Episcopal Church, and is ever 
ready to assist in the good works and social 
and benevolent enterprises of that religious organ- 
ization. Fraternally, Mr. Smith is a member of 
the Knights of P3'thias, and is also connected with 
tlie Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Politi- 
cally, he is an ardent Republican, and an earnest 
supporter of the party. A genial and courteous 
man, and a thoroughly' progressive and public- 
spirited citizen, straightforward and upright in 
the daily conduct of both his public and private 
life, he has justly earned the popularity he enjoj-s 
among the ranks of the opposing political parties. 
Republican and Democratic. Our subject has held 
the position of Alderman, faithfully discharging 
the duties of that otlice to the great satisfaction of 
his constituents. Nominated upon the Republic.in 
ticket September 5, 1892, for County Treasurer, 
Robert R. Smith was elected to the honored and 
responsible position hy a majority of two hundred 
and four votes, a victor^' gained in a Democratic 
Count}'. Young in years, but ripe in the exi)eri- 
ence which is gained only by a practical business 
education, and also possessing tlie attributes which 
materially aid in the continued usefulness and 
prosperity of an official career, our subject lias a 
bright future before him, and carries with him 
into the coming duties of life the hearty good 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



599 



wishes and sincere regards of liosts of true friends, 
many of wiiom liave with pride and affection 
watched his upward course from early boyhood to 
tlie full fruition of iionored and vigorous man- 
hood. 



--^^ 



NDKEW J. BERRY, M. D., the successful 
i@7ull medical practitioner and skillful surgeon 
of I'urdin, Linn County, is a native of 
Montgomery County, Ky., and was born 
April 11, 1865. Our subject is the son of John F. 
Berry, who was born in Pennsylvania, but was 
reared mainl}- in Kentucky, of which latter State 
(Irandfather Berry was an early settler. Arriving 
at mature age, John F. Berry engaged in business as 
a stock-shipper, and remained a constant resident 
of Kentuck3'. He married Miss Elizabeth Hanks, 
an accomplished young lady, who died when our 
subject was but five mouths old. Her father, An- 
drew J. Hanks, was a stock-shipper of Kentucky, 
and was in partnership with her husband. 

Andrew J. Berry was the second of his father's 
ten children, and was reared in Montgomery 
County, K3-., until he was nine years old, when he 
removed to La Fayette Count}^ Mo., where he at- 
tained to manhood. He acquired a primary edu- 
cation in the common schools of his native State, 
and afterward enjoyed a course of instruction in 
the High School at Moorefield, Ky. Having com- 
[)letcd his studies in the higher English branches 
he began to read medicine with Drs. Abbott 
& Ford, of Milo. He also studied medicine one 
year with Dr. Mairs, of Browning, Mo., and after- 
ward entered the Medical College of Louisville, 
Ky. Graduating in 1890, he at once made his 
home in Purdin and here actively entered into the 
I)ractice of his profession. 

October 10, 1888, Dr. Berry was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Edith Brown, daughter of James 
Brown, one of the oldest settlers of Linn County, 
Mo. Mrs. Berr^- received her primary education 
in the common schools, but completed her studies 
in Springfield, 111., and, enjoying superior advan- 
tages for instruction, is a cultured lady of fine at- 
titinnu'uts. Our subject is the only physician in 

30 



Purdin, and practices the regular school of medi- 
cine. Able, intelligent and well versed in the var- 
ious forms and treatments of disease, he has met 
with success, his daily rounds embracing a large ter- 
ritor}', and his practice already beinjj one of the best 
in Linn County. Some of his regular patients re- 
side within six miles of Brookfleld, and the calls 
in different directions not infrequently detain him 
many hours. He has also an excellent office prac- 
tice, and occupies a handsomely furnished suite of 
rooms on one of the principal streets of Purdin, 
adjoining his pleasant residence. 

Fraternally our subject i:; a valued member of 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being No- 
ble Grand of the lodge of Purdin, and he also be- 
longs to the Masonic fraternity. Politically he is 
a strong Democrat, and in 1890 was elected Coro- 
ner of Linn County, a position which he still holds. 
He is a member of the Grand River Valley Medi- 
cal Society. He keeps himself thoroughly abreast 
of the times, and is a close student of scientific re- 
search and discovery. Devoted untiringly to the 
duties of a profession exacting in its demands, he 
yet finds time to interest himself in the local en- 
terprises of Purdin and is regarded as a progress- 
ive and public-spirited citizen, thoroughly in sym- 
pathy with the advancement of the best interests 
of his home locality. 



ffl AMES M. MORROW, our subject, is a man 
with a clear understanding of business and 
a very good knowledge of lumber and its 
^5^^ products. He is engaged at Lawson, Ray 
County, in the sale of lumber, lath, shingles, doors, 
blinds and all kinds of builder's materials. He is the 
sonof JosiahMorrow,who was born in North Caro- 
lina and was there reared and educated. His mar- 
riage united him with Miss Dicy Mebaneaud later, 
in 1842, he removed to Missouri, where he bought 
land about four miles east of Lawson, in Ray 
County, and later entered Government land in the 
same county. Ten years after he sold his property 
and went to Clinton County, Mo., where he re- 



600 



POETRAIT AND BIOGRAPmCAL RECORD. 



sided until his death in 1877. His wife passed 
away in the same year. He was the father of seven 
children, six of whom are living, namely: our 
subject; Sarah F., wife of William Reed, of Clin- 
ton Count}-, Mo.; Mary Ann, v-Ue of John Estill, 
of Kansas; Lou J., wife of Sam Wharton, of Clay 
County; William, who was killed at the age of 
twelve by a horse; Maggie, living at Arkansas 
City, Kan.; and Mary Elizabeth, wlio makes her 
home with our subject. 

Our subject was born April 13, 1843. His edu- 
cation, which was commenced in Ray County, was 
completed in Clinton County, and at the age of 
eighteen he started out in life for himself. He 
traveled across the plains to Denver, thence to 
Carson City, Nev., and engaged in mining at va- 
rious points. After about a year he journeyed to 
Salt Lake City and a short time later traveled to 
^Montana, whence he floated down the river in a 
rtatboat from Ft. Benton to Omaha. In 1866, he 
returned to Missouri and engaged in farming in 
Clinton County, where he remained until 1873. 
He then went to Lawson and embarked in the 
mercantile business in that place, remaining tlius 
engaged for two or three years. In 1877, he re- 
sumed life upon the farm. During that j'ear he 
was married in Lawson to Miss Rose, a daughter 
of Richard Warren who was a native of England. 
ITntil the spring of 1887 Mr. Morrow followed ag- 
ricultural pursuits upon his farm, but at the above- 
mentioned date he went to Eureka Springs, Ark., 
where he remained for a short time. Returning 
thence to Lawson, Mo., lie purchased the business 
of Grizzle & AVaggey. Since that time he has been 
one of the prominent business men of Lawson and 
through the exercise of energy and good judgment 
has been rewarded with prosperity and the pos- 
session of a comfortable amount of this world's 
goods. 

Six children bless tlie home of Mr. and Mrs. Mor- 
row, namely: Alva W., Myrtie F., Richard .T.. Ma- 
bel, Joseph S. and Roy E. One child, Jlaiy J., died 
at the age of four months. In his social connec- 
tions, Mr. Morrow is identified with Bee Hive 
Lodge No. 31t3, F. X- A. M., and is IMaster of the 
I^odge, also a member of the Chapter. In his re- 
ligious lielief lie is in sympathy with the doctrines 



of the Presbyterian Church, of which he is a faith- 
ful and active member. All local measures calcu- 
lated to enhance >the material welfare of the com- 
munity receive his hearty co-operation, and as an 
earnest advocate of the principles of the Demo- 
cratic part}' he takes a deep interest in the success 
of his chosen party, to which he gives the sujiport 
of his ballot and influence. 



-m^ 



'^^" 



GEORGE W. WALDON, M. D., of Tina, Car- 
p roll County, has been engaged in the prac- 
>^yj) tice of his profession for over a quarter of 
a centur}'. He was born in Cumberland County, 
Va., September 14. 1830. His paternal grand- 
father, John Waldon, was a native of the Em- 
erald Isle, while on the maternal side our subject 
is of French descent. He is the son of William 
and Elizabeth (Foster) Waldon, the former born 
in Virginia. The family comprised eight chil- 
dren, of whom our subject is next to the young- 
est. In 1850 they removed Westward, making a 
settlement in Saline County, of this State. 

The Doctor's boyhood days were passed in the 
Old Dominion, where he acquired a good common- 
school education. On arriving at his majority, he 
entered tlie University of Virginia, which is lo- 
cated at Alexandria, where he pursued a two j'ears' 
course of study. After this, entering the Amer- 
ican Eclectic Medical College, at Cincinnati, Ohio, 
he completed his medical education, graduating 
from that institution in 1866. He first located 
in Kanawha County, W. Va., where he continued 
in practice until 1871. In the spring of that year 
Dr. Waldon emigrated to Missouri, and for twenty- 
one years devoted himself to the practice of his 
profession in Miami Station, Carroll County. In 
August, 1892, the Doctor finally located in Tina, 
where he has built up a large and increasing prac- 
tice. He owns a nice little farm of fifty acres, 
which is well improved and yields a good income. 
In 1858 Dr. Waldon and Miss Martha Casdorph 
were united in marriage. The lady was a daughter 

i of Azariah Casdorph, who was born in Virginia. Dr. 

I and Mrs, Waldon V)ecarae the parents of six cliil- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



601 



dreii, two of whom are deceased. The living mem- 
bers of tlie family are Elizabeth, who is the wife of 
Simon P. Squires,of this countj'; Maranda, wife of 
J. G. Craig, also of this count}'; Henry C, who mar- 
ried Miss Lillie Hill, a native of West Virginia, and 
resides in Tina; and Florence E., who resides at 
home. Our subject was called upon to mourn the 
loss of his devoted wife December 15, 1891. She 
was a lady possessed of many amiable qualities, 
which endeai'ed her to all. Dr. Waldon uses his 
right of franchise in favor of the Republican party, 
and, socially, is a member of De Witt Lodge No. 
39, A. F. & A. M. 



^ AMES A. SMITH, M. D., the able publisher 
of the Marceline Journal, is one of the most 
progressive citizens of Linn County. A 
finely educated man, of undoubted integrity 
of character, he enjo3'ed an extended professional 
practice for many years, and was Surgeon for the 
Santa Fe Railroad. Retiring from medical work, 
he assumed editorial duties, and was a prominent 
factor in the upbuilding of Marceline, of which 
town he has been, since 1889, the popular Post- 
master. His presence is a familiar one in the im- 
portant gatherings of the State and count}', and 
although an ardent Republican, he numbers scores 
of friends in the opposing party. 

Our subject was born in Farmland, Ind., May 
10, 1846, and is the son of Jesse F. and Mary H. 
(Bales) Smith. Jesse F. Smith was a native of 
North Carolina, and of Scotch-English descent. 
He came with his family to Missouri in 1857, and 
settling in Mercer County, became the pastor of 
a Christian Church. During the war he removed 
to Iowa, and 'n 1865 returned to Missouri, loca- 
ting in Grundy County. Later he made Mont- 
gomery Count}' his home, and thence came to Mar- 
celine, where he resided until his death, November 
30, 1890. He was a man of more than usual abil- 
ity, and enjoyed the confidence of a large circle of 
friends. As a minister of the Gospel, he accom- 
plished much good, but was obliged to retire from 
tiie uulpit on account of iil-heaUli several years 



prior to his death. During the last two years of 
his life he was confined to his bed, but bore his 
sufferings with patience and resignation. 

The mother of our subject, Mrs. Mary H. Smitli, 
was born in Ohio, and was of distinguished Quaker 
parentage and English ancestry. She now resides 
in Gait, Grundy County, Mo. Dr. Smith received 
an excellent primary education in early boyhood, 
and at fifteen years of age enlisted, August 12, 
1861, in Company F, Fifth Kansas Cavalry, and 
the following March was transferred to the Tenth 
Kansas Infantry. He re-enlisted in the same regi- 
ment as a veteran January 1, 1864, and was hon- 
orably discharged as First Sergeant September 
20, 1865. Our subject participated with bravery 
in the following engagements: Newtonia and 
Morristown, Mo.; Locust Grove, I. T.; Cane 
Hill and Prairie Grove, Ai'k.; Columbia, Spring 
Hill and Franklin, Tenn. After a two-days battle 
at Nashville, he was wounded in the head by a 
shell, causing paralysis, from which he has never 
fully recovered. He was also in the thick of the 
assault on Ft. Blakely, Ala., and was constantly at 
the front, daily sharing the privation and danger of 
the other soldiers until the close of tiie war. AViien 
peace once more resumed its prosperous sway in 
the American nation, our subject turned his at- 
tention to preparation for the medical profession, 
and having completed a tiiorough course in the 
Ft. Wayne Medical College, graduating with honor 
in 1871, he entered upon a successful round of 
duty in Montgomery, Pike, Monroe and Linn 
Counties. In 1888, he founded the Marceline 
Journal, which he still prosperously conducts. In 
1889, he was appointed Postmaster, and in April 
of the same year abandoned the active duties of 
his profession. 

February 18, 1864, Dr. Smith was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Ruth Quimby, of Alton, 111. This 
estimable lady, after becoming the mother of a son 
and a daughter, Charles E. and Hattie M., passed 
away November 29, 1871. Our su))ject again en- 
tered into marriage relations September 1, 1874, 
then wedding Miss Priscilla A. Watkins, of Price's 
Branch, Montgomery County, Mo. The second 
union was blessed with the birtii of four children: 
Sauford ^I.: Flora, deceased; D(.)nie E. and Rov. 



602 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Dr. Smith has been for manj' years an Elder of 
the Christian Church, and for thirty-five years has 
been one of its most valued members and earnest 
workers in the extension of its influence. Actively 
associated with the leading benevolent enterprises 
of his locality, he is also deeply interested in the 
advancement of his neighborhood, and gives his 
ready assistance in behalf of progress. Fraternally, 
he is a valued member of the Grand Armj' of the 
Republic, and is connected with the Masonic or- 
der, and the Knights of Pythias. Politically, our 
subject is a Republican, and through the columns 
of his able paper, by his personal presence at State 
and county conventions, as a member of the 
County and Congressional District Committees and 
the State Central Committee, has efficiently served 
the party whose principles he has long maintained. 
A true American citizen, earnest in pur[)Ose and 
upright in character, he commands the high re- 
gard of the general public and possesses a host of 
sincere friends. 



■^ACOB A. LEABO, Excelsior Springs, Mo. 
I I The calling of the druggist is without doubt 
~. I a responsible and important one, and neces- 
^^/' sitates in its proi)er conduct men of exper- 
ience and intelligence. The establishment of which 
Mr. Leabo is a joint proprietor is under his capa- 
ble management, and the care which he has ever 
exercised has been amply repaid by the lucrative 
su|)port which has been tendered him, and b}' the 
good-will of the entire community. He was born 
in Ray County, Mo.. November 4, 1834, but his 
f.ather was a Kentuckian, born in 1811. When a 
lad he was brought to Missouri by his parents, who 
were among the frontier settlers of the State, long- 
before the days of railroads and public schools, 
and here amid the rude surroundings of pioneer 
life he was reared. At the age of nineteen years 
he married Sarah Wilson, daughter of Eli Wilson, 
of Tennessee, and very soon after settled on a 
farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Knox- 
ville Township, Ra}^ County, which he cleared and 
improved, the old log house whicli is still stand- 



ing on the place being the birthplace of the sub- 
ject of this sketch. To this worthy couple six chil- 
dren were born: Jacob A.; Adam J., who died while 
in the Union army, leaving a wife and a son; Pelina, 
Mrs. Whitt, a resident of Daviess County, Mo.; 
Sarah F., Mrs. Paugh, who lives in Polo, Caldwell 
County, Mo., and Elizabeth, Mrs. Culver, living in 
Daviess County. The mother of these children died 
in 1848, after which the father married Miss Mary 
Thompson, of Ray County, and of Indiana stock, 
to which union three children vvere given, two dy- 
ing in infancy. Martha, the surviving member, 
moved with her husband and family to Salt Lake 
City, Utah, in 1890, in whicii place her husband, 
Mr. Oren, is a successful merchant. Our subject's 
f.ather was called from life May 11, 1880. 

Although Jacob A. Leabo had no opportunities 
for obtaining an education in his youth, he, by 
self application, became a well-posted 3-oung man, 
and although brought up to farm work, he began 
his independent career as a school teacher. On the 
12th of April, 1860, he was married to Miss Sarah 
A. Milstead, the eldest of ten children born to 
Campbell and Narcissus Milstead, the other mem- 
bers of the family being James, of Oregon; Jane; 
John II., of Daviess County; Riley M., of Caldwell 
County, Mo.; Amanda, Mrs. Cadmau, a resident 
of Missouri; Eliza, Mrs. Smith, a resident of Mus- 
catine, Iowa; Cynthia A., Mrs. Shepherd, of Daviess 
County, and Charles, also of that county'. After 
his marriage Mr. Leabo settled on the farm on 
which he was born, where he successfullj' tilled the 
soil until tlie fall of 1877, when he went to Lath- 
rop. Mo., and opened a drug establishment, wiiere 
he conducted a prosperous business until January 
1, 1888, at which time he sold out, although he 
still owns his residence there, and came to Excel- 
sior Springs, clerking for M. A. Finley in a drug 
store, Mr. Leabo and Mrs. M. S. Flack purchasing 
the stock in 1890. This establishment is fitted up 
and conducted in a first-class manner and is in the 
enjoyment of a trade that is highly satisfactory 
and a credit to the proprietors and the town. 

Mr. Leabo is the father of three children: Julia- 
ettie, born January 12, 1861, is the wife of Dr. B. F. 
Rogers, residing at No. 2005 Jefferson Avenue, 
Kansas City, Mo., and is the mother of three chil- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL liECORD. 



603 



dren; Amanda J. is the wife of W. K. Marett, a 
minister of the Missionary Baptist C'luirdi, and a 
dealer in marble at Lathrop, Mo., and lias had 
seven children, five living and two deceased; 
and Adda F., wife of James Kundren, a silver 
miner of Aspen, Colo., has one child. Mr. Lcabo 
left his farm and moved to town in order that his 
children might receive good educational advan- 
tages, and they wisely improved their opportuni- 
ties. At one time he held the rank of Second 
Lieutenant in the State Militia, and after the close 
of the Civil War was elected Superintendent of 
Schools, wliich office he filled with exceptional 
ability, organizing the first Teachers' Institute of 
Ray County. He belongs to the Kniglits of 
Honor, and he and his wife are active workers in 
the Christian Union Church. 



■r-r-g r 



ON. THOMAS D. EVANS for nearly twenty- 
five years has been engaged in farming on 
section 25, township 58, range 22, Linn 
5^ County. He is a leading politician and 
influential man in this district, having occupied 
many important public positions. In 1872 he was 
elected Supervisor of Parson Creek Township, the 
Supervisors of the county forming the County 
Court. A 3'ear later he was made Trustee, and in 
1874 Assessor of the township, being re-elected in 
the following year. In 1882 he was elected a mem- 
ber of the County Court, to which position he was 
re-elected two years later. In 1890 he was elected 
to the Thirty-sixth General Assembl}' of Missouri, 
serving on a number of important committees, 
viz.: Township Organization, Penitentiary and In- 
ternal Improvement. In the extra session he 
served on the Committee of Judicial Districts of 
the State, and was active in the following acts of 
the Legislature: Text Book Law, Reduction of 
Interest, Weekly Payment Bill, Reduction of 
Freight Rates on Railroads, and Anti-Trust Bill. 
He was a warm advocate at the extra session of 
the rebuilding of the State University. When the 
Thirty-seventh Assembly met his name was prom- 
inently mentioned for Chief Clerk of the House. 



He has served as County Central Committeeman 
of his party for years. 

The Evans family is of Welsh and English de- 
scent, and was numbered among the pioneers in 
Kentucky. The great-grandfather of our subject 
was one of a party with Daniel Boone, who first 
settled in that State, and was a participant in all 
of Boone's battles with the Indians. On the mater- 
nal side the great-grandfather, Conrad Cornelison, 
was also a member of Daniel Boone's party and a 
sturdy Indian fighter. The old log block-houses 
which were erected by those early pioneers are 
still standing, relics of the first inroads of civi- 
lization upon the wilderness, which then abounded 
with savages and wild beasts. John Evans, the 
grandfather, was a native of Kentuck}-, and was 
in service under Gen. William Henry Harrison in 
the Black Hawk War. He saw Col. Johnston kill 
the Indian chief, Tecumseh, and stood by the 
body after life was extinct. He was an officer in 
the army and a man of great bravery and daring. 

Our subject is a son of AVilliam S. and Paulina 
J. (Cornelison) Evans, both natives of Madison 
County, Ky. The father was born in 1818, and 
the mother six years later. She was a daughter 
of Thomas and Elizabeth (Dulana) Cornelison. 
The father was a stage contractor in Kentucky 
for twenty-four j-ears, and was an extensive ship- 
per of horses to the South. He was married in 
1842, and resided in London, Ky., until 185(5, 
when, with his family, he removed to Missouri, 
carrying (m a farm in Pettis Countj' for a few 
years. Thence he removed to Cooper, and later 
to Saline County. At different limes he owned 
as many as a dozen farms. In 1864, coming to 
Livingston County, he located near AVheeling, 
where he engaged in shipping stock and merchan- 
dising, buying most of his stock in the vicinity 
and selling the same in St. Louis, fie was an old- 
line Whig, and during the war, and after it until 
1876, was in sympathy with the Democratic party. 
He was several times a candidate forotticial honors, 
but was always in the minority party. He was an 
active member of the Christian Church until 
his death in 1888. His wife was called to her 
final home in 18(50. 

Mr. Evans is the eldest living child in his fa- 



604 



POrtTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ther's famil_y of foui, but two of whom are liv- 
ing. His birth occurred in Madison County, Ky., 
September 6, 1844, and his boyliood days were 
passed in London, Ky., where lie received his early 
education. At the age of twenty years he started 
ont to make his own way, beginning as a salesman 
at Meadville, Mo. Later he entered a firm at 
that place, at first as a silent partner, but after- 
ward became the sole proprietor of the busi- 
ness. In 1861 lie was station and express agent 
at that place, and about the same time was ap- 
pointed Postmaster, which position he occupied 
four years. In 1869 he sold out his mercantile 
business and removed to his present farm, which 
was partly- improved, and to which he has added 
additional land, now owning three hundred and 
twenty acres of well-improved land. 

In this township, in the year 1868, Mr. Evans 
and Miss Nancy A. Botts were united in marriage. 
The lady is a daughter of Seth Botts, Sr., who 
was a prominent man in this community, and in 
the War of 1812 was actively engaged. He was a 
Lieutenant in Capt. Hamilton's company of Ten- 
nessee Rifles, and was with Gen. Jackson at the 
battle of New Orleans. He was born in 1786, 
and became a settler in Howard County, Mo., 
about the year 1822. The early name of Mead- 
ville was Bottsville, so called after his family. 
His death occurred in 1872, at which time he was 
the owner of tvvo thousand acres, situated in a 
body in this county. He had acquired his for- 
tune through his own efforts entirely, as on land- 
ing in Missouri he was without capital. He was 
very prominent in politics and a Deacon in the 
Baptist Church. The mother of Mrs. Evans was 
in her girlhood Miss Elizabeth Littrell, a native 
of Madison County, Ky. Her parents, Joseph and 
Dulcie Littrell, emigrated to Missouri over sev- 
enty-five 3ears ago, locating in Howard County, 
where they were both called from this life. Mrs. 
Bolts is still living at the advanced age of sev- 
ent3'-seven years. Mrs. Evans was born in town- 
ship 58 in the year 184!>. By her marriage she 
has been the mother of nine children, three of 
whom are deceased. The others are as follows: 
Edwin E., Seth D., William B., Walter E., Adella 
.-uid Cornelisoii. Tiie eldest, Edwin E., has been 



a student of the State University for three years, 
and it is the intention of Mr. Evans to give his 
children exceptional advantages in the way of 
an education. 

Our subject has always been a warm friend of 
education, has always voted for the longest term 
of school and the highest possible school tax. 
The family are members and attendants of the 
Christian Church at Meadville. Mr. Evans is a 
member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows 
and of the Knights of P3'tliias. 

ERRY S. RADP^R, a successful practicing 
attorney, and editor of the Brunsiricker, a 
bright and able paper published in Bruns- 
wick and widely known in Chariton 
County, Mo., is a gentleman of fine literarj' at- 
tainments, and, a cultured scholar, well versed in 
legal knowledge, he enjoys the high regard and 
confidence of ma.ny friends and clients. Our sub- 
ject is the descendant of honored and distin- 
guished ancestors. Born in Carthage, Mo., No- 
vember 24, 1859, he is the son of the Rev. and Mrs. 
A. M. Rader. The Rader family' traces its ances- 
try back to earliest American citizenship, George 
Rader having emigrated to the United States from 
Germany nian>- 3ears prior to the War of the Revo- 
lution, in which various of his descendants took a 
leading part. Subsequentl3' the3' became residents 
of Virginia, where they were numbered among the 
substantial citizens. The paternal grandfather of 
our subject, William Rader, earl3' settled in Mis- 
souri, in which State his son Andrew M., the father 
of Perry S., grew to manhood, and, imbibing the 
doctrines of Methodism, became one of the power- 
ful pioneer preachers of the Southwest. 

The mother, Isabella A. (McFarland) Rader, was 
the great-granddaughter of Sir Robert McFarland, 
of Scotland, whose immediate descendants, making 
their homes in the State of Tennessee, there became 
the recipient of distinguished honors, serving as 
Supreme Judges of the State, and occupying other 
various responsible positions of trust. About 1833, 
Alexander McFarland, the maternal grandfather 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPIUCAL RECORD. 



605 



of our subject, settled in Missouri, locating in 
Johnson County, where a few years later his daugh- 
ter Isabella was united in marriage with the young 
preacher, Andrew l{ader. The union was blessed 
bj' the birth of thirteen children, of whom eleven 
are still surviving. Perry S. was the eighth child 
of the family, wliich soon after his birth experi- 
enced the dangers and vicissitudes of the Civil 
War. Ere long the Raders were forced to ttee from 
the scenes of guerrilla warfare which devastated 
the Southwestern pait of the State, and removed 
from .Jasper County to Henry, and thence to Sa- 
line County, where they found a safe abiding-place, 
and where our subject was reared. Trained to a 
round of agricultural duties, he enjoyed in bo3'- 
hood only the advantage of study at the nearest 
district school during the winter months, which, 
however, was liberally sujiplemented by the educa- 
tional atmosphere and instruction of his father's 
large famil}'. 

The large family wiiose wants must be provided 
for necessitated the work of every available pair of 
hands, but when our subject had arrived at the 
proper age, encouraged by his parents, he entered 
Central College, the leading Methodist educational 
institute of the State, and in 1879 was numbered 
among the students. His limited means would then 
only permit one year of study, but with cheerful 
determination and buo^'ant hopefulness, he looked 
forward to later completing a thorough course of in- 
struction. Twelve months passed swiftly within the 
college halls, after which Mr. Rader began teach- 
ing near Marshall, and later followed that profes- 
sion in other parts of the State. At the expira- 
tion of two 3-ears he was enabled to retiu'n to 
college, and four years later realized the bright an- 
ticiijations of boyhood, finishing a full classical 
course, and graduating in 1886 witii the degree of 
A. B. 

Having decided to engage in the duties of liie 
legal profession, Mi. Rader began to studj- law in 
the oHice of .Judge J. P. Strothcr, of Marshall, Mo., 
Nominated to the Vice-principalship of the schools 
of Brunswick, our subject accepted the position, 
and served in that capacity for one year. He then 
purchased an interest in the Ilovard County Adver- 
tiser, niul edited tiie same for one year, when he 



sold out and devoted himself entirely to his legal 
studies. He was admitted to practice in 1888, and 
remained in Fayette until 1889. He then located 
in Brunswick, where he purchased a partnership in 
the Brunswicker, giving a portion of his time to 
the editing of the paper, and also engaging in the 
practice of the law. 

In 1891, Mr. Rader published .i small volume, 
"Rader's School History of Missouri," wliicii is ex- 
tremely valuable as containing reliable statistics 
and correct dataarr.inged in an attractive style, and 
adapted to the needs of the public and prepara- 
tory schools. In December, 1889, our subject and 
Miss Bennie .1. Younger were united in marriage. 
Mrs. Rader is a lady of accomplishments and high 
culture, and is the youngest daughter of Mrs. 
Idress E. Ashby, of Brunswick. The happy union 
of our subject and his estimable wife has been 
blessed by the birth of two children, one son and a 
daughter, .John Wallace and Asabel Adelaide. In 
common with all native American citizens, Mr. 
Rader is a very busy man, but he finds time to in- 
terest himself in local advancement and ablj' as- 
sists with pen and personal influence all meritori- 
ous enterprise and needed reforms. His pleasant 
home is the abode of hospitality, and there he and 
his wife welcome a host of sincere friends and ac- 
quaintances. 



ONIPHAN S. SHELTON, Vice-President 
of the Lewis Mercantile Company, was 
for some time one of the most successful 
teachers of Missouri, and later cultivated 
a fine homestead in Clay County, but now resides 
in Excelsior Springs, and devotes his time to ac- 
tive business. Mr. Shelton was born February 22, 
1861, and is the ninth child in order of birth in 
a family of eleven sons and daughters, of whom 
but six now survive. The father, Charles C. Shel- 
ton, a native of Virginia, and by occupation a 
farmer, has long been a well-known citizen of Mis- 
souri. He is a valued member of the Baptist 
Ciiurch, and liberally aids in its good work. To- 



606 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Iiticall3', he was for many j'ears an ardent advo- 
cate of Democracj', but now gives liis adlierence to 
the People's party. 

In 1842, Charles C. Siielton came from Mrginia 
to Ray County, Mo., and in 1850 removed to 
Clinton County; thence he proceeded in 185.3 to 
Platte County, and in 1871 settled in Claj' County, 
where he now resides upon a fine farm of one hun- 
dred and sixt}' acres. Miss Emeline M. Scott, 
whom Charles C. Shelton married August 22, 1837, 
was born in Todd County, Ky., January 6, 1822, 
and departed this life October 8, 1892. She became 
a member of the Kearney Baptist Church in 1875, 
being baptized by the Rev. Mr. Graves, and was a 
devoted Christian woman. She completed three- 
score years and ten, and, in the sure hope of a 
blessed resurrection, passed to her rest, beloved by 
all who knew her, and mourned by her husband, 
children and friends. The surviving sons and 
daugiiters are: Alonzo H., Beverly' D., Margaret E., 
Emma V., Doniphan ,S. and Stephen D. 

The earliest j-ears of our subject were spent on 
a farm, and not until he was twenty did he leave 
the family' homestead. IMeantime he had been 
trained in a full knowledge of agricultural work, 
and also attended the common schools of the 
neighI)orhood. Farming not being to his taste, 
he lifted himself for a teacher, and achieving suc- 
cess in this vocation, fully intended to make teach- 
ing the professitm of his life; but failing health 
forced him to abandon his chosen employment and 
seek to regain his health in tilling the fertile soil 
of Missouri. Engaging in agriculture, he remained 
upon a farm until he accepted his present position 
and made Exselsior Springs his home. 

March 8, 1882, Mr. Shelton was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Laura F. Fcrril, daughter of Rob- 
ert L. and Saiah M. (Means) Ferril, of Clay Countj^ 
Mr. and Mrs. Ferril are both natives of Tennes- 
see, but old residents of Missouri. Mrs. Shelton 
was born July 14, 1863, and has been the mother 
of three children. The first-born, little Jesse 
Earl, was .aged three years, four months and 
three days when death claimed him and he passed 
away to the better land; Nina, born January 3, 
1886; and Robert F., born August 10, 1888, bright 
and merry children, arc the idols of their parents. 



Politically, our subject is in perfect accord with 
his father's sentiments, and heartily approves of 
the platform and principles of the People's part}'. 
Mrs. Shelton is a member of the Cumberland Pres- 
byterian Church, and is active in the good works 
and benevolent enterprises of that religious de- 
nomination. Mr. Shelton and his cultured wife 
occupy positions of influence and usefulness in the 
social circles of their locality, and extend the cor- 
dial hand of greeting and warm welcome to their 
fireside to a host of sincere friends. 



111 AMES G. GALLEMORE, one of the leading 
journalists of Chariton County, is the 
^^ I editor and proprietor of the Salisbury Press- 
<5^/' Spectator, a paper whose circulation exceeds 
that of any other newspaper in the count}'. He is 
a man of pleasant, genial manner, social and ac- 
commodating, and has made his paper a power in 
the county. 

Mr. Gallemore was born in Howard, near Boons- 
borough, Mo., May 25, 1862. His father, William 
S. Gallemore, was born in Kentucky, near Lexing- 
ton, and his grandfather, John R., was born in Vir- 
ginia, where he learned and followed the trade of 
mechanical carpenter. He located in Howard 
County, Mo., where he opened and operated a 
wagon-making and blacksmith shop, and died in 
that county when seventy years of age. 

The father of our subject is a farmer in Howard 
County, where he has a farm in Chariton Town- 
ship, on which he resides. The Christian Church 
is the denomination in which he claims member- 
ship. He was married to Mary M. Clo_yd, born in 
Howard Count}', a daughter of Gilbert Cloyd, 
who was born in Tennessee, but became one of the 
early settlers of Howard County, Mo., where he 
pursued his trade of cooper in addition to farm- 
ing. He enlisted in Price's army when sevent}' 
years of age, but died during the raid. Mr. and 
Mrs. Gallemore had nine children, eight of whom 
are living, our subject being the eldest. 

James Gallemore, like other farmer boys, was 
reared to an agricultural life, obtaining such an 








,_, r 





'^^^^'l^^C^K^ 




G^W'0<J 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



609 



education as was offered in the public school of 
his district until sixteen years of age, when he at- 
tended the Warrensburgh State Normal School for 
two years. After this he engaged in teaching 
school, and continued at this for about three 
3'ears. In 1884 he came to Salisbury and engaged 
in business, bu3ing out tiie interest of his uncle, J. 
M. Oallcmore, of the Press-Spectator^ and has con- 
tinued here ever since. In 1889 he took his 
brother, W. .S., into partnership with him, and 
they conducted the paper together until July 1, 
1892, when our subject bought his brother's inter- 
est, and now conducts the paper alone. 

The Press- Spectator is a six-column quarto, all 
home print, and has a circulation of fifteen hundred, 
which is the largest of any paper in the county. The 
paper is conducted in the interests of the Demo- 
cratic party. The ofHce is well equipped with the 
latest modern improvements, it has a steam press 
and folder, and a good job and book office. The 
paper is the oldest one in the city, having been 
established in 1871 b3' J. M. Gallemore. Our 
subject was married November 17, 1887, in this 
city, to Miss Ella Trent, born iu Salisbury Town- 
ship, a daughter of J. W. Trent, a prominent 
farmer and stockman here. Mr. Gallemore is a 
member of the Christian Church, in which he was 
a Deacon until he resigned. Socially he affiliates 
witli the Masonic order and the Knights of 
Pythias. 



THOMAS N. LAVELOCK. Among the mem- 
bers of the legal profession in Ray County, 
no one is more deserving of his high repu- 
tation, that has been won by careful study and 
close attention to his duties, than the subject of 
this sketch, who is a prominent attorney of Rich- 
mond. A native of Sangamon County, 111., he 
was born January 1, 18.'J4,and is therefore now in 
the prime of his mental vigor and physical strength. 
Tiiomas Lavelock, the father of our subject, was 
horn in Ireland, whence about the year 1835 he 
emigrated to America, and settled in Sangamon 
County. When a youth lie had but limited educa- 



tional advantages, but being a man of strong nat- 
ural judgment and sterling common sense, he was 
enabled to overcome to a large extent his lack of 
early opportun ities. As a stock-dealer and farmer, 
he was recognized as a shrewd and careful business 
man. and in every relation of life and under all 
circumstances, his char.acter was distinguished by 
rectitude, fidelity, industry and enterprise. 

In Sangamon Count}-, 111., occurred the marriage 
of Thomas Lavelock and Dorcas Shoup, daughter 
of Jacob and Sarah (Downing) Shoup. Mr. Shoup 
was born in Huntingdon County, Pa., May 9, 
1780, and married Miss Downing, of the same 
county, May 25, 1802. Some time afterward they 
removed to Pickaway County, Ohio, where thej' 
resided until the autumn of 1831, removing 
from there to Sangamon County, 111. In the 
home they there established, both passed away, Mr. 
Shoup December 19, 1849, and his wife April 20, 
1850. In 1858 the parents of our subject came to 
Ray County, Mo., and settled upon a farm located 
in the eastern part of the count}', where the father 
conducted agricultural pursuits until his death in 
1863. He was successful, and at the time of his 
demise owned about eleven hundred acresof land, 
in addition to considerable personal propert3\ 

This sketch would be ver}' unsatisfactor}- to the 
subject thereof, were not a tribute paid to the 
worth of his mother. Though a lady of verj- 
limited educational advantages, she possessed prac- 
tical common sense and excellent judgment, qual- 
ities which enabled her to assist her husband in 
the accumulation of his propert}'. Left a widow 
with several small children dependent upon her 
for their training, she not only carried on the 
farm and succeeded in making money under ad- 
verse circumstances, but also gave to her children 
the greatest care and devotion. A true and lov- 
ing mother, she has taken great pride in the suc- 
cess of her children, who have repaid her for the 
devotion of former years by their honorable and 
upright lives. All the surviving members of the 
family are married except the subject of this 
sketch, and all reside in Ray County. At the age 
of seventy-two, Mrs. Lavelock wears her years 
graccfulh-. and is a lady who is loved and re- 
spected by her neighbors and friends. 



610 



POUTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



The third in a family of six living children, our 
subject passed tlie days of boyhood upon his fa- 
ther's farm, where he assisted in the daily round 
of duties, and during a portion of each year at- 
tended the district schools. Having completed his 
preparatory- studies, he entered Richmond College, 
and after a course of instruction in that excellent 
institution, lie enjoyed the further advantage of a 
full course in the law department of the State 
University of Missom-i,at Columbia, from which he 
graduated in 1878. Admitted to the Bar, he im- 
mediately began the practice of his profession in 
Richmond, and for a time was in partnership with 
his brother, George W., who is now Judge of the 
Probate Court of Ray County. The law firm of 
Lavelock & Lavelock was among the most promi- 
nent in this part of the State, and continued un- 
til the Judge tooli his seat upon the Bench to fill 
the vacancy caused by the deatli of Judge John T. 
Bannister. Afterward lie was elected to the posi- 
tion for a term of four years. 

In 1888 our subject was elected to the office of 
Prosecuting Attorney, in which he served for two 
terms, and devoted himself to his public duties with 
such energj' and efficiency as to win the commenda- 
tion of all. He is not a master in the school of ora- 
tory, yet is fluent in argumentative discourse, apt 
in the choice of words, easy in manner and address, 
forcible in arraying facts and singularly cogent in 
analyzing decisions and applying elementary prin- 
ciples. He may be somewhat wanting in imagina- 
tion, but when his sympathies are in perfect accord 
with his subject, lie not infrequently speaks with 
a zeal, pathos and jjersuasiveness peculiarly his 
own, and at times readies the sublimest eloquence. 
He studies methods of presenting business proposi- 
tions in the manner best calculated to favorably 
impress the practical mind. In his preparation of 
a case he never depends upon intuition or inspira- 
tion, and in his arguments he never permits his 
main points to be lost in the maze of florid or re- 
dundant rhetoric. In business he never studies 
the law apart from tlie facts of his case, for he re- 
alizes tliat the facts determine tlie rule of law ap- 
plicable to and governing his case. He conducts 
ail extensive |M-actice in all tlie courts, and has 
been more tliaii ordinarilv successful in numerous 



important cases wliich were hotl}' contested and 
carried to higher courts, the final decision almost 
invariably being made in favor of the clients of 
Mr. Lavelock. He has a large and well-selected 
law library, containing all the late standard re- 
ports, as well as the most complete set of books of 
reference to be found in the .State, outside of tlie 
large cities. 

In his political opinions, Mr. Lavelock is a firm 
believer in the principles advocated by the Demo- 
cratic party, and is a leader in the councils of his 
cliosen party. He is prominently connected with 
the Masonic order, being a member of the Blue 
Lodge, Chapter and Commandery. With self-reli- 
ance and i)erscverancc, Mr. Lavelock has won his 
way upward, and is now justly numbered among 
the most progressive and public-spirited citizens 
of Ray County, where almost liis entii'e life has 
been passed. 



R. JAMES HENRY PORTER BAKER, 
I one of the most prominent pliysieians in 
the county, and one who has had a long 
"^ and prosperous practice, is the subject of 

this sketch. He was born at Columbus, Johnson 
County, Mo., on the 18th of February, 1837. 
The parents of our subject, like manj' of the 
settlers of this State who came from Tennessee 
and Virginia, were of Englisli descent. His 
grandfather, Peter Baker, was born in Virginia 
but at an early day settled in Tennessee, where lie 
became a farmer. Later he took part in the Ind- 
ian War, and then in the War of 1812. He re- 
moved to this State after his son had located here, 
and here he died when almost one hundred 3'ears 
old. He had been a member of the Baptist Church. 
The father of Dr. Baker, W. C. Baker, was born 
in Knox County, Tenn., and in that State he was 
married. In 1831 he located in Missouri, making 
the trip by team and wagonj and when he reached 
tlie State he entered a large tract of land near Col- 
umbus, in Johnson County. There were six iiun- 
dred and forty acres in tlie tract and here lie built 
a log house and liecame a pic>neer, carrying on a 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



611 



large farming business. He died in ,7une, 1861, at 
the age of (ifty-six jears, after having long been a 
Deacon in the Baptist Church. While farming in 
the earl}- pioneer days here he had to haul his 
produce to Lexington and to St. Louis. 

The mother of our subject was Nancy (McGin- 
ni.s) Baker, a native of Tennessee and a daughter 
of .John McGinnis, a Protestant Orangeman of Ire- 
land. He came to America and located in Ten- 
nessee, where he engaged in farming and the 
raising of stock, and there he died. The mother 
of our subject lived until 18G3. Six children, 
three girls and three bo^'s, were born of this union. 
Catherine, now Mrs. Atkinson, resides in Johnson 
County; William T. lives in .Johnson County; Dr. 
Peter S. is a physician in Los Angeles; and our 
subject is the fourth one of those remaining in 
the family. 

.James Baker was reared on the farm in Johnson 
County, enjoyed good common-school advantages 
and later attended the academy at Murray Hill. 
From that place he went to the Masonic College 
at Lexington until it went down, when he entered 
AVilliam Jewell College, at Liberty, and there com- 
pleted the Junior year. At this time, he began 
the study of medicine under Drs. Dobbins & 
Goodwin, of Columbus, continuing with them for 
six months, when he entered tiie St. I^ouis Medical 
College and there remained until the spring of 
1861. 

In tins year our subject joined the first compan}- 
of Missouri State militia under Jackson, but his 
father being ill with t3'phoid fever he returned 
and took care of him until his death. The whole 
family had the fever and the Doctor, worn out 
with being constantl}' in the saddle, riding all over 
the country, had it also. He remained with his 
mother until her death in 1863 and tiien he felt 
that he had done liis full duty and started South 
to join Price's army in Col. Perkins' regiment. 
Soon after his arrival he was made Surgeon of 
Shaw's battalion, but when this regiment crossed 
the Red River Dr. McPheeters was placed in charge 
and our subject was given the management of the 
general hospital at Clarksville, Tex., and also the 
management of Shelby's division hospital. He 
remained tliere in charge until the close of the 



war and had a world of experience. In June, 1865, 
he surrendered at Shreveport, and coming to Ran- 
dolph County, located in Salt Spring Township, 
which now bears tiie name of Clifton, and settled 
seven miles west of Huntsville, where he began a 
practice. This was near the place of J. H. Hen- 
derson, who afterward became the father-in-law of 
our subject. At this time he had no money witii 
which to continue liis medical studies, therefore 
practiced until 1867, when he was able to enter 
Rush Medical College at Chicago, from which lie 
was graduated in March, 1868, with his degree of 
Doctor of Medicine. 

After graduating. Dr. Baker returned to Clifton, 
where his practice rapidly extended, owing to the 
growtii which the town made in consequence of 
the coming through it of the Wab.ash Railroad in 
1867. Here he continued practicing both in Ran- 
dolph and Chariton Counties, thus becoming well 
known in Salisbury. In December, 1891, he lo- 
cated here. While in Clifton, for eight j'ears he 
conducted a drug store, also acquired and improved 
a farm of two hundred and flftj'-five acres near 
that town. He still owns thirty acres of this, upon 
which he raises stock. As his location in Clifton 
was on the county line, he did as much practice in 
Chariton as in Randolph County. 

Dr. Baker was married in Clifton, in 1865, to 
Miss Jennie W., a daughter of J. H. Henderson, a 
prominent farmer and a native of Virginia. Four 
children have been born to Dr. and Mrs. Baker, as 
follows: Arthur G., now attending school at the 
St. Louis School of Pharmacy; Jennie B.; Wilfred 
L. and Mar^' W. The handsome residence of the 
family is on Weber Avenue, between Third and 
Fourth Streets. The religious connection of the 
family is with the Missionary' Baptist Church. 

Sociall}', Dr. Baker is a member of the Ancient, 
Free & Accepted Masons, being a Past Master, and 
is the examining physician of the Ancient Order 
of United Workmen. He is a member of tiie State 
Medical Society, the Moberly District Medical So- 
ciety, of which he is ex-President, and is an active 
member of the Chariton County Medical Society. 
Ever since reaching his m.ajority, he has been con- 
nected with the Democratic party and has been a 
delegate to the countv, St.ate and congressional 



612 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



conventions, and is an ex-member of the Demo- 
cratic count}' committee. 

The career of our subject has been successful be- 
cause lie is evidently one of those fortunate phy- 
sicians who are born, not made. Very often his 
best medicine has been his presence, and many are 
the families in his long experience who have in- 
trusted their troubles of mind as well as bodily ills 
to his tender care. 



'' ' i^- 



^^ 



eOL. CASPER W. BELL, for many years 
a conspicuous member of the Chariton 
County Bar, and one of the most eloquent 
and accomplished lawyers of the State, was born in 
Welch's Tract, Prince Edward County, Va., Febru- 
ary 2, 1819. The grandfather of our subject was 
Col. George Bell, who was a native of County 
Cork, Ireland. He was a Major in the British 
army, but became connected with the Emmet re- 
bellion, and for this reason had to leave his native 
land. He made his way to Virginia, where he lo- 
cated and later took an active part in the Revolu- 
tionary War as a Colonel in the American army. 
After settling down, he became an extensive 
planter and land-owner in the State and married 
Betsey Calhoun, a sister of Col. Pat Calhoun, the 
father of Hon. John C. Calhoun. He lived to be 
one hundred and ten years old, having been a 
man of iron constitution. 

The father of our subject was also a soldier, tak- 
ing part in the War of 1812. He too- became a 
wealthy man, owning at the time of his death 
some four or five fine farms in Lunenburg 
County, Va. He lived to be seventy-nine years of 
age. The mother of our subject was Sarah Mont- 
fort Street, born in Lunenburg County, a daugh- 
ter of Col. Anthony Street, who was born in Vir- 
ginia and became a Colonel in the Revolutionary 
AVar. The latter married a sister of Gen. Mont- 
fort Stokes, and of Gen. John .Stokes, in whose 
office President Andrew Jackson studied law. The 
mother died at the age of sixty-five years. The 
Streets were of English descent, the great-grand- 
father liaving come direct from England. 



Col. Bell's parents were wealthy and influential, 
and he had tiie best educational advantages that 
the county afforded. In early youth, he was in- 
structed at a private school, held at the home of 
his father, and there in connection with the com- 
mon branches he studied both Greek and Latin. 
After this he entered William and Mary College, 
having for his classmates many who afterward 
distinguished themselves, and among these was 
John Tyler, Jr. Our subject graduated from there 
in 1837, with distinguished honor, and with the 
degree of A. B. After graduating, he went to 
Mississippi and read law under Hon. Henry S. 
Foote, at that time the Surveyor of the State. In 
18.38 he entered the Universitj' of Virginia, at 
Charlottesville, and graduated from these in 1839, 
with the degree of LL. B., in the same class with 
Henry Winter Davis, of Maryland; George W. 
Randolph, of Virginia, and Gen. Ayres, of South 
Carolina, all of whom subsequentlj' became ])romi- 
iient in their respective States. 

Thus ecpiipped with a thorougli education, our 
subject came to Missouri and located at Bruns- 
wick, where he began the practice of law Decem- 
ber 10, 1843. Here he came into competition with 
such men as Judge Abiel Leonard, Gen. John B. 
Clark, Sr., Hon. B. F. Stringfellow, Col. Robert 
Prewitt, Hon. William Slack, and others hardly 
less prominent. Such, however, were his qualifica- 
tions and ability, his address and industry, that he 
soon took a commanding position at the Bar with 
the very best lawyers of the Eleventh Judicial 
District. He continued in practice in this and 
neighboring circuits, comprising some nine differ- 
ent counties, and in the Superior Court, with in- 
creasing success .and growing influence until the 
breaking out of the Civil War. 

Until the demise of the Whig party, our subject 
had been an earnest and consistent Whig, and al- 
though he had had but little taste for the life 
of the politician, preferring to devote his whole 
time and attention to the practice of his profession, 
yet he was looked upon as the leader of that party 
in his section of the State, and as one of its ablest 
and brightest representatives. If he had been dis- 
posed to devote himself to politics, there was no 
office in the State for wliich the Whig party would 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD. 



r,i.3 



not liave gladly supported him, and it is not im- 
piobable that if, during tlie time under review, 
Missouri had been Wliig instead of Democratic, 
no office in tlie gift of the people, wiietlier State 
or ?Y'deral, would have been beyond his reach. 

At an early period in the professional career of 
Col. Bell, he was nominated by the Whig party 
for the State Legislature, and although defeated 
at the polls, his defeat was a greater triumph for 
him personally • than if he had had a majority 
parly vote. At that time the average Democratic 
majority in the county was one thousand, yet 
such was his personal popularity that he was de- 
feated by only seventy-five votes. He was four 
times nominated for Congress by the Wliig party, 
but each time declined the honor, not caring to 
make a useless race in an overwhelming!}' Demo- 
cratic district. 

At the outbreak of the war, Mr. Bell, being a 
Virginian and identified with the South by every 
consideration of sympathy and interest, warmly 
espoused the Southern cause, and was very active 
in raising volunteers for State and Confederate 
service. In the spring of 1861, he was commis- 
sioned Adjutant-General of Gen. Clark's division 
of Missouri State Guards, and served in that posi- 
tion until tlie following fall, during which time 
the battles of Wilson's Creek, Dry Wood and Lex- 
ington were fought. At the meeting of the State 
Legislature at Bcntonville, Clay Count}', Mo., in 
October, 1861, he was nominated for the Confed- 
erate Congress from this State and was unani- 
mously elected, being the only man wlio received 
every vote in the Legislature. 

Col. Bell was nominated by Daniel Robbius, of 
Adair County, and he continued to represent this 
district until the close of the war. The other men 
connected with him at this time were John B_ 
Clark, R. L. Y. Payton, G. (i. Vest (now Ignited 
States Senator), Aaron Conroe, William M. Cook, 
Thomas S. Harris and James Freeman. In Con- 
gress, our subject took high rank and his speeches 
were remarkable for eloquence and finish. While 
there he introduced and supported a bill in re- 
ference to guerrillas, who infested several States, 
Missouri in particular, and took the ground that 
they should be connected witli some army division 



or be treated as outlaws. lie edited a column in 
the Richmond Examiner, called the " Missouri 
column" in which he advocated the appointment 
of Gen. Sterling Price as Major-General in the 
Confederate army and secured his appointment. 
During his absence from Missouri, his property in 
Brunswick was all destroyed, and as Iiis Virginia 
patrimony had all been invested in Confederate 
bonds, which were rendered worthless b}' the war, 
our subject suffered severe financial loss. 

After the war. Col. Bell practiced in Danville, 
Va., until 1867, and remained there until the law 
was so changed that he could again resume prac- 
tice in Missouri. When he returned to this State, 
he was practically without means and had to be- 
gin afresh. However, his abilities soon placed him 
upon a firm foundation again, and in 1874, he was 
elected Prosecuting-Attorney of Chariton County 
and was re-elected until 1885, when he resigned to 
accept the appointment as special attorney for the 
adjustment of Indian depredation claims in the 
Interior Department at Washington, D. C, where 
he did valuable service in the settlement of over 
two thousand claims. In August, 1889, he re- 
signed and located in Salisbuiy, where he con- 
tinues the practice of law. Col. Bell is careful in 
the preparation of his cases and is quick to see and 
take advantage of every favorable point. As an 
attorney, he ranks with the best in this section of 
the State, and is unanimously esteemed for his 
sterling integrity, and manly, generous impulses. 
A man of superior culture and attainments, he 
has the modesty which usually accompanies learn- 
ing, — indeed his excessive modesty is one of his 
leading characteristics. 

Since the disintegration of the Whig part}-, our 
subject has been identified with the Democrats 
but has taken no very active part in politics. Ilis 
principal connection with political aflfairs has been 
to serve in the State and county conventions, of 
which he has alw.ays been a safe and able member, 
and to make speeches during the campaigns, he be- 
ing a ready and fluent speaker. The great zeal he 
always shows for his friends is one of the most 
marked traits in his character. No man in the 
State is capable of stronger and truer friendship, 
and his esteem and confidence once obtainetl lie is 



614 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD. 



as true as steel to those who gain them, and no 
service or sacrifice, within the bounds of reason, is 
too great for him to undertake. Senator Vest 
once said of liini, "Casper Bell is one of the truest 
and most unselfish men I ever knew." To this 
qualitj' is largely due his great personal popularity, 
which has almost grown into reverence as he has 
advanced in 3'ears. Honorable in every impulse^ 
those who know him know tliat they can trust him 
implicitly. From tlie beginning of his career, he 
lias been regarded as a lawyer of a high order, and 
he has never been found prosecuting cases in 
which there were not strong evidences of guilt, 
but when lie does call the accused before the court 
he seldom fails to convict. 

Col. Bell was married in Howard County, IMo., on 
tiie 6th of August, 1844, to Miss M. Owen, who w.as 
born in Howard Count}', a daughter of Gen. Igna- 
tius Owen, who commanded a brigade in the 
Black Hawk War and was present at the surrender 
of that noted chief. Col. and Mrs. Bell had ten 
children, five sons and five daughters, only three 
of whom are still living, namely': Monfort Wistar, 
a prominent attorney in San Francisco, C.al., and a 
member of the firm of Carnall, Hopkins & Co., 
large land-agents; Mary, Mrs. J. T. Fort, of Ran- 
dolph County, Mo.; and Fannie Street, who is at 
home. Col. Bell is a valued member of the Pres- 
byterian Church, and has long been connected 
with the Missouri State Bar Association. He is a 
man of commanding appearance and a typical rep- 
resentative of the courtly and self-respecting old- 
school gentleman of Virginia. His practice in this 
county has continued since December, 1842. 



VfOIIN H. HAMILTON. The ottiee of Prose- 
cuting Attorney is universally admitted to 
be an exalted as well as a most necessary 
one — the righting of wrongs and the protec- 
tion of society constantly demanding the services 
of that oflieial. It is well that the sense of honor 
is high in tlie profession, since trickery, evasion 
and knavery could work great evil. Our subject 
iiiaiiitaiiis a |)ix>u(l rank al the Bar, coiniiiamling 



the respect and confidence of his legal associates 
as well as of the public. He and liis family reside 
in a pleasant house on Camden Avenue, Rich- 
mond, in which city he has built up a good prac- 
tice. 

Mr. Hamilton was born in Fishing RiviT Town- 
ship, Ray Count}', Mo., on the 2d of September, 
1856, being the son of Thomas and Rebecca 
(Shackelford) Hamilton. The father was born 
in Canard County, K3'., and followed the oc- 
cupation of a farmer. He was married in Clay 
County, Mo., and died in June, 1886, in DeKalb 
County, Mo., to which county he had removed 
in the year 1880. The mother of our sub- 
ject was the daughter of Ryland Shackelford, 
who was of Scotch-Irish descent, and an old settler 
of Clay County. She died in Ray Count}-, in the 
year 1861. The paternal grandfather of our sub- 
ject, Thomas Hamilton, was a native of Virginia, 
of Scotch-Irish descent. 

Our subject is the eldest of three living children 
in the parental family, and resided upon the home 
farm until seventeen years old, meanwhile carry- 
ing on his studies in the district school. At the 
age named he began teaching in country schools 
near his home district, and continued thus engaged 
for four years, after which he attended the State 
University of Missouri, at C'olumbia, for two 
terms. He conducted his legal studies with C. T. 
Garner & Son, and was admitted to the Bar at 
Plattsburgh, Mo., in 1880. He began the practice 
of his profession at Richmond with .lames W. Gar- 
ner, and while that gentleman filled the position 
of Prosecuting Attorney, Mr. Hamilton acted as 
Assistant until 1884, when he was elected to the 
office of Public Administrator of Ray County, 
serving for four years. 

In January, 1889, a partnership was formed for 
the practice of law with James E. Ball, under the 
firm name of Ball & Hamilton, which continued 
up to December, 1892, at which time the same was 
dissolved. Our subject was nominated on the 
Democratic ti^cket as a party candidate for the 
oflfice of Prosecuting Attorney of Ray County in 
May, 1892, and was elected to said office the fol- 
lowing November. Mr. Hamilton was married 
December 11, 1888, to Miss Annie .lackson, of 



POETRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



615 



Westport, Mo., the dau,2rhter of C. R. Jackson, of 
tlie same place, and three children have been 
liorn to bless their union. Mr. Hamilton takes a 
deep interest in politics, and is an ardent advo- 
cate of the Democratic principles. His good judg- 
ment in i)arty matters is generally admitted. He 
is a member of Richmond Lodge No. 57, A. F. A' 
A. IM., and Richmond Chapter No. 36, R, A. M. 



=-^^+^[ 



^^EORGE WASHINGTON WILLIAMS, one 

III ,_— , of the very oldest resident settlers of Char- 
^^ijj iton County, and of the city of Salisbury, 
one who has seen and taken part in the develop- 
ment of the whole of this section, is the subject of 
this present sketch. He is the President of the 
Model Milling Company, and a Director and 
stockholder in the Salisbury Canning Company. 

George AV. Williams was born near Fayette, 
Howard County-, January 22, 1833. His grandfa- 
ther, Edward Williams, was a Revolutionary sol- 
dier and a farmer. Somewhere about the year 
1819 he came to Missouri and located near Fay- 
ette, in Howard Countj', where he engaged in suc- 
cessful farming for many years. He then sold his 
property there and located in .Salisbury Township, 
in Chariton County, where he died about 1846. 
The father of our subject was named Samuel Will- 
iams; he was born in Madison County, K3\, and 
was about sixteen when the family came to 
Missouri. In 1835 he located in Salisbury Town- 
ship, and here he had over six hundred acres of 
land, well improved. At this place he died in 
1860, when but fifty-five years of age. mourned by 
a large family of children. In his politics he was 
an adherent of the Democratic part}-, and for long 
years was a consistent member of the "•IlardsheH" 
Baptist denomination. In his younger manhood 
he had taken a part in the Black Hawk War. 

The m-other of our subject is Martha (Morris) 
AVilliams, who was born in Je.ssamiue Count}', 
Ky., a daughter of Nathaniel IMorris, a farmer in 
Kentucky, who became a resident of Missouri 
about 1818 iind died there. She resides on the 
old home farm, which now is owucmI Ii\- 1<;. M. 



Williams, and here she finds a pleasant home in 
her declining days. She is now eighty-two j-ears 
old. Her family of nine children have grown up, 
many of them having homes of their own. Nancy 
J., now Mrs. Collison, resides in .Salisbur}' Town- 
ship; George W. is the subject of this sketch; Sa- 
rah, Mrs. Wright, resides in Salisbury; E. M. is a 
farmer here; Paulina, Mrs. Bonning, resides in 
Salisbur}-; Susan, Mrs. Dj^sart, resides in Macon 
County, Mo.; Ellen, Mrs. Williams, resides in Sal- 
isbury; and M. Josephine, Mrs. Donaldson, resides 
in Salisbury, as does also the 3'oungest of the fam- 
ily, Minnie, Mrs. Copeland. 

Our subject was tiie second oldest in the family 
of children that gathered around the hearth of the 
two excellent people above mentioned. Since 
1835 he has been a resident of Chariton County. 
In his youth he had but limited school advantages, 
and his earliest recollections of the "temple of 
learning" is of a log schoolhouse in a little clear- 
ing in the woods, and in it the most conspicuous 
object was the huge chimney built of mud and 
sticks in quite as ai'tistic a manner as the nests of 
the Denmark storks. The seats upon which the 
little lads and lassies rested their tired bodies after 
their tramps of from three to five miles through 
the snow, were made of rough-hewn slabs. Here 
they sat studying their elementary spelling books, 
and "doing the sums" in the old Smiley & Ray 
arithmetic. The big boys and girls sat in the back 
part of the rooms and had a nice slab fastened 
against the wall, where the writing was done in 
foolscap writing-books, with quill pens. Three 
months in winter was the limit of time given to 
the cultivation of the intellect in those da3's, for 
work was pressing, many mouths were to be filled, 
and in many cases the pedagogue in winter be- 
came the farmer in summer and the sciiool could 
not be continued. 

The land which was entered by the father of our 
subject consisted of one hundred and twenty-live 
acres, and he remained at home until 1854, when 
he came to his present place. At that time there 
were plenty of deer and game over the country-, 
but no buildings had been erected where this 
thriving little city now stands. Soon his log cabin, 
consisting of a room one stor}' high, 16.\16, with 



616 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



an oak floor, arose in the woods, and beside it a 
little log stable, and in this primitive home he 
lived, improving his farm, fencing it, and working 
hard, but all the time seeing with his own eyes the 
progress he was making. 

At first our subject was contented witii a farm 
of eighty acres, but he grew ambitious and now 
has a place of one hundred and ten in one farm, 
with forty acres in another, and thirt3'-seven in 
timber. This he cultivates, raising grain and to- 
bacco. When the proposed line of the Wabash 
Railroad, then called the Northern Missouri, was 
survejed, it was found tliat the line ran through 
our subject's farm, and he generously gave a quar- 
ter of a mile right of waj' to the company. In 
1860 he laid out the Williams' Addition of twenty 
acres to the city. The real growth of the city be- 
gan in 1865, when the "boom" reached these reg- 
ions so lately resounding with the whoop of the 
savage, and lots were eagerly purchased, Mr. Will- 
iams soon selling all of his land. 

In 1873 our subject became the owner of the 
Salisbury Mills, and these he continued to run un- 
til 1890, when he sold them, and the present cor- 
poration, known as the Model Rolling Mill Com- 
pany, was formed. A new brick mill was built 
with a capacity of sixty barrels a day. It has 
steam power and full roller process. Our subject 
is President of this company, which has a capital 
of $12,000. They have sold the old mill and or- 
ganized the Salisbury Canning Company, an in- 
dustry which promises to become one of the most 
important in this flourishing city. 

Mr. Williams has shown a rare business talent, 
which displayed itself earlj^ in life, .as before he 
was fifteen years of age he wfis the owner of one 
or two hor.ses. lie did the breaking of the colts 
on the farm and when twenty-one he began buy- 
ing and selling stock for himself and has done 
much of this ever since. In 1863 he began the 
shipping of stock to St. Louis and has fed cattle 
for over twenty 3ears. He now owns some fine 
cattle, three thoroughbred horses, and two hundred 
and sevent}' acres of farm land which is watered 
by Puzzle Creek. At the time of his settlement 
in the county, it was a day of individual and iso- 
lated effort. An industrious famih iiad ;dl that it 



could grow, such clothing as the loom of the 
household could produce, such furniture as could 
be made upon the place, and little else. But times 
of this kind have produced brave men and noble 
women, who have performed well their tasks in 
life. 

February 10, 1893, our subject suffered an irrep- 
arable loss in the death of his wife, whom he had 
married in 1864. She was in her maidenhood 
Miss Margaret L.Wright, and was born in Howard 
County and there reared until 1850; when the 
family located here. She was the daughter of 
William Wright, a successful farmer. One child 
was born to Mr. and Mrs. Williams, Samuel, now 
residing on the home farm. Mr. Williams is a 
sturd}' Democrat and man}' times has been a dele- 
gate to the county and congressional couventions, 
and three times to the State convention. He is a 
liberal, public-spirited man, well and favorably 
known throughout the countv. 



■jf UDGE GAVON D. BURGESS, elected in 
November, 1892, to the honored position 
of Judge of the Supreme Court of Missouri, 
h.as during a long career of usefulness oc- 
cupied various official positions of trust, and by an 
unvarying course of sterling integrity and faith- 
ful fidelity to the interests intrusted to his care, has 
won the thorough confidence of every resident of 
Missouri. The home of our subject has been for 
more than twenty-seven years in Linneus, Linn 
County, and within this time, aside from other ac- 
tive work of life, he was three times returned to 
the .Judicial Bench of the Circuit Court. No more 
popular man to-day lives within the limits of Linn 
County than our subject, whose characteristics of 
energy and enterprise are supplemented by lib- 
erality of sentiment and broad and generous judg- 
ment. 

.Judge Burgess was born in Mason County, Ky., 
November 5, 1834, and is the son of Henry D. 
Burgess, who was a native of Marjland but early 
settled in Mason County, Ky., and there married 
Miss Eveline Dye, the dfiughler of Willinra Dye, 





J^Ma^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



619 



Henrj' D. Burgess was a farmer and spent some 
years in Mason County, engaging in the tilling of 
the soil. Later removing to Fleming County, Ky., 
he was there elected to the State Legislature and 
so satisfactorily performed the duties of his oflice 
that he was returned a second time to his seat in 
the legislative halls. He was a strong and life-long 
Democrat and a warm supporter of the party. 
Henry D. Burgess was the father of seven children, 
of whom our subject was the fourth in order of 
birth. Three daughters yet survive, two residing 
in Missouri and one in Kansas. Gavon D. is the 
only son now living. 

Our subject was reared and educated in the 
schools of Fleming County, and remained in Ken- 
tucky until twenty-two years of age. He read 
law with AVilliam H. Cord, the author of "Law 
on the Rights of Married Women." After Judge 
Burgess had pursued his studies for some time he 
was admitted to the Bar and practiced for one 
year. He then came to Missouri, and in the spring 
of 1856 located at Milan, where he remained suc- 
cessfully engaged in the practice of his profession 
for ten years. During 1858 and 1859, he repre- 
sented Sullivan County in the State Legislature, 
and as a member of some of the most important 
committees did excellent service in behalf of his 
constituents. In 1866 he made his permanent 
home in Linneus, and in 1874 was elected upon 
the Democratic ticket to the Bench of the Circuit 
Court, which, acceding to the popular vote of the 
people, he occupied three successive terms. The 
elevation of Judge Burgess to the Supreme Bench 
was a well-deserved honor and a sincere tribute to 
Ids legal knowledge and superior ability. 

Our subject was married in ISIarch, 1855, to Miss 
Cordelia, daughter of Robert Trimble, a prominent 
agriculturist and stock-raiser of Flemingsburgh, 
Ky. Mrs. Burgess is a native of Fleming County, 
Ky., and was there reared and educated. Judge 
Burgess and his estimable wife became the parents 
of one child, who passed away in infancy. Fra- 
ternally, our subject is a member of the Ancient 
Order of United Workmen and is a Master Mason. 
Politically, he is first and last a Democrat and an 
enthusiastic supporter of the principles of true 
Democracy. Judge John L. Thom.as and Judge 

31 



Madill, of St. Louis, and Judge Hall, of St. Joseph, 
were the competitors of Judge Burgess for the 
Supreme Bench, and while each of tliese three dis- 
tmguished gentleman would have undoubtedly 
given excellent service in this high position, the 
choice of our subject afforded unbounded satisfac- 
tion to the citizens of Linn County, who regard 
Judge Burgess .is a friend, old neighbor and fel- 
low-citizen upon whose record there is'neither blot 
nor shadow of stain. 



^ILLIAM G. STAPP. When Benjamin 
Franklin appeared before the gay court of 
Louis XVI., he wore a suit of jeans, yet 
potentates bowed down to do him honor, for they 
recognized beneath his humble habiliments a wise 
and sagacious man. This points its own moral and 
strengthens one in the conviction that "worth 
makes the man, the want of it the fellow." Among 
the many worthy citizens of Ray Couuty, there is 
none that occupies a higher place in the estimation 
of his fellows than AVilliam G.Stapp, for his kind- 
ness of heart is proverbial, his intelligence sound 
and at all times to be relied upon, and his honor 
unimpeachable. He is a native of Howard County, 
Mo., and was born on the 7th of March, 1849, a 
son of Elijah and Elizabeth (Bradley) Stapp, who 
were also born on Missouri soil. The |)aternal 
grandparents were Kentuckians, who became resi- 
dents of Howard County during the early history 
of that section, and there died. 

The earl}' days of William G. Stapp were devoted 
to the calling of a farmer, but during this time he 
unfortunately received no opportunities for ob- 
taining an education, and this was a source of much 
regret to one of his aspiring and ambitious nature. 
He labored faithfully to reined}' this deficiency, 
allowed nothing to stand in his way in his efforts 
to obtain an education, and to say that his labors 
have been crowned with success would be but stat- 
ing whitt all know to be a fact, for he is regarded 
as one of the brightest stars in the business firma- 
ment tif his town. He not onl}' possesses much 



620 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD. 



native tact and energy, but has the valuable faculty 
of making work progress rapidly aud of directing 
his affairs in a business-like way. 

At the age of twenty 3-ears Mr. Stapp left home 
for the purpose of making his own way in the 
world, and for six montlis thereafter he worked in 
a spoke and handle factory in the State of New 
Jersey. At the end of that time he returned to 
Missouri aiid entered the employ of an uncle who 
was operating a sawmill. While with that gen- 
tleman he obtained a clear insight into the details 
of the work, and has since made milling and lum- 
bering his chief occupation, with the exception of 
four years, when his attention was directed to 
farming. 

.Tuly 12, 1870, Miss Martha Jane, daughter of 
Elijah Broaddus, a farmer of Howard County, be- 
came the wife of our subject. She was one of six 
children, and was a refined lady, a faithful wife, a 
devoted mother and a kind neighbor, whose many 
noble traits of character and true Christianity made 
her beloved by all. She fell a victim to consump- 
tion and on the 5th of January, 1873, was called 
to that bourne whence no traveler returns, her un- 
timely death being deeply mourned by all who 
knew her. She left a son, Lullian A., and an infant 
daughter, Mary Elizabeth. The latter was immedi- 
ately taken and cared for by our subject's sister, 
while Lullian A. remained with his father. 

For his second wife Mr. Stapp clio.se Miss Susan 
Jane Ay res, who was born September 8, 1856, a 
daughter of Matthew and .Sarah M. Ayres, both of 
whom were members of well-known Virginian 
families. At the time of his death, which occurred 
October 12, 1892, the father was .seventy-five years 
of age. The mother survives at the age of seventy- 
three years and resides in Saline County, Mo., on 
the old home place. To Mr. and Mrs. Stapp five 
children were born, but two died in infancy. Ola 
Bell was born May 25, 1880; William Edgar, 
March 28, 1882, and Everett, October 31, 1886. 
The children are now attending .school. After his 
marriage to his second wife Mr. Stapp brought his 
two eldest children to his home, and to them Mrs. 
Stapp has been a kind and indulgent niotlier, car- 
ing for them as her own children, and at all times 
giving them good and disinterested advice. Siie 



has been rewarded with their warm regard and by 
seeing them grow to honorable manhood and wo- 
manhood. L\illian is now attending a business col- 
lege in Kansas City, and Mary E. is the wife of 
Luke Dorton,whom she married .September 15, 1892. 
Mr. Dorton is a son of J. W. Dorton, of Orrick, 
and he was born September 16, 1864. By occupa- 
tion he is a miller and carries on that business in 
Orrick with his father, a sketch of whom apiiears 
on another page of this work. 

After his second marriage Mr. Stapp eiected a 
steam .sawmill in the town of Orrick, where he 
does all kinds of work in his line and keeps on 
hand a large stock of soft and hard wood lumber 
and building material. May 1, 1891, in partner- 
ship with Dr. George E. Hamilton, he opened a 
drug store in Orrick, which they conducted suc- 
cessfully for one year. Mr. Stapp then sold liis in- 
terest to W. R. Vanhoozer and has since devoted 
his entire time and attention to his extensive lum- 
ber interests. His facilities for tran.sacting business 
are unusually complete, enabling him to offer special 
advantages to customers, and to fill all orders in 
the most satisfactory manner. 

The principles of Democracy are actively sup- 
ported by Mr. Stapp, who has successfully filled 
the offices of Clerk, Mayor and Councilman of this 
city. His career while in office was marked by 
faithfulness to dut}-, intelligence and a worthy de- 
sire to improve and benefit the town. In personal 
appearance he is prepossessing, and his genial man- 
ners and pleasant word of welcome to rich and 
poor alike have been the means of winning him 
many friends and have made him popular with all 
classes. 



UFUS E. TOWER is one of the most exten- 
sive land-owners of Linn County, and 
''^ \V makes his home on section 22, townsliip 
, range 21. His paternal grandfather, 
Asahel Tower, was a valiant patriot in the War of 
the Revolution, while his father, Asahel Tower, a 
native of Massachusetts, participated in the War 
of 1812. The latter married Mar}- Palmer, and of 



PORTRAIT AND BlOGRAPmCAL RECORD. 



621 



their family of eight children three were sons and 
five daughters, as follows: Henry A., who is a 
farmer in Winchester, N. II.; George F., a manu- 
facturer of candles and glj-eerine in St. Louis; 
Mary E., wife of S. W. Buffam, residing in Win- 
chester, N. IL; -Julia, wife of Henry Gould, also of 
Winchester; Sarah M., now Mrs. Harry Bliss, liv- 
ing in New Haven; and P'annie E., a resident of 
New York City, as is also Hannah S. 

The subject of this sketch is a native of Massa- 
chusetts, his birth having occurred in Lancaster, 
Worcester County, February 26, 1830. Upon his 
arrival in Missouri in 1856, he located at St. 
Louis, where he established himself and was en- 
gaged in the grocer}' business for twent}^ years. 
In 1876 Mr. Tower settled upon the farm which 
he has since made his home. He owns eleven hun- 
dred and eighty acres, which are situated in Clay 
and Parsons Townships. He has made a specially 
of raising fine horses, cattle, mules and sheep. 
The land, which cost him from $5 to 115 per acre, 
has been so extensively' improved by him that its 
value is now estimated at $30 per acre. He uses 
the latest machiner\- and modern ideas in the de- 
velopment and cultivation of his property, which 
is a model farm of the last decade of the nine- 
teenth century. 

In AVorcester, in 1855, Mr. Tower and Miss Sarah 
J. Chapin were united in marriage. The father of 
Mrs. Tower, Joseph Chapin, was born in Massa- 
chusetts, where he was a large manufacturer of 
woolen goods in after life, but later removed to 
New York City, where he engaged in commercial 
pursuits up to the time of his death. He was a son 
of Col. Chapin, who was an active participant in 
Shay's rebellion in the Revolutionary War, and 
who was raised to his rank on account of marked 
bravery and faithful service. Mrs. Tower was 
))orn in the same town in Worcester County as 
was her husband, and by her marriage became the 
mother of two children, both of whom died and 
were buried in St. Louis. 

As a business man and farmer, Mr. Tower has 
made a signal success in life, and has manifested 
his ability in all departments. He is a member of 
the Masonic society, belonging to the Blue Lodge 
No. 8, R. A. M., to the St. Louis Chapter No. 8, 



and alsQ to the Blue Lodge No. 82, at Linneus, 
Mo. lie is a loyal Republican, though he is not 
desirous of obtaining oflicial positions. He is a 
member of the Horse Thief Protective Associa- 
tion. 



^^-M^l@^:s1[ 



Ip^jGBERT W. RENICK. The name of Renick 
lU^ is a familiar one in Ray County, not only 
'-Si fl^ because there are many of the family, but 
also because that name is synonymous with 
energ}', thrift and moral qualities. As a neighbor 
truthfully said in speaking of the family, "It is 
real good stock all around." Robert W. Renick is 
no exceiJtion to the rule and is an honest, straight- 
forward, industrious and enterprising man. He 
resides in township 52, range 27, Ray Count}', and 
is a native of Missouri, having been born in La 
Fayette County in 1847. 

The father of our subject, James W. Renick, was 
a son of Robert, who in turn was a son of Thomas 
Renick. The latter was probably born in Green- 
brier County, Va., and was of Welsh ancestry. By 
occupation he was a farmer, as were nearly all of 
the first families of Virginia. In 1812 he and his 
family and two sisters were captured by the In- 
dians, but all of them escaped except one son, who 
was carried off and reared by the Indians. In time 
he married and became one of their tribe and so 
thoroughl}' had he become accustomed to the wild 
life of the forest that although he was induced to 
return home for a time he soon wearied of the re- 
straints of civilization and returned to his dusky 
wife and ended his days among his adopted people. 
It was especial!}' lonely for him when he returned 
to his parents from the fact that he could converse 
only in the language of the tribe with which he 
had remained so many years. 

Thomas Renick participated in the War of 1812 
and afterward removed his family to Kentucky, 
being one of the pioneers of that State. He resided 
on the frontier and was twice captured by the In- 
dians. Robert, the grandfather of our subject, was 
born in Virginia, where he grew to manhood on a 
farm and married Mary Hamilton. After his mar- 
riage he emigrated to Clarke County, Ohio, where 



622 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



he purchased land aud followed farming and mill 
ing. Eight children were born to himself and 
wife, namely: Sarah, William, Isabella, Henry, 
John, James (father of our subject), Andrew and 
Robert, all of whom are now deceased. The grand- 
father was a devoted member of the Presbyterian 
Church. James W. Renick, the father of our sub- 
ject, was born in 1816. His father died when he 
was yet quite young and he made his home with 
an older sister. When she became a widow he ac- 
companied her to La Fayette County, Mo., making 
the trip in 1830. 

Unlike many of his neighbors, the above named 
gentleman had money enough to buy one hundred 
acres of land, which he cultivated. Nine years 
after his advent into the county he married Willie 
Warden, who was born in Boone County, Ky., and 
was the daughter of Rev. John Warden, a Baptist 
preacher, who migrated to La Fay^'-'^^ Count}', Mo. 
In 1844 the father of our subject began freighting 
for the Covernmeut to Western points, embracing 
Salt Lake City, Colorado, New Mexico and Cali- 
fornia, and continued in tliis business for sixteen 
years, during which time he was also engaged in 
conducting his farm. He was very successful and 
accumulated twelve hundred acres of land, to which 
he devoted his entire attention after he retired 
from the freighting business. The war deprived 
him of everything lie possessed except his laud, 
and that was greatly depreciated in value 
owinir to the ravages of both armies. In 1869 he 
came to Ray Count}- , Mo., where he Iwught six 
hundred and forty acres of land and remained here 
until his death, wliich occurred in 1892. Politi- 
callv, he was a Whig before the war, but after that 
great struggle became a Democrat. Like many 
others in his section his sympathies were with the 
South during the late war. He was appointed 
Stock Inspector of Texas cattle in La Fayette 
County, which position he filled with credit. 

Our subject was one of seven children, namely: 
Sarah, Mrs. J. Hill; Mary K.. Mrs. L. B. Wright; 
Robert, our subject; John IL, who married Emma 
Spurlock; James M., who died at the age of three 
years; William R., and Fannie, who marricl Cyrus 
Wrio-ht. Our subject received a common-school 
education and remained with his parents until 



their death. When twenty-seven years of age he 
married Susan J., daughter of Franklin T. and 
Louisa M. (Mitchel) Yates, all natives of Kentucky, 
although Mrs. lienick was reared in Missouri. One 
son has blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Renick 
and they have given him the name of James V. 
Our subject grew to manhood upon the farm 
and has always followed the occupation of a 
farmer. He is now the owner of two Innidred 
acres which he purchased in 1881 and on which he 
resides. He also has an interest in the old home- 
stead. Like his father before him, he is a member 
of the Democratic party, in the doctrines of which 
he is a firm believer. 



/^ HARLES C. HAMMOND, one of the most 
lii promising young men of Chariton Covinty, 
^^^Mo., and a successful practicing attorney of 
the place, is the subject of this sketch. The ancestors 
of the Hammond family were Englisli, and the 
grandfather, Talbott, was born in Virginia, where 
he liecame a farmer. Later he moved into West 
Virginia, and there carried on agriculture, and tliere 
he died. The father of Mr. Hammond of this no- 
tice, Hon. Charles Hammond, is one of the promi- 
nent men of the State of Missouri. He was born 
in Brooke County, W. Va., and was there reared 
until prepared for college. His collegiate course 
was taken at La Fayette College, located in Easton, 
Pa., aud from this celebrated institution of learn- 
ing he graduated witli the degrees of A. B. and 
A. M. 

In 1858, Mr. Hammond came into tlie State of 
Missouri, and began teaching school in this county. 
Later he studied law under Thomas Price, of Bruns- 
wick, was admitted to the Bar, and began practice. 
He lias been in practice in this county for over 
thirty years. In 1875, he was made a member of 
the Constitutional Convention of Missouri, and 
the next term was admitted to the State Legislature. 
For many years he has been a prominent and ac- 
tive attorney and politician. His age is only fifty- 
six years, and long years of usefulness and prefer- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



623 



nient may be before him yet. In his politics he is a 
Democrat, and takes an active interest in all pub- 
lic measures. A "blue-stocking" Presl>ylerian in 
his religious belief, he is a man respected in his 
church connection, in whicli he is an Elder. 

The mother of our subject was Pocahontas Ca- 
liell, a native of Keytesviile, this county, and a 
daughter of Charles J. Cabell, a native of A'irginia, 
who became an early settler of Chariton County. 
He located in Brunswick, and there engaged in ex- 
tensive farming. In early life, he was a sur- 
veyor in Louisiana, also practiced law, but was 
principally engaged in farming. He died at Bruns- 
wick, in 1882, at the age of seventj'-nine years, hav- 
ing been a member of the Christian Church. Mrs. 
Hammond's family trace their descent from the 
Rolfes, who became connected with the beautiful 
young Indian maiden, Pocahontas. 

Mr. and Mrs. Hammond had five children, but 
only two are living, our subject and his sister, Mrs. 
C. W. Bowman, of Brunswick. Charles Hammond 
was reared in Brunswick, and enjoyed the advan- 
tages of the public schools until he reached the 
age of eighteen, when he engaged in teaching, in 
which he continued for three years in his home 
locality. During 1881-82, he attended Westmin- 
ster College, and then took up the study of law 
under the wise guidance of his father. Our sub- 
ject was an apt pupil, and the knotty points of 
Blaekstone and Coke soon became plain to his brill- 
iant and eager mind, and in 1886 he was admitted 
to the Bar bj- Judge Burgess. A partnership 
was immediately formed with his father, and has 
continued ever since, the two making a strong 
firm. 

Air. Hammond is interested in several business 
interests, and was one of the organizers and Di- 
rectors of the First National Bank, and one of the 
originators of the Brunswick Building and Loan 
Association. In November, 1891, our subject 
moved into Salisbury, and started in regular prac- 
tice with an ottice on Main Street, in the L. 
Hommedieu Building, where his success has been 
of such a nature that his friends predict much for 
his future. Mr. Hammond holds a membership in 
tlie Presbyterian Church at Fulton, and in his 
political opinions he is a Democrat. 



November 10, 1892, our subject married Miss Kate 
Ward, daughter of Dr. William and Maria T. (Davis) 
Ward, the ceremony taking place at Mexico, this 
State. Mrs. Hammond's father was born in Penn- 
s^'lvania, and was educated in Washington Col- 
lege, of that State, whence he graduated with high 
honors. He is now engaged both as a physician 
and farmer. His wife, a native of Virginia, is 
connected with some of the best Virginia families, 
such as the Floyds, Johnstons and Carringtons. 
Mrs. Hammond, like her husband, has been a suc- 
cessful teacher; she is highly educated and accom- 
lished, her education having been conducted at 
home under the guidance of a tutor. She is one 
of a family of eleven children, onl3' six now liv- 
ing, five daughters and one son. 



• £ o:- 



RIjSLEY poind, an honored citizen and 
pioneer resident of Linn Countj^ came 
from Illinois to this locality nearly two- 
score years ago, and settling upon section 
18, township 59, range 20, has since 1854 been 
closely identified with the rapid advancement 
of this part of the State. He is a large property- 
owner, and in the evening of his days enjoys a 
comfortable competence gained by the industrious 
thrift of early years. Long associated with the 
development and promotion of the best interests 
of Linn County, he is widely known and higlil\- 
respected by his acquaintances. Since 1882 he has 
made his home in Linneus, and is practically re- 
tired from the active duties of agricultural life; 
in former j'ears, however, he was numbered among 
the leading farmers and stock-raisers of Missouri. 
Although Mr. Pound still retains tlie manage- 
ment of his extensive and valuable home farm, 
his time is mostly occupied in looking after his 
varied real-estate interests and in placing loans 
and mortgages. Our subject was born in Ken- 
tucky, October 22, 1812, and is the son of John 
Pound, a native of Maryland, who early emigrated 
to Kentucky with his parents, and there became a 
farmer and merchant of .lefferson County. He .ac- 



624 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



quired the ownership of one thousand acres of 
land and twenty-four slaves. A man of more 
than ordinary business ability, ho occupied a lead- 
ing position in his native State. He was the 
father of six children, of whom our subject was 
the third in order of birth. Tlie paternal grand- 
father, Benjamin Pound, served bravely in the 
Revolutionary War, and was a long-time resident 
of Marj'land. 

Our subject was reared in Jefferson County, Ky., 
and was educated in a little log schoolhouse, 
working in the summer time upon the farm. At 
the age of twenty-one he engaged in distilling 
whisky, but preferring other employment, soon 
hired out to a gardener. In the spring of 1833 
there came a severe frost which killed the tender 
plants of his employer, who could not then pay 
off his hands, and our subject, having looked about 
for other business, became the overseer of a plan- 
tation. A'fter a time he returned to his former oc- 
cupation, that of a distillerof whisky. In 1835, in 
company with Richard Slater, he went to Illinois, 
where he owned four hundred acres of excellent 
land near Camp Point, but in 1854, when the 
railroads became too near neighbors, our subject 
removed to Missouri. After locating upon his 
first Missouri homestead, he also bought land upon 
section 7, and farmed there until a. little more 
than ten \'ears ago, when, in 1882, lie made his 
home in the town of Linneus. 

In 1836 our subject married Miss Nancy Thomas, 
who was born in Shelby County, Ky. Mr. and 
Mrs. Pound are the parents of three sons and four 
daughters, of whom six children are yet living, 
and all occupy positions of usefulness and influ- 
ence. Mr. Pound formerly owned about one 
thousand acres of farming property, but has now 
in outside estate five hundred and eighty acres 
of land, besides which he owns four houses in Lin- 
neus, a two-fifths interest in the hotel, and a one- 
half interest in the Opera House Block. He is a 
member of the Christian Church, and materiallj- 
aids in the good works and enterprises of that or- 
ganization. He is a strong Democrat, and frater- 
nally is a member of the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows. Thoroughly understanding each 
detail of agricultural work, he is authority on gen- 



eral farming and stock-raising and in his many 
years' residence in Linn County has made a wide 
acquaintance and gained many sincere friends. 



AJ. THOMAS HENRY WALTON, Presi- 
dent of the Bank of Salisbury, a stock- 
holder in the Farmers' Bank at Keytes- 
ville, Vice-president of the Salisbury Build- 
ing and Loan Association, and stockholder in the 
Salisbury Opera House Company, is one of the 
most influential and prominent citizens of Salis- 
bury. The events of his life will possess more 
than ordinarj' interest for our readers, but before 
presenting these, some mention of his ancestors is 
advisable. His grandfather was of English birth, 
but came to America before the Revolutionary 
War, and settled in Buckingham Countj', Va., 
where he became an extensive planter. He was 
one of the patriots in the war that foUovved the 
unjust taxation by the Mother Country. 

The father, Thomas C, was born in Virginia, 
where he married and was extensiveh' engaged as 
a planter. He joined the State militia in the War 
of 1812. In 1832 he removed to Missouri, mak- 
ing the trip with a two-horse wagon and team, and 
consuming six weeks on the way. He located in 
Chariton County, three miles from Salisburj^, where 
lie entered a tract of one hundred and sixty acres 
and became a pioneer. Farming pursuits engaged 
his attention, and he added land to his original 
tract and at the time of his demise owned three 
hundred and twenty acres. His death occurred in 
1842, when he was but fortj'-one j-ears of age. 

When the famil}' settled in this wild place, they 
had the land farthest to the north and the coun- 
try was full of Indians, black bears, wolves and 
deer. In his boyhood our subject became an ex- 
pert marksman, and with his unerring rifle brought 
down the game with which the woods were filled. 
The mother of our subject, Nancy Truit Walton, 
was born in Buckingham County, Va., IMay 17, 
1795. Her father, Thomas Walton, was born in 
France and emigrated to this country prior to the 
Revolutionary War. He located in Virginia, where 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



625 



he engaged in farming. During the progress of 
tiie Revolution he served as captain of a bat- 
tery under Gen. Washington, and received a wound 
in the hand wliich made him a cripple for life. lie 
lived to an advanced age. The mother of Maj. 
Walton died here in March, 1860. She was a de- 
vout member of the Baptist Church. Of her fam- 
ily of nine children, eight grew to maturity, but 
only two are now living, our subject and a twin 
sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Mills, of Salisbury. 

Our subject was reared in Virginia, where his 
birth took place in Buckingham County, near Ap- 
pomattox Court House, December 13, 1826. At 
the age of six j'ears he accompanied his father to 
St. Louis, and thence to St. Charles. Reared on 
the farm, he had no school advantages until he 
was about sixteen _vears of age, when he was sent 
to a private school for several months during the 
winter seasons. It was necessary to walk three 
miles to a log schoolhouse, where the appurte- 
nances were of the most primitive description. All 
the shipments from the farm were then made from 
Lexington, Mo. 

In 1841), our subject with a party of two hun- 
dred started with teams and wagons for Cali- 
foi'nia. They crossed the Missouri, and struck the 
Platte and several large streams which they fol- 
lowed to South Pass and Devil's Gap, where they 
drove through the water past Independence Rock. 
From there they proceeded down the Green River, 
then up the Humboldt River about one hundred 
miles beyond the Hot Springs, and from there 
across the desert for forty miles. Proceeding up 
the Truckee River for two days, they struck the 
Sierra Nevada Mountains. Our subject drove a 
wagon up the mountains with twenty-two yoke of 
cattle, a feat never attempted by any modern 
knight of the sawdust. It was difficult to get up 
the mountains, but it was worse getting down on 
the other side, when the descent had to be made 
with ropes at .Steep Hollow. On this creek he 
struck some deer, stopped to mine a little, and then 
proceeded on down the Sacramento Valley. 

Maj. Walton drove six yoke of oxen across the 
plains, and the time consumed was six months. 
His mining operations on the American River 
were successful, and he returned in 18.52 via the 



Isthmus of Panama and New Orleans. Encount- 
ering severe storms, the vessel was ninety days at 
sea, and doubtless the voj'age proved very mon- 
otonous to all the passengers. It may be that 
our subject spent some of the time in practicing 
the Spanish which he had learned to speak in Cal- 
ifornia. His knowledge was not superficial, for 
while he was in Panama a week he acted as inter- 
preter and was urged to remain, but would not 
consent. 

After his return, our subject, in partnership with 
his brother, purchased the home farm and land 
adjoining and entered into farming on a large 
scale. They owned four hundred and eighty acres 
of well-improved land, and also other propert}' 
adjoining, which they operated. Here thej' raised 
hemp and tobacco. When the war broke out our 
subject joined his fortunes with the Confederate 
cause, enlisting as a volunteer in April, 1861. He 
raised Company B, of Gen. J. B. Clark's regiment, 
Price's brigade, and entered as a captain. He 
took part in the battles of Dry Wood and Lex- 
ington, and then fell back to Springfield, where 
the regiment went into winter quarters. The first 
important battle of the opening spring was that of 
Pea Ridge. Here he went with sixty-five men to 
cross a field where five thousand Iowa soldiers hi}' 
behind the fence. He lost fourteen men and was 
himself hit three times and knocked down, first by 
a spent ball in the forehead. After this the State 
guard was taken across the Mississippi to Mem- 
phis and disbanded. 

Our subject returned home with the idea of re- 
cruiting, but decided to return to his old com- 
mand, and was re-elected Captain in Shelby's 
brigade, Elliott's battalion. He took part in the 
battles of Helena (where three thousand men were 
lost); Cape Girardeau, Jenkins' Ferry and Mark's 
Mill and then proceeded to Springfield to work 
on the fortifications. Later, he participated in the 
battles of Hartwell, Independence and Lone Jack. 
Twelve officers were detailed to go into Missouri 
to recruit, and while so doing they had several 
skirmishes. They engaged in the fight at Inde- 
pendence while they were with (Juantrell, whom, 
however, they left. Our subject was in the battle 
of Lone .lack, which was very severely contested. 



626 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



one-half on either side being killed. A cannon 
was taken and retaken three times. Tlien our 
subject made his way north of the Missouri River, 
but soon went back to Arkansas and joined his 
company. He was commissioned Major of El- 
liott's regiment and took command of the men on 
Price's raid, participating in the battles of West- 
port, Little Blue, Newtonia and the skirmishes. 
After Lee's surrender Gen. Shelby went to Mexico 
and left the command in the care of our subject, 
who surrendered the brigade in Shreveport, .Tune 
13, 1865, and then went to Texas. After remain- 
ing there for about two months, he returned to 
his farm. This had been left in charge of his 
brother, who, being driven out, made his home in 
St. Louis until tlie close of the war. 

Tlie brothers had been bereft of everything but 
their land, but they went to work again and con- 
tinued with great success until the death of our 
subject's brother, November 23, 1879. This was a 
great blow to Maj. Walton. The two had been 
the closest of friends and partners in almost 
every venture from childhood. At that time 
the estate consisted of thirteen hundred acres, 
and the Major now owns the following tracts: 
The iiome farm, located three rpiles from the city, 
contains eight hundred acres, and upon this there 
is a nice residence with buildings and improve- 
ments, and the land is watered by Puzzle Creek. 
This he stocks and rents. One farm contains one 
hundred and seventy-five acres; another, one hun- 
dred and sixty; a third, one hundred and sixty; 
and forty acres are located in Chariton Bottom. 

While on the farm, Maj. AValton engaged in 
raising Southdown and Cotswold sheep and stand- 
ard horses, and was a dealer and shipper of stock. 
Since coming to the city in 1883, he built the fine 
large residence on West F'ourth Street, where his 
charming wife and daughters assist him in dis- 
])ensing hospitality. He has laid out a six-acre 
addition to the city, called Walton's Addition. 
He was one of the organizers of the Bank of Salis- 
bury in 187G, and has since been President of this 
institution. Through his instrumentality theacad- 
emy at Salisbury was founded, and he served as 
its Treasurer until his resignation in 1890. Al- 
ways taking an active interest in educational mat- 



ters, for years he was Clerk and Treasurer, and for 
a long time served as Director, now being Vice- 
president of the Board of Directors. He is a mem- 
ber of the Masonic order. In politics, he is a 
prominent Democrat, and has frequentl3' been a 
delegate to county and State conventions. For 
ten years he served on the Democratic Committee 
from this township, being its Chairman for four 
years. He has frequently served on the Grand 
Jury. 

Mr. Walton was married in Dalton, Chariton 
County, Mo., March 25, 1868, to Miss Laura Price, 
who was born near Dalton, and is the daughter of 
John W. Price, a native of Prince Edward County, 
Va. He married in that State, and in 1833 came 
to Missouri, where he located in Chariton County, 
near- Dalton, on five hundred acres of land. He was 
the owner of forty-five slaves and was well-to-do. 
In public affairs be gained great influence and 
served as County Judge. In his religious con- 
nections he was a consistent member of the Pres- 
byterian Church. His death occurred in March, 
1890. 

The grandfather of Mrs. Walton, .Tames Price, 
was a farmer of Virginia, of I<>nglish descent, and 
died in his native State. The mother of Mrs. 
Walton, Pluebe Price, was born in Prince Edward 
County, and was the daughter of Benjamin Price, 
a native of the same county. His wife was a mem- 
ber of the Williamson family and a sister of Gen. 
Price's mother. Benjamin Price was a farmer in 
Virginia, and there the mother died when Mrs. 
Walton was two years old. She was the young- 
est of her mother's six children. Eight children 
have been born to Maj. and Mrs. Walton, namely: 
John T., who received his literary education at 
William Jewell College, and his commercial edu- 
cation in the business college here, and who is a 
member of the Indejiendent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows; Aimee E., educated at Hardin College and 
the Presbyterian College of Nashville, Tenn.; Mar}' 
IL, who gained a good education in the same in- 
stitution of learning; Merriwether L. and Louisa 
Price, who are students in the Northern Missouri 
Institute; Thomas IL, Jr., Nancy T. and Isbeim 
Price, who attend the public school. 

Maj. Walton is the owner of some valuable land 




&^ y^yu ^^-eyu^ 




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



629 



in Alabama, in an association called The New De- 
catur Land and Town Site Company. He is one 
of the representative men of Salisbury, well known 
and iiighly regarded, lie and his accomplished 
wife are valued members of the Baptist Church, in 
which she takes a very active interest. Their 
home is one of luxury and refinement, presided 
over by Mrs. Walton, a lady of great charms of 
mind and person. 









^,, NDREW ELLIOTT. A native of Ray 
l^Ol County, and born when it was a sparsely 

fjl i' settled and wholly unimproved tract of 
land, our subject has witnessed the vari- 
ous mutations incident to the change of a great 
forest and uninhabited prairie country into a region 
of cultivated fields and thriving cities. What a 
wealth of adventure, incident and experience 
he must have gathered in all these j'ears! He was 
liorn September 8, 1822, upon the farm where he 
now lives, in township 51, range 28. 

Our subject is a son of John and Susan (Wells) 
Elliott, natives of Rowan and Orange Counties, 
N. C, respectively, the father having been reared 
upon a farm, where his fatlier died when he was a 
boy. He was one of eight children, namely: John, 
Thomas, David, Isaac, Abraham, Willis. Jacob, and 
Millie, wife of Mr. Misenhammer. The father re- 
mained upon the farm until 1818, when he came 
to Missouri and settled first in Carroll County, 
and then removed in the following year to Ray 
County, where he entered one hundred and sixty 
acres of land, and borrowed money at fifty per 
cent, interest to pay for the same. Adding to 
this purchase from time to time, he finally accu- 
mulated five hundred acres, not, however, with- 
out undergoing many hardships and privations. 

In order to protect themselves from the Indi- 
ans these early settlers had to build a block-house. 
Wild game abounded in those daj's, the woods 
being literally full of deer, bears, elk, wild turkeys, 
etc. In Raj' County John Elliott married Susan, 



daughter of Joseph and Susan Wells, natives 
of Orange County, N. C, the wedding occur- 
ring in 1819. They became the parents of the 
following children: Millie, wife of Daniel Tucker; 
our subjectand Anderson, twins; and Pernetie and 
Feruecie, twins, the latter, now deceased, having 
been the wife of Ambrose Tucker. The mother of 
these children died when our subject was but ten 
years of age. The father married again, his sec- 
ond wife being Eliza (Culbertson) P^lliott, by 
whom he had six children, namelj': Mary, wife of 
Joseph Ballew; Martha; Julia; Thomas, who 
served in the Union army under Lieut. Rig S. 
Rakes, and died in defense of his country; Jane, 
Mrs. W. M. Haskell, deceased; and Sarah, Mrs. 
Robert P. Ballew, deceased. 

John Elliott was the first Assessor of the county 
of Ray, and was well known as an old-line Whig 
and an uncompromising Union man. His devo- 
tion to the Union cost him his life, he having been 
murdered by a troop of the notorious "Bill" Ander- 
son's men. He was an old man at the time and 
nearly blind; yet this did not touch the hearts of 
the brutal men, for they shot him down while 
standing in his own doorway. Our subject re- 
mained at home with his father until the sad and 
terrible death of that honored parent. His edu- 
cation was obtained in the old log schoolhouse of 
a kind referred to frequently in this book — with 
split logs for seats, dirt floors, a stick chimney and 
greased paper for window glass. In 1862 he 
raised the first company of Union soldiers organ- 
ized in Ray County, under Col. King, our subject 
being chosen Captain. He took part in a number 
of battles and skirmishes until in 1863, when, on 
account of injuries received hy falling from his- 
horse, he was compelled to resign. 

Some time after his return from the army, Capt 
Elliott married Martha A. Ballew,daughter of Joseph 
and Catharine (Wilson) Ballew, all natives of Vir- 
ginia. Capt. and Mrs. Elliott have one child, Susan, 
wife of James W. Self, who is the mother of three 
children: Martha V., Andrew E. and Anderson A. 
Upon the return of our subject from the army he 
took charge of his father's farm, which he afterward 
bought, and subsequently added to until he has 
now seven hundred acres. He is a most iutel- 



630 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ligent and progressive agriculturist, and carries on 
a business of general farming and stock-raising. 
Politically' he is a Rei>ul)lican, firm in his convic- 
tions and unswerving in his party fealty. 






'LEXANDER W. WALKER, a retired 
farmer and Notary Public of Bogard, 
Carroll County, has ever been a loyal and 
Lhoroughly respected citizen, both in times 
of peace and war. His ancestors emigrated from 
England and Scotland to the United States during 
the seventeenth century. His maternal grand- 
father, AVarfield Shirley, who was born in Vir- 
ginia, attained the rank of Captain in the War 
with England in 1812, in a Kentucky regiment, 
where he displayed the qualities of a true and 
valiant soldier. The paternal grandfather, Alex- 
ander Walker, was also a native of the Old Domin- 
ion. Our subject is a son of P^dmon and Mary 
(Shirley) Walker, and was born in Adair County, 
Ky., September 28, 1838. 

Mr. Walker, of this sketch, was the eldest son in 
a family of eight children, and from early years 
was of great assistance to his father in the work of 
attending to his farm. When eleven years of age 
he removed to Jefferson County, Iowa, with his 
parents, in which State they remained for two 
years. In 1851 our subject located in Macon 
Count)', Mo., where he lived for five years. His 
education was that of the common schools, which 
he supi)lemented bj' judiciously selected read- 
ing and study. In the spring of 1857 he settled 
upon a farm in Carroll County. In 1860 he 
crossed the plains to the gold fields of the Rocky 
Mountains, and returned in time to take a part on 
the side of the ITnion in the War of the Rebellion. 
From 1807 to 1882 he was a citizen of Fairview 
Township, Livingston County, Mo., and was 
elected Assessor, Collector and Justice of the 
Peace; he was also Postmaster at Cavendish, Mo., 
for three 3'ears, and Census Enumerator in 1880 
and 1890. He has resided in Carroll County since 
1882, and in Bogard since 1892. 

In 18G2 our subject enlisted in the defcnso of 



his country, becoming a member of the Twenty- 
third Missouri Infantry, and serving until Janu- 
ary, 1865. He took part in many engagements, 
and was with Sherman on his celebrated march to 
the sea. In 1864 he was promoted to the rank of 
First Lieutenant, and was Acting-Adjutant of the 
regiment at the battle of Atlanta and during the 
march to the sea. After returning from the South 
in 1865, Mr. Walker married Miss Susan, a daugh- 
ter of Smith Campbell, of Livingston County, Mo. 
Of their \inion has been born three sons and three 
daughters, and the family circle is still unbroken. 
They are as follows: Edmon S.; Sidney E.; Mary 
A., wife of W. E. Thomas, of Bogard; Nellie, who 
is the wife of Warren Rosenberry. of Carroll 
County; Albert and Winnie. 

\f[ M. HAMILTON, one of the most promi- 
I noiit and popular citizens of Chariton 
■■^\ 1 Count}', Mo., is the subject of this sketch. 
y<^/J His fine farm of two hundred and ten acres 
is located on sections 16, 17 and 20, township 53, 
range 17. For many years he has been an active 
Democratic politician of the county, taking part 
in all the measures for public improvement, and 
holding many offices of honor and trust. 

Our subject was born in Virginia in 1826, the 
son of Nathan and Nancy (Stone) Hamilton, who 
were both born in Grayson County, Va., the father 
in 1780 and the mother about the same year. Our 
subject is the only survivor of a family of eleven 
children. His brothers and sisters were: Eliza- 
beth, who was born in Viiginia in 1801, married 
John Fugate, and died in 1842 leaying ten chil- 
dren; James, who was born in 1803, married Miss 
Ratcliff, and died in Pike County, Kj'., in 1863; 
Susan, born in 1806, who married a Mr. Fugate 
and resided in this State until her death; Richard 
P., who married a Miss Stone and died in Alabama; 
Wesley, born in 1810, who married a Miss Stringer 
and died in Georgia; Nancy, who was born in 
1812, married Thomas Gillingwaters and died in 
Alabama; Lucy, born in 1814, who married a Mr. 
Kiiifonu' ;iii(l resided in \'irginin; JNIatilda, who 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



631 



was born in 1818, nmrried William Baily and re- 
sided in Missouri; William N., who was born in 

1820, married Miss Elizabeth Forrest, and resided 
in Linn County; and Nathan, born in 1823, who 
was still at home at the time of liis death, at the 
age of seventeen j-ears. 

Our subject was educated in the common seliools 
of Virginia, but left school at the age of fifteen 
years and commenced farming for his father, re- 
maining with him until he was twenty-three years 
of age. He then bought a tract of one hundred 
and sixty acres, for which he paid 1125. After- 
ward he sold this land and purchased a two hun- 
dred and forty acre tract, paying for it $3o0, and 
selling it in 1865 for 13.000. After this sale, he 
moved to Chariton Count}-, where he purchased 
two hundred and forty acres of land in ranges 16 
and 17 at a cost of §10 per acre. Tliis was partially 
improved and he later sold some of it, retaining 
two hundred and ten acres for his own use, and 
this he now values at $50 an acre. The residence 
of our subject is a modern structure of two stories 
and seven rooms, erected at a cost of $2,000, and 
his new barn, built in 1892, and 40x44 feet in 
dimension, cost our subject 1500. The principal 
crops are wheat and corn, which with his stock 
bring him in an income of $2,500 a year. 

In 1849 our subject married Miss Elizabeth 
AVright, a native of Kentucky, who was born in 

1821, in Linn County, Mo. They reared seven 
children, as follows: Mary M., born in 1849, mar- 
ried AVilliam Hurt, a farmer of Chariton County, 
Mo., where they reside; William, born in 1852, 
married Julia Parks, and resides in Chariton 
County, Mo.; Julia, born in 1855, married David 
K. Johnson, and resides in this county; Thomas, 
l)orn in 1857, resides at home; P]liza, boi'n in 1860, 
nmrried J. B. Fugate and they reside in Howard 
County, Mo.; Edward, born in 1862, resides at 
home; and Koljert, born in 1866, resides in Sum- 
ner, Chariton County. Mrs. Hamilton died in 
1872. The children were all well educated in the 
common schools of tlie count}' and all grew up 
bright and intelligent. Mr. Hamilton married 
again in 1873, Mrs. Harriet C. Banning, a native 
of Howard County, Mo., becoming iiis wife. 

Our subject is a member of tlie Methodist 



Episcopal Cliurch South, of Asbury, and has been 
so connected since he was nineteen years of age. 
Three of his children are also members of tlie same 
denomination. His wife belongs to the Baptist 
Churcii of New Hope. He is a Trustee and has 
ever been a liberal supporter in church matters, his 
purse always being open to every good cause. 
Since 1862 he has been a member of Salisbury Ma- 
sonic Lodge No. 208, taking always a great inter- 
est in the affairs of the order. In 1872 he was 
made Public Administrator, holding the office for 
six years, and in 1878 he was elected Treasurer of 
Chariton Count}', which office he held for six 
years. In 1861 he enlisted in the Confederate 
army under Gen. Price, serving for six months. 
He also served under Col. Price in the Mexican 
War in 1846, for fourteen months, as Lieutenant 
of his company. 



ON. A. W. MYERS, the subject of our 
sketch, is an able attorney and a philan- 
thropic citizen, keenly alive to the best 
interests of the city of Brookfleld, in which 
resides. No warmer friend of the college can 
be found than he, and for years he was the ad- 
viser of the lamented Dr. Finley in all educa- 
tional matters. From the beginning he espoused 
the cause of the school, and raised the first $800 
for the academy. Re('ently he was deposed from 
his position as Trustee, which he had held from 
the beginning, becau.se a Presbyterian pastor of 
Brookfleld was resolved to ccmvert it into a strictly 
sectarian school and thus depart from the heart- 
dictated policy of our subject's dear friend, tlie 
founder, who, while he would have it under Pres- 
byterian control, wished it to be strictly non-sec- 
tarian. 

Mr. Myers has received full vindication at tiie 
hands of such exalted authority as the I'almyra 
Presbytery, which liad the offender, the Rev. Mr. 
Leonard, on trial before it November 17, 1892. 
After evidence had been taken, pleadings made 
and a verdict was about to be rendered, Mr. Leon- 
ard handed in his resie^iation, carrvinii' with it the 



632 



i'ORTRAlT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



trusteeship, the pastorate of tlie church, and the re- 
moval of the defendant from the Presbytery. Mr. 
Jlyers had nothing to do with the citati(m to trial 
or with the prosecution, but merely appeared as a 
witness upon demand of tlie Presbytery. It was 
understood that his attitude in the contention 
with Mr. Leonard grew out of liis love for the col- 
lege and his devotion to the memory of the de- 
ceased head of the institution, he believing that an 
illiberal policj^ would be an insult to the latter and 
l)rove seriously hurtful to the former. 

Our subject was born in .Tefferson County, Ohio, 
near Stenbenville, July 2, 1824. His father, Abram 
Myers, was born in Washington County, Pa., of 
Dutch ancestry, and when he was eight years of 
age he could not speak one word of English. At 
the age of nine he came to Ohio, where he grew to 
manhood and married Alargaret Spiller, a native 
of the Bucke3'e State, whose family settled there 
about 1808 or 1809. Our suljject remained in the 
county of his birth until he had reached the age of 
twenty years, at which time the family removed 
to Carroll County. From the age of twelve until 
twenty he worked in his father's mill and there 
learned the trade, but when he was twenty years 
old he entered the public school at Malvern. 
Later he pursued his studies in Carrollton College 
for five months, and afterward entei'ed Alleghany 
('ollege, at Meadville, Pa., where he enjoyed fine 
instruction for one j'ear. 

At the age of twenty-one, our subject began to 
teach school and followed this profession for four 
years, after which he began the study of law at 
Carrollton, Ohio, with Gen. E. R. Eckley and 
.James M. Davis. After two and one-half years of 
struggle with Coke and Blackstone, our subject was 
admitted to the Bar before the District Supreme 
Court at Carrollton, Ohio, to practice in all the 
State courts. He began his life work at Sandy- 
viile, Ohio, but after remaining there for two 3-ears 
he removed to Columbia Cit}', Ind., where he con- 
tinued in practice for a period of twelV-e 3^ears. 
During that time he did a great deal of political 
work, especially in the campaign of 1860, when he 
stumped the State for the Democratic candidate, 
Stephen A. Douglas. In August, 1862, he became 
Captain of Company F, One Hundredth Indiana 



Infantry, this being the third of the four compa- 
nies which he had personally organized in this 
county. Early in August, 1862, his companj- was 
ordered to Memphis, and after Gen. Van Dorn had 
cut them off at IloUy Springs, Miss., they were 
placed on garrison duty at La Grange, Tenn. Ex- 
posure here broke down his health, forcing him to 
resign in February, 1863. In the summer of the 
following year, upon the request of Gov. Morton, 
our subject raised another company, although he 
was not able to command it himself. In this line 
he had a noble record, having raised all the 
county's troops except the noted Fifth Indiana 
Batteiy, commanded by Capt. Simonson, whicli 
later in the war became so famous. Altogether he 
raised four hundred men, and thus kept his county, 
Whitely, exempt from draft. 

In 1864, our subject removed to Afton, Union 
County, Iowa, where he engaged in the live-stock 
business, as his health did not allow him to resume 
legal practice. November 6, 1865, he landed at 
Brookfield, Mo., at the request of his brother, L. K. 
Myers, who was Captain of the Twenty-ninth Iowa 
Regiment. The latter was a surveyor and the 
organizer of the town of Wellington, Kan., where 
he remained until his death in 1890. Our subject 
commenced professional practice at Brookfield in 
March, 1866, and he has continued here ever since, 
being one of the prominent men of this part of 
the State. In 1870 he was elected to the Legisla- 
ture and for some five years served on the State 
Geological Board, directing the geological survey of 
the State. For four 3ears his time was principally 
occupied with State affairs, as Gov. Woodson had 
appointed liim on the War Claims Commission, a 
position necessitating a great deal of labor. Always 
a Democrat, he has taken an active part in all politi- 
cal campaigns. He has been deeply interested in 
the progress of the city, and for many years was 
closely connected with Dr. Finley in building the 
college. As above stated, he personall}' raised the 
first i¥800 that was used for the erection of the first 
school building for the academy. This is now used 
as a hotel, called tlie Lentner House. 

Our subject was married in 1849 to Mrs. Sai-ah 
,1. Hardest3', of Ohio, who died in 18,54. The next 
vear he was married at Columbus City, Ind.. to 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAnnCAL RECORD. 



633 



Miss Lavinia H. Ford, a native of England, who 
came to the United States when she was seven 
years of age. Six ciiildrcn were born of this 
union, only one of whom is living, Prof. Harry C, 
who is now Director of Physical Culture and 
otlier branches in AVooster (Ohio) University, be- 
ing a graduate of that institution as well as of 
Urooivlield College. Four of the children of Mr. 
Myers died in infancy, and his daughter by his 
lirst marriage, Sarah J., married Calvin Marshall, of 
St. .Toseph, Mo., and died October it, 181(0; Charles 
K. Hart was graduated from Brookfield Colleje 
and studied for one year with Col. Myers. After 
having graduated as a law student at Ann Arbor, 
Mich., he formed a partnership with Mr. M^^ers 
under the lirm name of Myers it Hart, and this firm 
is now in the front lanlv of Linn County lawyers. 



^^1, ARTIN PETER, one of the enterprising 
I iW 3'oung business men of the city of Salis- 
I llj bury, is largely and successfully engaged 
^ in real-estate dealings and in the tobacco 

trade. The father of our subject also bore the 
name of Martin and was born in Switerland, where 
his father, Martin Peter, was likewise born. Here 
the latter pursued the occupation of a farmer all 
his life, and finally died, respected b3- all. 

The father of our subject was a farmer and 
merchant in his native land, but after his mar- 
riage, in 1864, feeling that tlie great West of the 
New World offered superior inducements, he emi- 
grated to tlie land of promise, selecting Chicago 
as his first home, and tliere he opened a sample 
room. Later, he engaged in mining in Blooming- 
ton, Collinsville, Murra3- and Trenton, and at 
the latter place engaged in the meix-handising 
business. In 1887 he located in Salisbury. He 
had previously bought a fine block of two hun- 
dred .acres adjoining the east side of the city, and 
liere he laid out Peter's First .Vdditiou to the city, 
consisting of twelve acres. Mr. Peter then en- 
gaged in farming, and pursued that business until 
May 23, 18',)2, when his death occurred when he 



was over fifty 3'ears of age. He was a member 
of the Masonic order and the Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows. In his politics he adhered to the 
principles of the Democratic party. 

The maiden name of the mother of our subject 
was Mary Reipstein. She was born in Soleure, 
Switzerland, and now resides on a farm adjoining 
tlie city. She is an estimable woman and a mem- 
ber of the Catholic Church. Of her five cliildren, 
three are living, as follows: Albert, living in Tren- 
ton, III.; Einnia, at home; and our subject. Eliza, 
Mrs. Karcher, who lived in Salisbury, has lately 
died. 

Martin Peter was reared in Trenton, where he 
was born March 29, 1870, until he was seven- 
teen years old, and attended the public schools. 
In 1888 he came to Salisbury and entered the 
commercial department in the academy at this 
place, from which he was graduated with honor. 
Until the death of his father, Martin remained at 
home on the farm, but at that time, as he was ap- 
pointed administrator of the estate, he took sole 
charge of it, and is now managing it. The first 
Peter's Addition to the city having been pur- 
chased and built upon, he laid out Peter's Sec- 
ond Addition, of about twelve acres, in April, 
1892. Mr. Peter is also engaged in other real- 
estate business, in which he is very successful. In 
October, 1891, in connection with his brother-in- 
law, Thomas Karcher, he bought the Salisbury 
Cheese and Butter Factor^-, and started a cream- 
er}-, continuing this business for six months, when 
they converted it into a tobacco factoiy, organiz- 
ing the Best Hit Tobacco Company, with a capi- 
tal stock of 110,000. They here manufacture five 
or six brands of plug, twist and fancy tobaccos, 
buying the leaf at home. Mr. Peter has three 
men on the road in his business, also jobbers in 
the city, and employs all modern improvements 
in carrying on his factoiy, which li.os a capacity 
of two thousand pounds a day. The works are 
located in the northern part of the city, and the 
factory is the largest in the county. 

Mr. Peter is Secretary of the above-mentioned 
company, in whicii he is also a stockholder and 
Director. He is connected with the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows, in which he is much in- 



634 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



terested. Our subject is one of the active young 
Democrats of Salisbury, although he is no office- 
seeker. He is one of the rising j'oung men of the 
place, and is highly regarded b3' all who have the 
pleasure of his acquaintance. The farm on which 
he has letters of administration consists of two 
hundred acres of tine land, on which his mother 
and sister reside. 

JOHN MiGOWAN. Popular appreciation has 
made .lolin McGowan an Alderman of the 
cit3' of Brookfield no less than three times. 
He is recognized as a business man of shrewd- 
ness and intelligence, and these qualities make 
him a most useful member of the City Council. He 
is a member of the hardware firm of Graham ife Mc- 
(iowan, established for four 3'ears, and carrying a 
full line of builders' hardware and shelf goods, etc. 
Our subject was born in Almond, Allegany County, 
N. Y., .June 13, 1845, his father at that time be- 
ing engaged on the grading of the Erie Railroad. 
He came to Illinois in 1855 or 1856 with the 
brother of his mother, Patrick Tooey, his parents 
being of the party. Mr.Tooe3',who was a brother of 
James Tooe}', had a contract for grading the Han- 
nibal & St. .loseph Railroad from East Yellow Creek 
to Lingo, a distance of ten miles, and brought out 
his family with the intention of locating in Mis- 
souri. They drove from St. Louis in the dead of 
winter, when the Northern Missouri Railroad ex- 
tended only to St. Charles. Dreary, indeed, was 
the prospect at the end of the journe}-, with not a 
habitation in sight, but only the wild wilderness 
for miles on every hand. Yet twenty-five labor- 
ers were along, including the families, for whom it 
was necessar}' to erect shelter of some kind. 

The parents of our subject secured teams and 
came to Yellow Creek, where the father erected a 
temporal-}' structure for the winter, and in the 
spring of the following 3'ear removed to Thayer. 
He had worked with Pat Tooey at Troy and on the 
grading of the Erie Road, and came to Illinois to 
work with him on the grade work of the Hannibal 
A' St. Joseph. Mr. Tooey had his hands full finding 



shelter for twenty-five laborers, including the 
families, Mr. McGowan and several bosses; this, too, 
in the winter season with building material scarce 
and a market none too close; yet he provided for 
all and secured for them the necessities of life. 
The road ran through Fulton, Huntsville and old 
Bloomington, in Macon Count}', then the county 
seat. Thayer remained the headquarters while the 
work was being prosecuted. The road was com- 
pleted in 1858, and in the following year it was 
connected near Chillicothe. Patrick Tooey re- 
mained in Tha3'er, having bought considerable 
property in that place; but presently misfortunes 
overwhelmed him, he being bereaved by the 
death of his wife and later sustaining serious finan- 
cial mishaps. Under the burden, of his troubles his 
reason gave way and for several years he has been 
an inmate of the St. Joseph As3'lum. 

The father of our subject, Michael McGowan, 
worked with his brother-in-law for some years and 
then with the railroad. Locating at Brookfield, he 
became one of the first settlers of the place, where 
he remained until his death in 1883. His wife is 
still living. Our subject being a mere boy when 
the move was made to Illinois, was employed in 
driving a team for his uncle and hauled goods 
from Brunswick, Carbondale and Hudson, and 
afterward from Macon Cit3'. For a season he 
was in the store at Thayer, and was emplo3'ed 
by the railroad at the latter place in 1858-59 
as a helper in the roundhouse, which, on a Sun- 
da3' afternoon in May of the latter year was, with 
its five engines, removed to Brookfield, which at that 
time contained onl3'a turntable, a boarding shanty 
and a hut occupied by Thomas Bresnehan. a grad- 
ing contractor. Our subject was made timekeeper 
and watchman, and is the only one remaining of 
the residents of the village in that S[)ring of 1859, 
and of the twenty-five workmen, the bosses and 
contractors and the man in the blacksmith shop. 
The first store was erected by .lames Tooey nearly 
a year later. 

Our subject worked with the railroad until 1876. 
He began to fire an engine in 1862, and eighteen 
months later was given charge of an engine, being 
then less than seventeen years old. Before he had 
fired a week he w,is in a collision on the New Cam- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPITICAL RECORD. 



635 



l)i-ia grade, in which four mon were killed. His 
engine rolling down a bank into a cornfield, tip- 
ped oviiv witli liim, and he was severely scalded 
and laid up for two months. Both trains were 
running at full speed and the cars were smashed to 
pieces. Several times during the war he was fired 
at by guerrillas while running his train. August 
5, 1868, his engine was ditched and turned upside 
down, having met an obstruction on the track while 
at a speed of forty miles an hour. Asa result of this 
accident our subject was laid up for months. Run- 
ning mostly by daylight, it was necessary for him 
to carry spikes and stop now and then to spike 
down rails. His perils during the war were many 
and some of his escapes were narrow indeed. Up- 
on one occasion the engine was taking water at a 
tank, when four liundi'ed Confederates appeared. 
He started awaj-, but being up grade they followed 
so closelj' that he saved himself only bj' lying flat 
upon the floor, one hundred shots being tired into 
the engine. At another time he brought out an 
engine from Hannibal to secure the remains of two 
trains, a passenger and a freight, near Monroe Cit}^ 
that had been stopped and robbed and the engineer 
of which had been made to put fire to iiis own 
train. The robbers, some of whom remained, paid 
no attention as he superintended the repair of the 
tracks by laborers he had brought out for that 
purpose; but later, when another train bearing 
laborers and soldiers arrived, a biisU and sharp 
fight ensued. 

The operation of railroads was very difficult 
during war time, there being no trackmen, and none 
for the shops; and cabs had to be lined withlioiler 
iron to protect the engineer and fireman from bul- 
ets. On one trip, when taking a load of soldiers to 
Cameron witli an old engine, the commander sent 
a guard to watch our suljject while he stopped 
to repair it, suspecting that he might be attempting 
to cripple tlie locomotive. Mr. McGowan ran the 
first engine for the Kansas City liranch, wliich only 
ran to Harlem, until tlie bridge was built, and 
when but one road ran into Kansas City. AVhile in 
charge of the roundhouse in 18()1 he was re(iHired 
for tliree weeks to keep the engines fired up day 
and night, an att.ack being expected from Price's 
army and guerrillas to burn the l)ridge on each side- 



Leaving the road in 1876 he started a grocery and 
later a saloon, after which he went into the hard- 
ware business. 

June 10, 1878,Mr. McGowan married Mi.ss Mag- 
gie Mehan. of St. Louis, the fruits of this union 
being, Katie, Annie Frances, May Gertrude, Julia 
Agnes and Josephine Augusta (the three last 
named dying in childhood), Anastasia, Ellen and 
Maggie. Mr. and ilrs. IMcGowan are prominent 
meml)ers of the Catholic Church. They have a fine 
residence on Brooks Street, one and one-half blocks 
west of Main Street. In addition to this, Mr. Mc- 
Gowan owns some valuable business proi)ert3' in 
Brookfield. His devotion to the Democratic party 
shows itself in earnest work. While he has never 
sought office his fellow-citizens have three times 
elected him an Alderman. 



-^^l 



m 



11^^ 



'^ ACOB WOODSON TRENT, one of the old- 
est settlers and most public-spirited men in 
Chariton County, was born nearDalton, in 
^^ this county, October 15, 1834. He is the 
son of Alexander Trent, a native of Buckingham 
County, Va., born August 3, 1792, and the grand- 
father, Thomas, was also born in Virginia. The 
originator of the family in this country was a na- 
tive of France, who emigrated to America before 
the Revolutionary War and settled in Virginia, 
where he became a planter. He took part in the 
Revolution and was wounded in the hand. His 
death occurred in the Old Dominion, where his 
son, the grandfather of our subject, also passed his 
last days. 

The father of our subject was reared on a plan- 
tation, and was married in Virginia, August 3, 
1819. Accompanied by his bride, he removed by 
team to the State of Missouri and arrived about 
October lo, of the same year. Location was made 
near Dalton, and at this place .Mr. Trent began to 
make improvements, but later he moved to Old 
Chariton, in Chariton County, and engaged in 
raising tobacco. Still later he settled on a place 
two and one-half miles west of the citj- of Salis- 
biuy, where he bought a farm of one hundred and 
sixty acres. He was a very prominent man in 



636 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



that part of the State and served as Justice of the 
Peace; he also filled the position of Sheriff for a 
long time before the county was set off. 

The mother of our subject, Polly Hicks, was born 
ui Buckingham County, Va., and was tlie daughter 
of Archer Hicks, who was both a successful lawyer 
and planter of tlie Old Dominion. He came to 
Missouri in 1819 and located in Bowling Green, 
where he died. He was descended from substantial 
English parentage and was a gentleman of noble 
character. The mother of our subject died here 
in 1843, and left the following children: Thomas 
II., a farmer by occupation and an officer in the 
Mexican War, now deceased; Betsey E., deceased; 
Frederick W., who resides in Chillicothe; Ann G., 
who became Mrs. Wood, and resides in this county; 
William, who died in infanc}'; William C, who 
also died when young; Jacob, our subject; and 
Alexander, who died in infancy. 

Our subject, was reared in Chariton County, prin- 
cipally in Salisbury Township, and had but limited 
school advantages. The log schoolhouse was the 
place where he received his instruction, and he re- 
members well the laborious operations over his copy 
books, and the dreadful blots made by the poke- 
berry ink, flowing from the goose-tpiill |)en, which 
pens, by the way, he can still make. One year of 
instruction was received in Keytesville. His prin- 
cipal amusement in youth was hunting, and while 
quite young he became a very good shot and killed 
all kinds of game. 

When in his sixteenth year our subject started 
for California, in company with four others. This 
was one year after the great exodus to the gold 
regions, and the party had provided themselves 
with all the necessities for the expedition. Among 
these things may be mentioned an ox-wagon, three 
yoke of oxen, and a yoke of cows,Vhich he had to 
milk, as he was the boy of the party. At St. Jo- 
seph they crossed the Missouri, struck the Platte, 
and witli many adventures made their way through 
the Black Hills to Ft. Kearney' and down to Nevada 
City, which tliey reached after a journey of six 
mouths. Here they engaged in mining and re- 
mained during the greater part of their Western 
sojourn, although they did some work on the middle 
fork of the Yuba. 



For a time our subject worked in a place in the 
mountains where the sun never shone, and has for 
a week at a time been where no ray of the sun 
touched him. For one of his years this was a se- 
vere trial. At Nevada City he was quite success- 
ful in mining, and June 18, 1853, he turned his 
face toward home, leaving San Francisco on tlie 
steamer "Golden Gate." He walked across the 
Isthmus of Panama and then took another steamer 
for New York, from which city he proceeded to 
Philadelphia and had his gold coined at the mint. 
After this he bought land and engaged in farming. 

In 185(5 our subject was united in marriage with 
Miss Ellen, daughter of Judge Benjamin F. AVood, 
of Trenton, (Grundy County. The j'oung couple 
located upon the farm three miles west of Salis- 
bury which Mr. Trent still owns. The one hun- 
dred and sixty acres comprising the farm were un- 
improved, but our subject cultivated the land and 
constantly made improvements. The little log 
house was soon replaced by a better residence. 
Upon this beautiful place he engaged in raising 
tobacco and stock until the cruel war broke into his 
peaceful life. His wealth was scattered, and in 
1864 he saddled the last horse left him and rode 
off to enter the Confederate army. He entered 
Williams' regiment, in Shelb3''s brigade, as Sergeant 
and served until the close of the war, when he 
surrendered at Shreveport, La. 

When Mr. Trent returned home, the outlook 
was very discouraging, but he had his fine land and 
soon was again on the road to prosperity. Here 
he continued until 1888, when he rented the prop- 
erty and took up his residence in Salisbury. In 
1872 he was bereaved by the death of his wife, 
and his task since has been that of taking her place 
to the six small children left to him, whicii duty 
he has faithfully discharged. The record of his 
family is as follows: Walter died November 8, 
1880, when a fine young man of twenty-one; 
William died October 22, 1880; Hettie, Mrs. Bur- 
rous, died September 22, 1889, in Salisbury, leav- 
ing three children; Emma died December 12, 1889; 
Robert P. lives in Keytesville; Early resides with 
his father; and Ella is the wife of J. G. Gallemore, 
editor of the Pres.f-Sjxctator. 

For seven years Mr. Trent served as Director of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, 



641 



the Trent School, which was named for him and 
which he aided in building. He has also served 
as Petit Judge. All the circumstances and sur- 
roundings of his life have made him a believer in 
Democratic principles. For many years his relig- 
ious convictions have been in sympathy with the 
doctrines of the Baptist Church. He is a man of 
influence in the county and has experienced many 
vicissitudes which try the mettle of human beings. 
To say that every trial has made him a stronger 
and a better man, would be stating wiiat we be- 
lieve to be the truth. Formerly- he exliibited many 
line horses and cattle at the county fairs, and re- 
ceived the first premiums, but those days are past. 
He resides in the city of Salisbury, where few men 
have more friends than he has. 



(^SHOMAS ASHLEY BROWN. The traveler 
|4^S^ in passing through Ray County cannot fail 
^^^ to notice the finely improved and well-reg- 
ulated homestead belonging to Mr. Brown. This 
fine farm is located in township 51, range '28, and 
the excellent situation, fertile soil and substantial 
buildings combine to make the place one of the 
best in the count}'. To the unwearied efforts of 
the owner may be attributed the high state of cul- 
tivation to which the farm has been brought. 

Born in Rutherford County, Middle Tennessee, 
April 28, 1815, our subject is the son of Thomas 
and Elizabeth (Allison) Brown. The father was 
born in Virginia February 14, 1787, and was reared 
on a farm in his native State. Although tlie re- 
cipient of very limited educational advantages, he 
was b}' nature possessed of sterling traits of com- 
mon sense and excellent judgment and was a 
thoughtful student of the great issues of the age. 
When a young man he went to Tennessee and 
there, May 12, 1805, married Elizabeth Allison, 
who was born April 14, 1790. Having purchased 
Government land in Tennessee, Mr. Brown carried 
on agricultural pursuits and also followed the 
trade of a macliine and wagon manufacturer. 

In Xoveinber, 1821», the family removed to MIs- 

32 



souri, traveling the entire distance in wagons and 
bringing all their earthly effects with them. On 
their arrival in this State they located in Ray 
County, and during 1820 entered eighty acres of 
Government land near where our subject now re- 
sides. The wife and mother was an invalid for 
thirty-three years before her death, which occurred 
March 26, 1850. Of the nine children born of this 
union, three still survive. In 1851, Thomas Brown 
was a second time married, choosing as his wife 
Malinda Conyers. He was removed by death Au- 
gust 14, 1872, and in his demise it was realized 
that the community lost one of its most public- 
spirited and enterprising citizens. 

To gain the meagre education available in the 
subscription schools of that daj', our subject was 
obliged to walk three miles morning and evening 
to and from the schoolhouse. This "temple of 
learning" was constructed of rough round logs, 
while the interior furnishings were of a primitive 
order. The seats were split logs, with sticks driven 
in for legs. The chimney was made of dirt and 
sticks, and the fireplace extended across the entire 
end of the room; an aperture in a log, was covered 
with greased paper and was the only means of al- 
lowing the liglit to enter the room. Amid such 
adverse surroundings and environments a prac- 
tical knowledge of the "three R's" was acquired by 
the subject of this sketch. He remained at home 
until twenty-four 3'ears of age, and on account of 
his mother's illness was obliged to aid in the house 
work as well as the more active outdoor pursuits 
of farming. 

November 22, 1838, Mr. Brown married I'atsey, 
daughter of Jeremiah and Polly (Carney) Crawley. 
They became the parents of fifteen children, one 
of wiiom died unnamed. The others were: Eliza- 
beth, Calvin and l\Iahala, all deceased; Sarah A., 
William, Jeremiah; Martha and Nancy, both de- 
ceased; Ellen and John (twins); Tliomas and 
Joseph (twins), deceased; Henry C. and Alvin. 
Calvin enlisted in the Confederate army under 
Maj. Williams and was killed at the siege of Vicks- 
burg. Our subject was a strong Union man and 
during the war served in the Slate militia, his son 
William being with him for several months. In 
politics, he is a Democrat and advocates the prin- 



642 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ciples of his chosen party with enthusiasm and 
fidelity. 

The first efforts of our subject in agriculture 
were made upon the place where he now lives. He 
l}as been very successful and has acquired a hand- 
some property, the result of his almost unaided 
exertions. At one time he was the owner of sev- 
eral liundred acres of land, but has given the en- 
tire property to his children with the exception of 
forty acres. AVhen he settled on his present place 
it was heavil}' timbered with oak, walnut and all 
kinds of hard wood, but he succeeded in clearing 
tiie entire tract and placing it under fine improve- 
ment. He and his wife are members of the Primi- 
tive Baptist Church and are universally respected 
by their large circle of ac<iuaintances. 



w 



^^ 



■^f' OHN NICKERSON, one of the prominent 
residents of Chariton County, Mo., is the 
subject of this sketch. His beautiful farm 
is located on section 16, township 53, range 
17, near Salisbuiy, Mo. He was born in Madison 
County, Ky., January 13, 1822, a son of .John and 
Kuth (Roberts) Nickerson. The father was born 
in the same county as himself, in 1795; and the 
mother also in the same county, .Januaiy 8, 1795. 
The grandfather was born in England in 1745, 
and his wife ten years later. The former came to 
America with Gen. Burgoyne during tiie time of 
the Revolutionary AVar, and later settled in Mad- 
iscm County-, Ky., where all of his children were 
born, and where his two sisters died. 

Our subject is one of a family of sixteen chil- 
dren, all of whom grew to maturity. The family 
record is as follows: Parthena, born in Kentucky 
in 1813; Mahala, in 1814; Pha3be,in 1815; Polly, in 
1815; William, in 1816; Lucinda, in 1818; James, 
in 1819; John, in 1822; Elizabeth, in 1823; Shad- 
rack, in 1824; Allen, in 1825; Albert in 1825; 
Willie, in 1826; Abigail, in 1827; P. Robert, in 
1830 J and Mary, in 1833. Our subject's mother 
died, and in 1840 his father married Elizabeth 
Richardson, who was born in Kentucky, in 1818, 
and by lliis marriage three more children were 



added to the familj-: Thomas L., born in 1841; 
Serrelda, in 1843, and Amanda, in 1843. 

Our subject was educated in the common schools 
of Chariton County, but left school at the age of 
sixteen years to engage in farming in Howard 
County, Mo., where he remained until twenty 
years of age. When he had reached years of matur- 
ity he removed to Chariton County, where he pur- 
chased a tract of land consisting of eighty acres, 
for which he paid $5 an acre; adding from time to 
time until his possessions reached four hundred 
and eighty acres. Some of this land our subject 
sold, but he still retains three hundred and eighty 
acres, this being both high and bottom land, the 
former of which is valued at $40 per acre, and the 
latter at $10. He raises corn, wheat, tobacco and 
hay, and his gross receipts amount to $2,500, annu- 
all}'. The farm is well stocked with cattle, and 
ten head of horses are also among our subject's 
possessions. A modern house of six rooms, cost- 
ing $600, is his pleasant home, which he has made 
attractive with agreeable surroundings. 

In 1842 Mr. Nickerson was married to Elizabeth 
Mcl^aniel, a native of Chariton County, Mo., born 
in 1823. She was a daughter of John McDaniel, 
of this county, and was the mother of the follow- 
ing children: Robert, born in Chariton County, 
March 6, 1849, married Eliza J. Freeman, and re- 
sides in Kan.sas City; Amanda, born February 27, 
1847, married J.I. Brooks, and they reside in Mis- 
souri; Anna E., married to William McDaniel; 
George W. married Miss Sophia Mason, and re- 
sides in Chariton County; John married Miss Joe 
Crowley, and they reside in Kansas City; Delia 
married R. C. Pank}-, and they reside in Chariton 
County; Eva married Nicholas Wright, a farmer 
of this county; and Clark, who is married and re- 
sides in Oklahoma. Mrs. Nickerson died January 
1, 1888, and our subject married Miss Louisa J. 
Montgomery in 1889. 

Mr. Nickerson has been a member of the Method- 
ist Episcopal Church of the town of Salisbuiy for 
many years, and in this religious denomination he 
has faithfully discharged all duties. Mrs. Nicker- 
son is highly regarded in the Baptist Church, of 
which she has for many years been a devoted 
member. Socially our .subject affiliates with Sails- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



643 



bury Lodge No. 208, A. F. & A. M., having been 
connected with the Masonic order since 1849. In 
his lodge he has filled the position of Junior War- 
den. Politicallj' our subject is a Democrat, and 
was elected to the office of Justice of the Peace in 
185.^, remaining in the position for about forty 
years. He is now serving his third term as County 
Judge of the Eastern District of Chariton County. 



J] AMES O. CRANDALL, the subject of this 
sketch, is the owner of a valuable stock- 
' farm, known as "Rose Hill," where he finds 
' great pleasure as well as profit in studying 
the interesting laws of heredity and development 
as shown in the higher domestic animals. His 
favorites are trotting horses, the breeding of which 
he began thirteen j-ears ago, beginning with a 
"Patchen" horse from Massachusetts. The finest 
head of his stud is now "Edsall Star," No. 3781, 
American Trotting Register, sired by "Major Ed- 
sall," No. 211, dam "J^ady S.," grandsire "Alex- 
ander's Abdallah," No. 15, and granddam on sire's 
side is a dam of "Ham's Hamliletonian," No. 2; 
"Lady S.," sired by "American Star, Jr.," No. 
3772, dam "Miss Cadmus." "Edsall Star" is now 
eleven years old, and was bred by Judson H. Clark, 
of Scio, N. Y. He is a handsome chestnut sorrel 
and his get have developed promising speed. "Lou 
Edsall," owned by L. H. Doherty, of Canada, is a 
race winner, with a record of 2:27^ and is now 
placed in the 2:20 class. She made a record of 
2:27^ on a lialf-mile track at Sumner, Iowa, Octo- 
ber 9, 1892. "Silver Star" has a race record of 
2:30 and has made much lower. These are the 
only horses of his get with a record, but there are 
others which have shown a 2:20 speed. 

Among the progenj' of this famous animal are 
tlie following, whose exploits give fine promise for 
the future: "J. O. C," owned by Frank Dersart, 
of ^lacou City, a yearling, having made a speed 
of 3:00. His sire, "Edsall Star," has been for 
three j'ears the head of the Rose Hill Stock Farm. 
"Crandall's Patchen" divides honors with "Kdsall 
Star" and has liecn a favorite for fifteen years, be- 



ing now twenty-four 3-ears of age; he h.is produced 
a great many first-class gentlemen's driving and 
speeding horses. He is widely known and his 
colts are in great demand, being greedily picked 
up by Eastern ))uyers. A great man}' of the best 
horses in Linn County are from him, and mauj' of 
them are held at from $700 to $1,500 each. Mr. 
Crandall usually keeps on hand about one hun- 
dred horses, with fifteen brood mares. He, with 
A. E. White, of St. Joseph, is owner of the Brook- 
field Fair Grounds with a half-mile track. Instead 
of being a speed man, our subject merely trains 
his colts slightly and then sells them. He is thor- 
oughly familiar with horses and horsemen, as a 
rule visiting all the great races of the country. 

Mr. Crandall was born at Buffalo, N. Y., August 
25, 1833, and lived there until 1867. He has al- 
ways been a horseman, a breeder and dealer, buy- 
ing and selling. In the year last named, he came 
to Missouri, and bought a tract of five hundred 
acres, which he improved; he then sold off a part, 
now having three hundred acres in his original 
farm, with forty acres in the city limits, upon 
which his house stands. The. residence is a very 
attractive one, surrounded by shade trees, large 
barn and other outhouses. Mr. Crandall has 
handled a great deal of real estate, principally his 
own property. Beginning with limited means 
when coming to Missouri, he has acquired a hand- 
some competency. 

September 3, 1884, our subject was married to 
Miss Mary Harris, of Macon City, born in New 
York, a daughter of H. C. and Matilda (Alvord) 
Harris, of Higginsville, Mo. Mrs. Crandall is a 
graduate of music of the Misses Cousins' Institute, 
at Cleveland, Ohio. She taught music for fifteen 
years and served several years in a music store. 
There have been no children born to Mr. and IMrs- 
Crandall. The latter is a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church and for a long time was very 
active in the various societj' works of the church. 
She was born at West Win field, Herkimer County, 
N. Y., and went to Ohio at the age of three, in 
which State she was reared; she came to Missouri 
in 1878. Her fatiier was a native of Connecticut 
and her mother of New York. Mrs. Crandall is an 
accomplished iiuisician and a refined, educated and 



644 



PORTRAIT AND BI0C4KAPIIICAL RECORD. 



most attractive woman, who graces her beautiful 
home and is nearly as enthusiastic in her love of 
horses as is her husband. The latter has expressed 
political views and gives a liearty and unqualified 
support to the Republican party. 



(fclLLIAiM WAC'K, a successful dealer in 
real estate and stock at Salisbury, was 
born in I'\ilton County, near Canton, 111., 
on the 22d of December, 1840. Tracing his an- 
estry back to the first representative of the familj' 
m the United States, we find that his great-grand- 
father, the Rev. Casper Wack, came from his na- 
tive place, Hesse-Cassel, Germany, to America forty 
years before the opening of the Revolutionary 
War. At that early day he became the pastor of 
a band of Lutherans who had found a home in 
tlie city of Philadelphia, but wlien the war of the 
colonies broke out he became a Chaplain in the 
ranks of the Revolutionary armj'. He survived 
that long struggle and died in Morris Count}-, 
N. J. He was one of the first clergymen of his 
faith who emigrated to the United States. 

The grandfather of our subject became a farmer 
in New Jersey, where he remained until his death. 
He was a soldier in the War of 1812 and partici- 
pated in the defense of Baltimore. The father of 
our subject married in New Jersey and afterward 
removed to Illinois, making that long journey by 
teams and bringing all his household belongings 
with him. He locutt'd in Fulton County, 111., near 
Canton, in 183U, and engaged in farming until 
1851, when he changed iiis location to Carthage, 
Hancock Count}', III. Tliis was aline country for 
stock-raising, which he conducted in connection 
with general farming until iiis death in 1875. In 
his religion he was a member of the Baptist Church. 
Politically, he was a firm advocate of Democratic 
principles. 

The mother of our subject, Sarah A. Lawrence, 
was born in Morris County, N. J., and was a daugli- 
ter of Stephen A. Lawrence, a farmer of that local- 
ity. He was a valued member of the Presbyterian 



Church. His father, William, was born in England, 
and shortly before the Revolutionary struggle 
came to New Jersey, where he followed tiie busi- 
ness of farming and milling. His wife bore tlie 
maiden name of Lowery and was from Scotland. 
The honored mother of our subject resides in Car- 
thage and has attained to the age of seventy-seven 
years. She has been the mother of six children, 
Ave of whom are now living. 

Our subject is the third of the family in the 
order of birth. He was reared in Fulton County 
until he was ten years of age, and tlien removed to 
Carthage, where he attended the common schools. 
At the early age of seventeen years lie displayed 
such good judgment and business faculty that lie 
was entrusted with the buying of stock. He ac- 
quired a small farm in that vicinity and remained 
with his father until he was twenty-six years old. 

October 7, 1867, our subject removed to Salis- 
bury Township, this county, by teams and wagons, 
and the next day bought a farm of two liuudred 
and forty acres of raw prairie, where he located 
and began to make improvements. The place was 
situated two miles north of .Salisbury, which city 
at that time was a place of little importance, con- 
taining only about three hundred inhabitants. 
Mr. Wack engaged in farming and raising stock, 
and also traded in farming property and other 
real estate. Meanwhile he improved over three 
thousand acres of land in this county. In Febru- 
ary, 1874, he located in Salisbury, where he built. 
Four miles northwest of the city he owns one 
hundred and sixty acres of fine farming land, and 
this he rents. Iiis farm of six hundred and sixty 
acres, located six miles northwest of the city and 
watered by the Chariton River, contains good 
buildings and first-class improvements and is rented. 
Among other real estate owned by our subject may 
be mentioned two residences in the city. 

Mr. Wack was married September 3, 1868, to 
Miss Catherine Ehrhardt, a native of Salisbury- 
Townsiiip. Her father, Martin Ehrhardt, was born 
in Ilesse-Cassel, and was reared on a farm in Ger- 
many until he was twenty-six years of age. He 
Tnarried in that country, and upon emigrating to 
America located near Steubenville, Ohio. Later 
he removed to Brooke County, Va., where he lived 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGKAPHICAL RECORD. 



645 



for nine years. In 1844 lie came to Missouri and 
settled in this township, where he improved a farm. 
He became tiie most extensive sheep-raiser in this 
locality, but now at the age of eighty-three he 
lives a retired life. For many 3'ears he li.is been 
one of the prominent members of the Cumberland 
Presbyterian Churcii. The mother of Mrs. Wack 
was named Annie K. tJrumeaud was born in Hesse- 
Casscl. She died here in .Tune, 188.'5, having been 
the mother of ten children, but only three of this 
large family now survive. Mrs. AVack is the 
j'oungcst of the family and was educated here and 
also at Abingdon (111.) College. She is a lady of 
great intelligence and a member of the Cumberland 
Presbyterian Church. Mr. and Mrs. Wack are the 
l)arents of one child, Cora C. Anotlier daughter, 
Rosa C, died at the age of three years. Mr. Wack 
is a member of the Independent Order of (^dd 
Fellows and is one of the financial Trustees of the 
Encampment at Moberly. Religiously, he is a mem- 
ber of tlie Cumberland Presbyterian Church at this 
place and is now Trustee. In his political opin- 
ions he is a Democrat. 



Wl OIIN W. HUFFAKER. As autumn with its 
glory of raany-hued leaves and pale blue 
^.^ sky is the most delightful season of the 
^^g^ year, so the man whose spring and summer 
of life have been well spent, reflects in greatest 
beauty the strength of his character when age has 
brought his hair to gray, and passions are subdued 
and loved is fixed. Our subject, having toiled 
long in the busy field, is now enjoying in peace and 
quiet the aftermath, grateful for his blessings. 
He was born in Indianapolis, Ind., November 7, 
1821, being a son of Jesse and Ellen (Rucker) 
Iluffaker, natives of Tenne.ssee, who went to In- 
diana in 1819, but later settled in Madison County, 
111., in 1825, on a farm in the American Bottoms, 
about five miles from St. Louis. Here they lived 
until the fall of 1840, or until our subject was 
about twent}"^ years old, when they came to Linn 
County, Mo., and settled on Yellow Creek, ten miles 
northeast of where Hrookfieid now stands. Tliere 



was then no village to the south until Keytesville 
was readied, and Linneus was only a village of 
about a dozen liouses. Linn County liad been organ- 
ized but three years before, it then extending to 
the Iowa line, and only a very few families lived 
in Yellow Creek. .Tacob Bailey and sons, and one 
Levi Moore, with five or six other families, 
formed the chief population of the entire neigh- 
borhood. 

Our subject lived with his parents, working for 
his father five or six years, and continuing with 
him until a short time before the death of the lat- 
ter, which occurred in Tennessee, in the year 1858. 
After this, John, who was then twenty-six years 
old, settled upon a farm of his own, acquiring and 
improving a fine tract of four hundred acres, most 
of which was done after the war. The first water- 
mill in that locality was Botts Mill, on Locust 
Creek, two miles west of Linneus, erected in 1840. 
Brunswick was the nearest trading point, all the 
supplies coining from there; tobacco was the prin- 
cipal product, and oul}- a few people owned slaves. 
A "bee trail" followed up the Buckton Divide, 
a name which was rather a misnomer to the first 
preacher who came that waj*. He was directed 
along the "bee trail" by a fun-loving fellow, and 
pushedgladly along, searching eagerly for signs of 
the honey-makers, of coui-se in vain, to his infinite 
disgust, as his countenance clearl}^ expressed when 
he went back to the settlement with the lament of, 
"I failed to find traces of bees anywhere." 

Mr. Huffaker being lame was not called upon for 
regular militia service, but he frequently during 
the war operated with the military post at Brook- 
field. Hecontinued uponhisfarm until 1886. forty 
years, and dealt chiefiy at that time in stock, feed- 
ing and shipping the same, and in the same year 
named settled at Brookfield, where he bus since 
resided. Politics always have had a charm for 
him, he co-operating with the Democrats, who have 
elected him to the office of County Supervisor, a 
number of township otfices and tliat of .School 
Director. Among the noted eliaracters lie encoun- 
tered in politics were T. M. Rucker. a sheriff and 
jiettifogger; and Stephen McCollum and Andy 
Baker, who also won fame .as hunters. The mar- 
ri.agc of our subject took jilace Feliruary I'l, 1846, 



646 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



bis wife being Mary E. Long, of Howard County, 
Mo., who is yet living, and the mother of the fol- 
lowing children: James R., a physician of Brook- 
fleld; John William, a physician of Denver, Colo.; 
Thomas S., a physician of Chicago; Samuel L., a 
merchant of Brookfield; Joseph, who died in 
1887, aged twenty-two, wliile a student in the col- 
lege; Lou, Assistant Cashier in tlie Brookfield Bank; 
Mary Ellen, wife of Edward Via, of Sauk Rapids, 
Minn.; Lora, at home; and Cora, a graduate of 
Brookfield College, also at home. The residence 
of ]\Ir. Huffaker is a very handsome and homelike 
place on North Main Street. He has very pleas- 
ant association with the Masonic order, a strong 
and select oroanization in Brookfield. 



ROE. JOHN W. LOCKHART, A. B., A. M. 
Among tlie learned and scholarly instruc- 
tors of Missouri prominent mention be- 
longs to Prof. Lock hart, of Salisbur3'. He 
was born at Smith's Station, Lee Count}', Ala., Feb- 
ruary 5, 1864, and is the son of Rev. John FL Lock- 
hart, a native of Lincoln County, Ga. The ances- 
tors of the Lockhart family were originally from 
Scotland. The grandfather of our subject. Rev. 
David Locklmit, a minister in the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, was born in Lincoln Countj^, Ga., 
at an early day. Later, he removed to Dadeville, 
Tallapoo.sa County, Ala., where he engaged in agri- 
cultural |)ursuits and continued to reside until 
his death. 

Tlie gifts of this grandparent fell upon his son, 
the father of Prof. Lockhart, also a man of attain- 
ments, and he too joined the Methodist Episcopal 
Church South, and became a minister in that confer- 
ence. Wherever he has resided, he is remembered as 
a man distinguished for his linguistic attainments. 
Now in his sixty-seventh year, he is a very promi- 
nent minister, and is well known throughout his 
State as the popular teacher of the school at Camp 
Hill, Ala., where he has been signally successful. 
During the late war he enlisted, but his medical 
knowledge was put to better use, and he was de- 
tailed as nurse in the hospital. 



The mother of our subject was one of the intell- 
igent and charming daughters of Georgia, and 
was born in Talbot County, where her grandfather, 
Joseph Burt, was a man of influence, and a planter 
of large means. The family is of English descent. 
She is a member of tiie Methodist Episcopal Church 
South, and has been the mother of three children: 
our subject; Annie, now Mrs. Phelps, of Opelika, 
Ala; and Rev. J. D., a minister in the North Ala- 
bama Conference. Our subject was reared in Ala- 
bama, at Salem and Oakboweiy, and gained his 
early education in his father's school, where he 
soon began to display talents of an unusually 
high order. Upon entering college he had ad- 
vanced so far in his studies that he became a mem- 
ber of the junior class. January 1, 1883, he en- 
tered the Alabama Polytechnic Institute, formerly 
a Methodist school, located at Auburn, Ala., and 
was graduated in the Class of '84, bearing off the 
first honors and the degree of A. B. Later, he re- 
ceived the degree of A. M. in the same institution. 

When he had reached the age of twenty 
years, our subject began teaching school at Cus- 
seta, Ala., and for one year he was Principal of 
the High School there. From that position he 
was called to the Chair of Latin and Greek in Ope- 
lika Seminary, where he taught one year, and was 
re-elected, but resigned there, and for three j'ears 
traveled as a pastor of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church in the State of Alabama. Afterward he 
accepted the principalship of the Cropwell School, 
a school of high grade, and held the position for 
eighteen months, resigning it to accept a similar 
position at the Union High School at Macon, Ga., 
where he was the Principal for a year. 

The people of Macon parted with Prof. Lock- 
hart with regret when he was called to the Chair 
of Latin and Physics in the North Missouri Insti- 
tute at Salisbuiy. Believing that it would extend 
his usefulness, our subject accepted the offer, 
and came to this city JSeptember 5, 1892. He 
has gained a practical knowledge of chemis- 
try and physics in the laboratoiy, and is an 
inventor of more than ordinaiy skill. In connec- 
tion with Mr. Howard, the city electrician, he has 
invented and put into use an electric bell system, 
as well as several machines of practical value. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



647 



For a long time our subject has been :i ■member of 
the Masonic order, and active in the ranics of the 
Democratic party. He is a vcr_v entertaining lec- 
turer, especially upon scientific subjects, and tlie 
citizens of Salisbury may be congratulated upon 
their wisdom in securing the services of as thor- 
ough a scholar as l^rof. Loekhart. 



H. PRATT, M. 1)., the subject of tliis 
sketch, is a practitioner in an art that has 
been honored since the days of Galen, and 
one that involves confidence and confid- 
ences. He was born in Elkhart County, Ind., 
.January 9, 1847, his father, Joseph Pratt, being a 
native of Shoreham, Vt., and his mother, Bets}^ 
(Wilcox) Pratt, a native of Dutchess Count}', N. Y. 
At the age of fourteen he removed to Cass County, 
Mich., where he remained until he was twenty 
living upon a farm. He then came back to Indi- 
ana and attended the public schools and a Baptist 
Institute at Crown Point, Lake County, prepara- 
torj' to his study of medicine with his brother, 
Alonzo .T. Pratt, of the same place. After fifteen 
months' reading under his brother, he entered 
Rush Medical College at Chicago, and graduated 
in the Class of '72, after five years of preparation 
in all. 

Some of his classmates at old Rush have become 
famous; among them may be named Lehman H. 
Dunning, professor in one of the leading medical 
colleges of this country; Dr. A. K. Steele, and Dr. 
E. Fletcher Ingalls, professor in Rush Medical 
College. Dr. Pratt practiced at Des Plaines, sev- 
enteen miles out from Chicago, from 1872 to 1875, 
after which he came to Brookfleld, Mo., remaining 
until 1879 in partnership with Dr. Bryan, who 
died later of consumption. Dr. Pratt settled at 
Mill Grove, Mercer County, Mo., in 1879, and 
there he practiced until 1887, when he returned to 
Brookfield, where he has been in active practice 
ever since. Interested in all matters relating to his 
profession, and believing in the value of association 
and interchange of ideas, he is an earnest member 
of the (irand River Medical Society. 



Our subject was married May 15, 1872, to Miss 
Carrie Jarvis, at Crown Point, Ind., who died in 
Mercer Count\', Mo., and he married a second 
time, November 28, 1889. this union being with 
Miss Florence I. Barnes, daughter of George Barnes, 
a resident of Brookfield. She was born at Jordan, 
N. Y., graduated from the High School of that 
place, and for nine years taught with Dr. Finlej- 
in Brookfield College, continuing with him until 
his death. She married Dr. Pratt during her last 
year of engagement at the college, her term not 
being completed until June, 1890. Dr. and Mrs. 
Pratt are verj- popular in Brookfield circles, where 
they are highly esteemed for their social qualities, 
their sympathy and intelligent grasp of the various 
subjects of interest to intelligent minds. 



J' I AMES A. TAYLOR, one of the old and re- 
spected citizens of Salisbury, is engaged in 
I farming and stock-raising and is one of the 
^;_5?'' most genial of gentlemen. He was born in 
Buckingham County, near Lynchburgh, Va., Aug- 
ust 10, 1840, and is the son of Cornelius Taylor, a 
merchant and master of a craft on the river, who 
died in Virginia in 1856. The mother of our sub- 
ject, Maggie C'owell, was also a Virginian by birth. 
John J. Cowell, the grandfather of our subject, 
was a Virginian planter and a volunteer in the 
AYar of 1812. He was the son of a Revolutionary 
soldier who died during tlie progress of the War 
of 1812. 

The grandfather of our subject was a man of 
great energy-. He belonged to the devoted band 
known to the world as the "Hardshell " Baptists. 
In 1844, he came to Missouri and located in Salis- 
bury Township, Chariton County, where he cleared 
and improved one hundred and twent}' acres. On 
the home there established he died in 1857 at the age 
of seventy-two years. The mother of our subject 
died in 1840, leaving three children. William 
died here in 1856. ,Iohn C. was First Lieutenant 
in Price's division during the Civil War and 



648 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



served through the entire struggle without injury- 
He was killed in a wreck on the Mississippi in 
1870. 

Our subject is the only member of his f.amilj' 
now living. He came with Grandfather Co well to 
tliis State when but four years of age, and as the 
journey w.as made with team and wagon it took a 
long time. The onl}' schooling our subject received 
was three or four months a year in the subscription 
schools. Game was so plentiful that he naturally 
became a hunter. Until the spring of 1864, his 
home was in Missouri, but then he went to Montana, 
traveling by coacii, and remaining in Salt Lake City 
for fourteen days. AVhen he reached Montana he 
began to prospect, and engaged in mining in Vir- 
ginia Gulch and in Central City, Colo., and other 
desirable places, wiiere he worked bv the day. Re- 
maining there from 1864 to 1867, he then went to 
Klizabethtown, N. M., forty miles northeast of 
( )taus, and with a compan}' of five others opened 
, up the Willow Gulch Mine. In December, 1868, 
he returned to Central City and there remained 
until the fall of 1869, when he returned home on 
the Union Pacific Railroad, via Omaha and St. Jo- 
scpli. He settled \f^ Salisbury, where he engaged in 
business and carried on his farm. He now conducts 
an extensive business in raising and shipping 
stock. In 1879, he opened a grocery store and in 
1882 erected a brick house. He owns several val- 
uable pieces of property, including his brick resi- 
dence, and the store on Broadway, wliich he rents. 
In his grocery business he was first associated with 
Mr. Wilhite, and later was with William Clark for 
fifteen years, but in 1880 he sold this business. 

The farm belonging to Mr. Taylor consists of 
two hundred acres, three miles west of this place, 
and one hundred and forty-six acres have been 
well improved. He makes a specialty of raising 
fine horses, Shorthorn cattle and Poland-China 
hogs. In addition to other interests he owns stock 
in the Fish Pond Ice Company. In Salisbury 
Township in 1874, Mr. Taylor married the daugh- 
ter of Shelby Van Diver, a farmer of this neigh- 
borhood, and two children have been added to the 
family, Allene and John. Mr. Tajior affiliates 
socially with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows. For several terms he served as School Di- 




rector and for two terms was one of the " City 
Fathers," belonging to several important commit- 
tees. He believes in the Democratic party and 
votes in accordance with his belief. He has been 
a member of the Grand Jury. The family resi- 
dence is pleasantly located on Third Street in Salis- 
bury. 



LEXANDER WILLIAM DONIPHAN was 

born in Mason County, Ky., July 9, 1808, 
the youngest in a family of ten children. 
His ancestors on both the paternal and 
maternal sides were of English extraction. His fa- 
ther, Joseph Doniphan, was a native of King George 
County, Va., and removed to Kentucky with his 
family in 1790. His mother, whose maiden name 
was Anne Smith, was a native of Fauquier County, 
Va., and was an aunt of Gov. William Smith, of 
that State. .Joseph Doniphan served in the Amer- 
ican army during the entire Revolutionary strug- 
gle, and at its conclusion, being yet unmarried, he 
spent several years with Daniel Boone in Ken- 
tucky, and is said to have taught the first school 
ever opened in that State. 

Our subject was left an orpii.an by the death 
of his father in 1813, and his after nurture de- 
volved upon his mother, who w.is a woman of ex- 
traordinary mental powers and sparkling wit. When 
he was in his eightli year she placed him under the 
instructions of Richard Keene, of Augusta, Ky., a 
learned though eccentric Irishman and a graduate 
of Trinity College, Dublin. At the .age of four- 
teen young Doniphan was entered .as a student of 
Augusta College, where he was graduated at the 
early age of eighteen with especial distinction in 
classics. While in that institution he had the 
benefit of the training of several able instructors, 
particularly Drs. Bascom and Durbin. 

Upon leaving college, Mr. Doniphan devoted 
himself for nearly a year to the systematic study 
of history and general literature. He then began 
the study of law in the otlice of Ibm. Martin V. 
Marshall, of Kentucky, one of the most eminent 
jurists of the Marshall family, and after spending 
two j-ears with that gentleman, he was licensed to 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



649 



practice by the Supreme Court of Ohio. In March, 
1830, Jie came to Missouri and was licensed to 
practice by the Supremo Court at Kaj'ette in the 
succeeding month. On the 19th of April, 1830, 
he settled in Lexington, Mo., and commenced his 
long, successful and brilliant forensic career 

The practice of the law in the West was more 
laborious then than it is now. Law libraries were 
few and limited in extent, and the daj^ of legal 
blanks had not come. At the age of twenty-two Mr. 
Doniphan, without experience, became associated 
with Abiel Leonard, Robert W. Wells, Pey- 
ton R. IIa3-den, and otlier gentlemen eminent for 
ability and legal attainments, and who were al- 
ready expert in tlie management of cases. His 
maiden speech at the Bar was made in 1830, when 
he assisted Mr. Leonard in the defense of a man 
indicted for mui-der. This was the first murder 
case he had ever seen tried. His conduct in this 
trial was modest, and gave evidence of the dawn- 
ing of that reputation as a criminal lawj'er which 
he afterward attained. 

In 1833 Mr. Doniphan removed to Liberty, Mo., 
which he made his home for the succeeding thirty- 
years. There he found already established in the 
practice of the law those distinguished attorneys, 
D. R. Atchison, Amos Rees and James M. Hughes. 
His experience at Lexington had been preparatory; 
at Liberty his reputation attained its zenith. Nor 
was the state of society there unfavorable to the 
development of any of the manly, social or men- 
tal qualities. Its business and leading men (as 
well as those of the county at large) were beyond 
tiie average in capacity". They were young men 
of high social positions in tlieir native localities of 
A'irginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Maryland, 
Kentuck3' or the East, educated, chivalric and 
generous, and had come to the Far West to make 
their homes and fortunes. Liberty was the nearest 
town to Ft. Leavenworth, and to it, to relieve the 
tedium of station life, resorted for years the choice 
and prime young officers of tlie army, the men un- 
der Rile3', Kearney and Sidney Johnston, who from 
time to time were stationed at that post. Hence, 
society in Liberty was pleasing and exceptionally 
brilliant. Doniphan was young, ambitious, highly 
cultured, and his mind exjjauded with ease to 



meet the magnitude of each new occasion. The 
faculty of ready, powerful and tempestuous speech, 
tlie (lashes of brilliant thought, had come to him, 
and the people of the State at once recognized 
him as an orator. 

In 1836 ]\Ir. Doniphan was elected to represent 
Clay County in tlie Legislature; again in 1840, and 
yet again in 1 854, without opposition. In January 
1861, he was appointed one of the five delegates 
to represent Missouri in the so-called Peace Con- 
ference, which met in Washington. While there 
he was elected a delegate to represent his 
senatorial district in the State convention called 
by the Legislature of Missouri, January 21, 1861, 
and took his seat on his return from W:ishington. 
In the convention he maintained the position 
of a conservative Union man, and did not allow 
the demands of the moment to betray him into 
losing sight of the rights of the States. 

In 1846 occurred the war with Mexico. In 
May, of that year, Gov. Edwards requested Mr. 
Doniphan to assist in raising troops for volunteer 
service in the Western counties of the State, and 
he acceded to the request. The enthusiasm of the 
people was high, and in a week or so the compan- 
ies of men which upon organization at Ft. Leav- 
enworth formed the famous First Regiment Mis- 
souri Cavahy had volunteered. As is known, 
jVIr. Doniphan was elected its Colonel almost b\' ac- 
clamation. There never was in the service of the 
United States a regiment of finer material. It was 
composed of young men in the prime of life, and 
equal, mentall}' and ph3'sically, to every duty of a 
soldier. They were mainly the sons of pioneers 
of Missouri; they had the courage and manliness, 
and possessed the endurance and virtue, of their 
fathers. The regiment formed a part of Gen. 
Stephen W. Kearney's column, known as the 
Army of the West. 

In June, of 1846, the regiment began its long 
march to Santa Fe, Chihuahua, Monterey, and the 
Gulf, a distance of thirty-six hundred miles. This 
march is known in history' as Doniphan's Expedi- 
tion. In November, 1846, Col. Doniphan, with his 
regiment,was directed to go into the country' of tlie 
Navajo Indians, on the western slope of the Rocky 
Mountains, to overawe or chastise them, and he 



650 



POETRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



completed this movement with great celerity and 
ability. His soldiers toiled through snow three 
feet deep on the crests and eastern slopes of the 
mountains. Having completed tiie object of this 
expedition, concluding a satisfactor}^ treaty with 
the Indians, he returned to the River Del Norte, 
and on the banks of that stream collected and 
briefly refreshed his men, preparatory to effecting 
what was then intended to be a junction with 
Gen. Wool. He was there re-inforced with two 
batteries of light artillery. In December, 1846, he 
turned the faces of his little column to the South, 
and put it in motion toward Chihuahua. In quick 
succession followed his brillant and decisive vic- 
tories at Brazito and S.acramento, the capture of 
Chihuahua^ the plunge of his little army into the 
unknown country between Chihuahua and Saltillo, 
and its emergence in triumph at the latter cit\^ 
The laurels won by Col. Doniphan and his men 
are among the bi'ightest that grace the American 
arms, and the memory of them will be as en- 
during as the history of the Mexican War itself. 

On December, 1837, Col. Doniphan was married 
to Miss Elizabeth .Tane, daughter of the late John 
Thornton, of Clay County, Mo. She was a woman 
of much strength of character, of refined and gen- 
tle manner and elegant literary taste. She was 
acute in her perceptions and highly religious in 
feelings. The domestic life of herself and husband 
was characterized by the utmost harmony. Two 
children, both sons, were born to them, but they 
died in youth. In 1863, during the heat of the Civil 
War, Col. Doniphan removed to St. Louis, where 
he remained until 1868, and then returned to 
Western Missouri. He lost his estimable wife in 
1873, after which time he lived in retirement, de- 
voting himself entirely to the amusements of read- 
ing, correspondence and converse with his friends. 

During the existence of , the Whig party, Col. 
Doniphan was an ardent and conscientious mem- 
ber of it, but after its dissolution he joined the 
Democracj'. His mind was always too broad to 
admit of his being a partisan in an}' restricted 
sense, nor did he ever seek political office. He 
was a firm believer in the truth of the Christian 
religion and was an active and consistent member 
of the Christian Church from 1859 until liis death. 



His personal appearance was imposing and magnif- 
icent, and in height he was six feet, four inches. 
His frame was proportioned to his height, and was 
full without the appearance of obesity. His face 
approached the Grecian ideal very closely, the es- 
sential variance being in the nose, which was aqui- 
line without severity. His forehead was high, 
full and square; the eyes of the brightest hazel, 
and the lips symmetrical and smiling. When 
young, his complexion was very fair and delicate, 
and his hair and beard were sandy. 

In the varied circumstances of his life. Col. 
Doniphan exerted a great inliuence. In parlia- 
mentary bodies he did so mainly through social 
impress and personal contact. He was fascinating 
in conversation, and his society was sought wher- 
ever he went. His mind acted with quickness and 
precision, and he had surpassing faculties of gen- 
eralization, perception .and analysis. His temper- 
ament was poetic, even romantic, but was guarded 
by fine taste and the most delicate sense of the ludi- 
crous. His mind was so well organized, so nicely 
balanced, its machinery so happily fitted, its stores 
of information so well digested and so com- 
pletely made a part of the brain, that its riches 
without ai)parent effort flowed or flashed forth on 
all occasions, and placed each subject or object 
the}- touched in a flood of light. Nature had en- 
dowed him munificently. If the union in one 
mind of the highest intellectual qualities consti- 
tutes genius, he possessed it. 

He died in Richmond, Mo., August 8, 1887, and 
was buried in the new cemetery at Liberty, Mo., 
on the 12th of the same month. A lofty monu- 
ment marks his last resting-place. 



*^^f 



Mwm 



1^ \ ^^^ 



A I^ILLIAM II. BENEFI EL, a prosperous gen- 
\/\/il ^^^^ agriculturist and successful stock- 
^7^ raiser, residing upon section 5, township 
58, range 21 west, Linn County, is a native of the 
State of Indiana, and was born in Boone County, 
October 17, 1837. His paternal grandfather, George 
Benefiel, emigrated from Bourbon County to .Tef- 
fersou County. Ind., when the latter State w.as yet 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



651 



a territory, and with his family- experienced the pri- 
vations common to the early pioneer settlers. The 
father of our subject, Samuel Benefiel, was born in 
Bourbon County, Ky., and accompanied his father 
and mother to their new home. There he attained 
to manhood, and beginning life for himself re- 
moved to Boone County, Ind.,and entered land. 
About this time he married Miss P^lizabeth Cald- 
well, a daughter of Alexander Caldwell, a Ken- 
tuckian, but one of the very first settlers of Boone 
County, Tnd., and an energetic and enterprising 
man. 

Samuel Benefiel continued to make his home in 
Boone County until his death in 1866. His sur- 
viving daugiiter, Mrs. Nancy Burris, a widow, lives 
in township 59, range 19, where she owns one hun- 
dred and sixt3' acres. Our subject was reared in 
Boone County, and there enjoyed the limited ad- 
vantages of the little subscription schools of those 
early days. Arriving at manhood, he was married 
in Jefferson County, in 1858, to Miss Amanda .J., 
daughter of Samuel Kyker, a successful farmer of 
Jefferson County, whose father, Samuel Kyker, was 
a native Kentuckian, but widely known as a pio- 
neer settler of Indiana. Mrs. Benefiel was reared 
in the countj- which had been the home of her pa- 
ternal ancestors for so many years, and after her 
marriage located with her husband in Boone 
County. The family came to Missouri in 1870, 
settling upon the homestead in Linn County, a 
finely improved farm of two hundred and thirty- 
nine acres, now highly cultivated and annually 
j'ielding an abundant harvest. 

Three children have blessed the home of our 
subject and his estimable wife. William S. resides 
upon an excellent farm of one hundred and sixty 
acres directly south of the home place; Elizabeth 
is the wife of a Kansas farmer, A. E.Thomas; Mag- 
gie J. is at home with her parents. The members 
of the family are identified with the Presbyterian 
Church and Mr. Benefiel is a Deacon of the Bethel 
Church. During the Civil War our subject served 
in Company B, One Hundred and Fifty-fourth In- 
diana Infantry, for about six mouths. His life has 
l>een mainly devoted to the pursuit of agriculture 
and the cultivation of the homestead, which was 
mostl}' unbroken prairie land when it came into 



the possession of its present owner. The property, 
then valued at about ^15 or $16 per acre, is wortli 
$40, having increased in estimated value rapidly 
and being considered one of the best pieces of farm- 
ing land in this part of the county. Mr. Benefiel 
profitably' handles excellent grades of cattle, horses 
and hogs and is a practical man, thoroughly at 
home in every detail of farming life. 

Our subject wears the bronze button of the Grand 
Army of the Republic and is a member of Post No. 
188, having served as Quartermaster of the same. 
Politically, he is an earnest Republican and holds 
fast to the principles of "the party of reform." 
He has never been an aspirant for office but is ac- 
tively interested in the local and national issues of 
the day. Since he became a resident of the State 
he has been indentified with the progressive inter- 
ests of Missouri. As a true and loyal citizen, kind 
friend and neighbor, he enjoys the high regard of 
a host of acquaintances. 



EL. JOYCE, Superintendent of Schools at 
Brookfield, Mo., and County Commissioner, 
was born nine miles north of this city, 
January 7, 1856, a son of Edward and Louvicy 
(Burton) Joyce. The father was a native of 
County Cork, Ireland, and tlie mother of Tennes- 
see. Mr. Joyce, Sr., came to the United States at 
the age of fourteen, married in Southern Illinois 
when about twenty-five years old, and settled in 
Missouri about the year 1846, engaging in farm 
ing. He pre-empted land in Linn County, where 
the old home now stands and in which his widow 
still resides. He remained there during a busy 
and prosperous life, dying there in 1880, and his 
remains are quietly sleeping in the Brookfield 
cemetery. Mr. Joyce had been one of the pioneers 
of this section, and during the exciting times of 
the Civil War was a conservative Union man. He 
reared a family of thirteen children, twelve of 
whom are living. 

Our subject was reared on the farm, and was 
educated first in the public schools, and later in 



652 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPIIJCAL RECORD, 



7U-,j. - : ^ —- - - - 

^Moore, teaching in the schools there for two 
3'ears, after which time she removed to Brookfield. 
There she toolc a position as a superior teacher, 
and was about completing her thirteenth .year, 
when failing health compelled her to resign, three 
weeks before the term of school closed. Her 
death occurred June 3, 1892. She was the mother 
of three children, one of whom died in infancj', 
those living being: Richard Lee, now of Texas; 
and Julia May, a young lady of twenty }'ears, re- 
siding at the old lirookfield homestead with Mrs. 
Wooley. Mrs. Hickman was largely self-educated, 
but became a very successful teacher. She was a 
busy woman, teaching continuously, and sometimes 
taking a summer school during her vacations. She 
is sadly missed in the intellectual circles of Brook- 
field, where for many years she had been an im- 
portant factor, and the educators with whom she 
was associated will have to search long to discover 
one to fill her place. The people of this city have 
honored her memory bj' giving her name to the 
old Central School building on Columbus Day, 
October 21, 1892. She was a member of the 
Christian Church, in which she was highly re- 
spected, being alwa\'S ready and anxious to take 
her part in any good woik. 

MISS FANNIE GILSON, primary teacher in 
the South Side schools of Brookfield, has proven 
herself a first-class teacher. She is a lady of cul- 
ture and refinement, of great intellectual power, 
and holds one of the two State certificates held in 
Linn Countj'. She was a daughter of James M. 
Gilson, a native of Vermont, bora in October, 
1818, and who died April 2, 1888. In 1866 he 
came to Missouri from Knox County, 111. At the 
age of twenty-one he was admitted to the Bar, 
having studied law with Judge Vilas, of Chelsea, 
Vt., the father of William F. Vilas, of Wisconsin. 
Later he removed to New York and from there 
went to California, where he engaged in mining 
two or three years. In 1853 he settled in Knox- 
ville. 111., engaging in the practice of law, and 
there assisted, in 1861, in raising a company of 
the Eighty-third Illinois, of which he became Sec- 
ond Lieutenant. At the defense of Ft. Donelson 
he was made a Captain, serving as such until the 
end of the war. After the war he located at 



various normal and other schools of merit. At 
the age of twenty-one he took up the profession 
of teaching, continuing it ever since. For three 
j'ears he was Principal of the St. Catharine graded 
school, for two years Principal of the schools at 
Laclede, and he is now serving his third year as 
Superintendent of the Brookfield schools. Prof. 
Joj'ce has managed the County Institute, holding 
a State license to do so, and for the past two 
3'ears has taught his own institute. Out of the 
one hundred and forty-three teachers licensed to 
teach in the county, Brookfield requires fourteen 
to impart instruction to the nine hundred pupils 
enrolled in the city. Owing to the good manage- 
ment and executive ability of Prof. Joyce, every- 
thing moves along smoothly, and the public 
schools of Brookfield are a credit to the county. 

Our subject was married July 21, 1891, to Miss 
Myra AVelsh, of Laclede, and has one son, H. L., 
six months old. Although not a politician in any 
sense of the word. Prof. Joyce has served accept- 
ably as County Commissioner, being now in his 
fourth year in that office. He was selected for 
the office on account of his educational qualifica- 
tions, his opponent being a Democrat as he himself 
is. The doctrines and teachings of the Methodist 
Church are those to which he subscribes. Prof. 
Joyce received his educational training in his na- 
tive county, which has reason to be proud of her 
son. Among the excellent corps of teachers that 
he has gathered around him special mention 
should be made of Miss Gilson, Miss Wilkinson, 
Miss Ware, Miss Murrain and Miss Barker. Mrs. 
Julia A. Hickman, who died in June, 1892, and of 
whom a brief notice follows, was also one of Prof. 
Joyce's valued assistants. 

MRS. JULIA ANN HICKMAN, nee Nelson, was 
an efficient teacher in the public schools for many 
years and died in harness. She was born June 12, 
1841, at Li^eumoise, Mo., and there grew to 
womanhood. At the age of seventeen she married 
James Franklin Hickman, at that time a teacher 
in Linn Countj'. Later Mr. and Mrs. Hickman 
removed to Nebraska City, where she assisted her 
husband in teaching until his death, which oc- 
curred several years later. She continued to teach 
in Nebraska for some time, then removed to LiV- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPmCAL RECORD. 



653 



Hrookfield, in 1866, engaging in real-estate and 
abstract business. On January 21, 1844, lie mar- 
ried Emily A. Waller, also born in Vermont, and 
tlic family resulting from this union consisted of 
two children, Daniel, a real-estate dealer in Brook- 
field, Mo., and our subject. Tlie latter began 
teaching in Brookticld schools in 1874, and is now 
in her ninth j-ear of professional work, having 
taught also four years in Nauvoo City, from 1878 
to 1882. Miss Gilson is an artist, and beside lier 
work as a primaiy teacher, gives private lessons in 
painting and drawing. 

MISS ELIZABETH J. AVILKIIS'SON, the teacher 
of third-grade work in the Brookfield schools, has 
been connected with the educational interests of 
this city for the past seven or eight years. She 
has proven herself a competent teacher, and is one 
who would be capable of tilling any position to 
which she miiilit be called. 



=«&?. 



,EV. S. Y. PITTS, A. B., pastor of the Bap- 
tist Church of Salisbury, is one of the old- 

>\\\ est and most i)rominent clergymen of that 
^©1 denomination in the State. Born in Ran- 
dolph Count}-, near Koanoke, Mo.,October 14,183.3, 
he is a sou of John A. Pitts, a native of Scott 
County, Ky. The grandfather. Younger Pitts, 
was a farmer in the same place, where he lived and 
died; the great-grandfather was a Virginian and 
the founder of the family in Kentucky. The 
father of our subject came to Missouri in 1832, 
making the journey by teams, and located in Silver 
Creek Townsiiip, Randolph County, where he pur- 
chased some fourteen hundred acres of land and 
engaged in farming, stock-raising and feeding cat- 
tle. His death occurred in 1876 at the age of 
seventy-two. He had been a consistent member 
of the Baptist Church for many years. 

The mother of our subject, Sarah (McDowell) 
Pitts, was a native of Danville, Mercer County, 
K,v., and the daughter of Dr. J. R. McDowell, a 
prominent physician of Scotch descent,who died at 
that place. The beloved mother passed away in 
184 1, leaving three children. Our subject is the 



only surviving member of the family. He was 
reaied on the farm, and was sent to private schools. 
Later he attended the Howard High School, under 
Messrs. Lucky and Davis, at Fayette, Howard 
County, for a period of two years, and in 1851 en- 
tered Georgetown College, at Georgetown, Ky., 
from which institution he graduated in 1854 with 
the degree of A. B. He was ordained as a mini- 
ster in the Baptist church in 1856. 

The marriage of our subject February 28, 1856, 
united him with Miss Annie Winston, the accom- 
plished daughter of Dr. J. D. Winston, of Nashville, 
Tenn. She was born in Columbia, Ky., and was edu- 
cated at Georgetown, that State. The happy mar- 
riage has been blessed by the birth of seven children: 
Mattie, a graduate of Mt. Pleasant College, is now 
Mrs. Burckhart, and resides upon a part of the old 
homestead; Annie, a graduate of Mt. Pleasant Col- 
lege, became Mrs. Pilcher and died at Nashville, 
Tenn., in 1885; John A. was educated at William 
Jewell College, and remains at the old home; AVin- 
ston received his education in William Jewell Col- 
lege, and is a farmer of Randolph County; Ella, 
Mrs. Joseph Hammett, resides in Huntsville; Har- 
vey, who was educated at William Jewell College, 
is a merchant in Salisbury; and Louise is at home. 

At the age of twenty-three years, Mr. Pitts 
located as pastor with the church of Clifton, Ran- 
dolph County, in which delightful relation he con- 
tinued for a period of thirty-one years and five 
months. There a large and inlluential church was 
built up. In this interval he also served as pastor of 
Mt. Shiloh church for nine years, and Roanoke and 
Huntsville each five years. During most of this time 
he was burdened with the cares of farms, stock and 
machinery, making two trips to the South with 
mules, and frequent trips to the city markets with 
cattle, chieHy the product of the farm, (iradually 
he retired from these cares and the duties of the 
ministry absorbed his mind, heart and life. 

Mr. Pitts has been iutimatel}- connected with 
mission work in the Mt. Pleasant Association. 
He served as the Secretary' of its Executive Board 
for twenty-three years, assisted in the organization 
of Baptist Churches at Pleasant Grove, Pleasant 
Green, Cairo and Dalton; aided in the organiza- 
tion and maintenance of Mt. Pleasant College, 



654 



POxiTRAIT AND BlOGRAPmCAL RECORD. 



located at Iluiitsville, and was a member of its 
Board of Trustees when it was burned, August IC, 
1882. He was honored by his brethren of the 
General Association of Missouri in 1886 Vj}- ap- 
pointment as member of the Executive Board of 
State Missions, which position he holds and in 
which he works assiduously. He has often been 
chosen delegate to the conventions of his denomi- 
nation. 

By nature Mr. Pitts was endowed with a good 
mind, vivid imagination and generous impulses; 
he enjoyed a liberal education, and, under the in- 
fluence of travel, reading and study, developed in- 
to a man of more than ordinarj' breadth and cul- 
ture. He has always resided within fifteen miles 
of his birthplace and is justly proud of his many 
warm and valued friends. Since July, 1887, he 
has given his entire time to pastoral duties in this 
city, and the people of Salisliury find in him a 
pleasant, agreeable gentleman, as well as an 
earnest, efficient minister. 



A.J. JOSEPH HUGHES FINKS. The city 
of Salisburj' owes a debt of gratitude to 
Maj. Finks for the hearty aid he has ever 
given all public enterprises. One of the 
most popular citizens of Chariton County, he has 
become widely known throughout this section of 
the State. Maj. Finks was born near Stanards- 
ville, Greene County Va., August 7, 1838, and 
traces liis ancestry hack in a direct line to Switzer- 
land. Great-grandfather INIark Finks was the first 
representative of the family who sought a home 
upon these hospitable shores. He located in Mad- 
ison County-, Va., where he married a Miss Fisher, 
whose family later became prominent in the his- 
tory of Kentucky. In the Revolutionary War he 
served as a Captain under Gen. La Fayette, and, 
after an active and useful life, died at the ad- 
vanced age of eighty-four 3ears. A man of peace- 
ful disposition, he never had a personal enemy, 
and this pacific temper has descended to his pos- 
terity. 



James Finks, the grandfather of our subject, 
was born in 1776, in Madison Count}', Va., where 
he followed agricultural pursuits and died at the 
age of seventy j-ears. He was a soldier in the 
War of 1812. The grandmother of our subject 
was named in her maidenhood Mary Allen. The 
father of our subject, Capt. James F., was born 
in Madison County, Va., September 1, 1808, and 
was reared to manhood in Madison and Greene 
Counties, Xn. He married Miss Mary E. Dulaney, 
who died in 1835. In 1836 he made a visit to 
Howard County, and the ensuing j'ear was united 
in marriage with jMiss Caroline, the daughter of 
Joseph S. and Cassandra G. (Price) Hughes, natives 
of Kentucky. 

Joseph S. Iluglies, the maternal grandfather of 
our subject, was born in Maryland in 1784, and 
when quite young he removed with his parents to 
Pennsylvania, but after a short sojourn there the}' 
located in Kentucky. They arrived in Jessamine 
County at an early date and the families were 
obliged to seek refuge in forts during the In- 
dian wars in which the early settlers engaged. 
His wife, Cassandra G. Price, was the daughter of 
William Price, a soldier in the American Revolu- 
tion, who served several terms in the Kentuck}- 
State Senate and was a relative of the late Sterling 
Price, of this .State. 

In 1816, Joseph Hughes came to Missouri and 
located land. In 1817 he brought his family and 
selected a place four miles west of Fayette, where 
he opened about three hundred acres. Later, he 
became the owner of a larger farm five miles east 
of Glasgow, where he resided until his death in 
1863; his wife survived until in 1868. His father 
was William Hughes, a native of Maryland, and 
of Welsh descent. He was married at Ft. Pitt, 
Pa., the present site of the city of Pittsburgh, to 
Miss Martha, a daughter of John Swan, the mes- 
senger used against the British and Indians. 

In 1851 Capt. James Finks migrated to Howard 
County, where he engaged in farming on a large 
scale in Prairie Township, and continued until a 
short time prior to his decease. After the late war 
lie moved into Glasgow and resided there until 
the time of liis death, in 1889. His wifostill makes 
her home at that place.' She w.as the mother of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORIJ 



655 



four children, two sons and two daughters, and 
our subject was the eldest of the family. 

Joseph came with his parents in 1851 to How- 
ard County and there remained until 1854, when 
he returned to his native State to complete his 
education in Itendolph-Macon College, in Meck- 
Icnburgh County, Va., and also at Richmond Col- 
lege, in the city of Richmond. Returning to his 
old home in Missouri, he soon became intensely 
interested in the public questions of the day, and 
when Gov. Jackson called for troops he enlisted in 
the State Guards and was made Lieutenant of his 
company. He immediately entered active service 
and was soon commissioned Lieutenant-Colonel 
by the Governoi-. and was assigned to a position 
on the staff of Gen. John B. Clark, Sr. 

In the fall of 1862, our subject volunteered in 
the Confederate service and thus cast his fortunes 
with his Southern brethren, lie continued a brave 
and gallant officer until the unhappy struggle was 
over, and then surrendered at Shreveport, La., in 
May, 1865. Although he was suffering at the 
time, he, with six others, among whom was Gen. 
Parsons, started immediately for Mexico. The 
others of this illustrious party were: Col. Standish, 
Col. Williams, of the staff of Gen. Buckner; Hon. 
Mr. Con roe, a member of the Confederate Con- 
gress from Richmond, Mo., and Capt. George 
Lewis. 

This party traveled by ambulance, but on reach- 
ing San Antonia, Tex., our subject became so ill 
that he could not go further, and by the advice of 
the physician he remained there. His particular 
friend, Capt. Lewis, remained with him, while the 
balance of the party continued on their way, but 
a few days later thej' were all murdered by the 
Mexicans. The Major considers that a special in- 
tervention of Providence saved him from a like 
fate, for he soon recovered suHiciently to go into 
Central Texas, where he remained until able to re- 
turn home. 

Capt. Lewis, the devoted friend of our sub- 
ject, returned to La Fayette County, liut a short 
time afterward met an accidental death, so that 
JIaj. Finks is the only one of the seven friends 
who now remains. While in the !irm3' he won for 
himself a reputation Itotli as an officer and a sol- 



dier. His commission ,as Major w«s given him by 
President Jefferson Davis, and he occupied posi- 
tions on the staffs of Gens. D. M. Frost, John B. 
Clark, Sr., John B. Clark, Jr., Drayton and M. M. 
Parsons, and was a member of the staff of the lat- 
ter at the time of the surrender. 

After the return of Maj. Fiuks he engaged in 
farming until 1870, when he was elected Clerk 
of the Circuit Court and Recorder of Howard 
County. In 1864 he was re-elected bj' a large 
majority, thus serving eight years in that capacit^'^ 
to the entire satisfaction of all, and won a rep- 
utation which fully justified his friends in desir- 
ing his re-election. At the end of his second term 
he was elected a member of the State Legislature 
of 1878-79, from Howard Countv, and in this body 
he ranked high. The Major continued on his 
farm until 1884, when he bought a controlling in- 
terest in the Bank of Salisbury, and has since that 
time held the position of Cashier. By his energy 
and close attention to the financial management 
of the institution it has become one of the leading 
banks of the county, as it is the oldest one in the 
city, having been organized in 1876. 

The marriage of our subject in Chariton County, 
December 17, 1873, united him with Miss Lizzie, 
the daughter of William J. and Ellen M. Harvey. 

I Her parents were jjioneers of Missouri and were 
highl}' respected by the people of Chariton County, 

' where Mr. Harvey was a successful farmer. Mrs. 
Finks was educated at the Sacred Heart Convent 

j at St. Louis, and also attended Howard College, at 
Fayette, Mo. She is a lady of rare acccomplish- 
ments and beautiful and refined taste. Her lovely 

I home on the corner of Broadway and Fourth 
Street is the exponent of much of her artistic and 
cultured taste, and there she assists her husband 

' in dispensing hospitalitj-, or makes for him the 
beautiful haven of rest which a home should al- 
waj's be. Much of her leisure is given to the 
charitable work of her church, but she finds time 
to care tenderly for her two daughters, Helen and 
Lizzie, both of whom are attending the North Mis- 
souri Institute. The only son, Joseph, Jr., died at 
the age of six years. 

The Jlajor was one of the most .active organizers 

I of the North Missouri Institute, and is President 



656 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of its Board of Directors. He is also a member of 
the Board of Trustees of the PubUc Scliools of 
Salisbury, aud for several terms has served as a 
member of the City Council. Socially he has been 
an official of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows, and a member of the Encampment, a Past 
OfHcer in the Masonic fraternity, member of Tan- 
cred Commandery, at Moberly, Mo., and is also 
identified with the Ancient Order of United Work- 
men. In the Baptist Church of Salisbury he is an 
active worker aud prominent officer. For four 
years he was a member and Treasurer of the Dem- 
ocratic State Committee. 



kABAN T. EMBREE, the gentleman whose 
honored name opens this sketch, is now oc- 
cupying the chair of the Chief Executive 
of the city of Salisbury, where he is one of the best 
known and respected citizens. Mr. Embree is cel- 
ebrated throughout the entire city for his excel- 
lent business judgment in all matters, and it wonld 
have been difficult to have selected a gentleman 
better fitted to meet the demands of the office of 
Mayor of Salisbury than ]\Ir. Embree. 

Our subject was born near Glasgow, Chariton 
Township, Howard County, November 13, 1842. 
The grandfather of our subject, Thomas Embree, 
was a native of Kentucky, where he engaged in 
agricultural pursuits. He gained honor in the 
War of 1812 and early in the '30s came with his 
family by team to the State of Missouri. His first 
location was near Old Franklin, where he engaged 
in farming for a few years. Later he removed to 
Monroe County, where he became a pioneer, en- 
tered land and remained until his death. His wife 
lived to the unusual age of one hundred and two 
years, having no doubt gained her wonderful con- 
stitution from her French ancestors. 

The father of our subject was Lewis Embree, 
born in aiadison County, Ky. He became the 
owner of a farm near Glasgow, Mo., where he fol- 
lowed the occupation of farming and the trade of 
a brick-rouson. In 1850 he located on a farm in 



Chariton County, near Bynumville, in Bee Branch 
Township. Here his wife died in 1851, and the 
next year he went to California across the plains, 
with ox-teams, to engage in mining. In 1857, he 
returned to this county aud settled on the same 
f.arm, where he remained until 1862, when he en- 
tered the Confederate army as a volunteer. He 
was mostly under Price's command until the close 
of the war, when he returned to the farm, which he 
later sold and with the proceeds bought a farm in 
Keytesville Township and engaged in farming 
until his death in 1886. Mr. Embree was a con- 
sistent member of the Christian Church. 

The mother of our subject, Sallie A. (Ford) 
Embree, was born in Howard Countj^ a daughter 
of L.aban Ford, a native of Kentucky, who was an 
early settler in Howard County-, Mo. He was a 
large farmer and hemp-raiser and engaged in these 
callings until his death, which occurred on his 
homestead. Mrs. Embree died in 1851. At that 
time she had three living children, two of whom 
grew up, and of these our subject was the eldest. 
He is now the only one living. The father by a 
second marriage reared a family of six children, 
all of whom are yet living. 

Our subject, Laban Embree, was reared on a farm 
near Bynumville, aud when his father went to Cal- 
ifornia he remained with a friend of the family. 
At the age of fifteen he started out to fight life's 
battles fo)' himself and was at work in Howard 
County on the return of his father from Califor- 
nia. He early learned the necessity of work and 
obtained his education in a log schoolhouse, where 
the seats were made of slabs. After the return of 
his father from California our subject made his 
home with him until the outbreak of the war. 
Laban found considerable amusement in his youth 
in hunting, as turkeys and deer were very plenti- 
ful and he became very expert in their capture. 
In 18C2 he entered the Confederate arm3' from 
Howard County, Mo., enlisting in the First Mis- 
souri Brigade, Sixth Regiment, Company G. He 
was in the battle of Pea Ridge, being afterward 
transferred to the State of Mississippi, where he en- 
tered into the thickest of the struggle. He was a 
participant in the dreadful carnage at the first 
battle of Corinth, at J uka, the second battle of 



V 4 



■i'-y <""> ^ 




<^ 



'/y^ 



'/H/- 




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



659 



Corinth, Grand Gulf and Port Gibson, at which 
place, Maj' 1, 1863, he was taken prisoner. 

After this misfortune our subject endured one 
month's conflnement at Alton Militar}' Prison, 
and was then sent to Camp Morton, Ind., where he 
was confined until the end of the war, suffering ex- 
tremely. May 20, 1865, he was released and came 
home. He soon eng.aged in farming again in 
Howard County, where he remained until March, 
1867. At this time he was married to Miss Mary 
A. Ford, a native of Howard County, .and a daugh- 
ter of John Ford, a Kentuckian who made early 
settlement in Howard County and died there. The 
mother of Mrs. Embree was Iaicj' (Kelly) Ford, 
also a native of Kentucky. In .lanuary, 1869, Mr. 
Embree located two and one-half miles south of 
Salisbury, where he bought a farm of eighty acres, 
which was already somewhat improved. This farm 
he continued to operate until the spring of 1883, 
when he sold it and located in Salisbury. At this 
lime he entered the grocery business in partnership 
with L. T. Attsbery, under the firm name of Em- 
bree & Attsbery. This partnership lasted for eigh- 
teen months, at the end of which time Mr. Embree 
()urchased Mr. Attsbery's interest, and, continuing 
alone, is now the oldest grocer in the city. 

In 1888, our subject found it necessary to erect 
a tine brick store 25x70 feet in dimensions. He 
has become interested in various lines of business 
in this city and is a stockholder in the People's 
Bank; a charter member in the Salisbury Building 
it Loan Association, and is also a member of the 
Salisbury Academy Association. Socially, he is asso- 
ciated with the Knights of P^^thiasand is Master of 
Exchequer in that order. In 1888, our subject be- 
came a member of the City Council and was placed 
upon different important committees. In 1890 he 
was re-elected, receiving everj' vote in the ward 
with the exception of one, which was his own. In 
1891 the call of his fellow-citizens for him to be- 
come candidate for Mayor could not be disre- 
garded, so he resigned his position as Alderman 
and was elected Mayor bj- a large majority. He 
will be gratefully remembered by his fellow-cit- 
izens for his efforts while Mayor for the advance- 
ment of the city, especially' in i-egard to tlie estab- 
lishniiiit of 1 lie electric light plant here, and his 

33 



friends are very desirous that he shall continue 
for many terms in his office. 

In his position as INIayor, Mr. Enibree has be- 
come the presiding officer of the City Council and 
is the chief magistrate of the city. In his political 
opinions. Mayor Embree is a Democrat, but is pop- 
ular in all circles, whether political, social or re- 
ligious. He is a very well-informed gentleman, 
pleasant, approachable, kind-hearted and liberal. 






ON. AVILLIAM CROWLEY. Among the 
citizens of Ray County, few are more widelj- 
known and none more highly' esteemed than 
the subject of this biographical notice, who 
is a resident of section 7, township 54, range 29. 
.Judge Crowley was born in Powell's Valley, Tenn., 
October 31, 1816, and was but three months old 
when he was taken by his parents to Fayette 
Count3', Ala., where his early childhood years were 
passed in an uneventful manner. 

November 7, 1829, our subject accompanied his 
parents in their removal to Clay County, Mo. 
Here his father, Isham Crowle}', entered from the 
Government a tract of land, which he cleared and 
improved, and upon which he resided for nineteen 
years. Removing thence to Texas, he engaged as 
a farmer and stock-raiser in that State, where lie 
remained until his death. He and his wife, whose 
maiden name was Elizabeth Medley, became the 
parents of nine children, four of whom are living, 
as follows: B. F., who makes his home in Texas; 
Levena, the widow of Joseph Johnson; Margaret, 
wife of George W. Ash; and our subject. The 
father of this family was a verj- successful farmer 
and a man of enterprise and progressive spirit. 

Both in Alabama and Missouri, our subject was 
a pupil in the district schools, and the education 
thus acquired has been supplemented by observa- 
tion and self-culture. His marriage, November 
19, 1810, united him with Miss Margaret, daugh- 
of William Miller, and they became the parents of 
ten children, nine of whom now survive, namely: 
James I., wiio resides In Ray County; William T., 
a minister in the C'lirislian C'liurch; Susan F., wife 



660 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of Columbus Evans, of Grundy County, Mo.; 
John W., a resident of the Chickasaw Nation,!. T.; 
P^ugeuia Kate, who married Joseph Ilolman, of 
Clay Count}', Mo.; David M. and George W., who 
are at home; Barnum M., of Ra}' County; and U. 
S. Grant, who is at home. A. 1>. passed away Oc- 
tober 23, 186.5. 

After the death of his first wife, ,ludge Crowley 
was united in marriage with Mrs. W. .T. Henderson, 
daughter of Rev. Benjamin Riley, who was born 
in North Carolina, removed thence to Kentucky, 
and from there to Missouri, his profession being 
that of a minister in the Baptist Church. Mrs. 
Crowley was born July .5, 1822. She was reared 
and educated in Clay County, and was never out- 
side of the county but once in her life. Kind and 
unassuming in her nature, she has won and retains 
the warm regard of her neighbors and acquaint- 
ances. 

Upon his farm, where he has resided for thirt)- 
five years or more, Judge Crowle.y carries on a 
general farming and stock-raising business. The 
place consists of two hundred and ten acres, finel}' 
improved and embellished with a substantial set 
of farm buildings. In his religious connections, 
he is a member of the Christian Church, with 
which his wife is also identified. During the war 
be was an uncompi-omising Union man, and was 
always bitterly opposed to slavery: In politics, 
he is an ardent Republican, and was elected by his 
party to tlie position of County Judge, which he 
filled from 1867 to 1868. Sixteen years prior to 
that time he served as .Justice of the Peace; he 
has also served with efficiency as School Director, 
as guardian and as administrator of estates. 



IDNEY G. SANDUSKY, the subject of 
this sketch, was born in Jessamine County, 
Ky., on the 27th of February, 184;>. His 
father was William Sandusky, a tluifty 
Kentucky farmer, who died when but little past 
his prime, leaving, however, an estate ample for 
the rearing of a large family of cliildren in a re- 
spectable manner. 



Our subject, on his father's side, is of Polish 
extraction, but his father and grandfather were 
natives of Kentucky, and his great-grandfather 
was one of the pioneers of that State, being so men- 
tioned by Butler in his history of Kentucky. On 
his mother's side, his ancestors were Virginians 
and Kentuckians. His maternal grandfather's 
name was George. He was born in Virginia, and 
came to Kentucky at an early day. His maternal 
grandmother's name was Rogers, she belonging 
to the numerous Kentucky family of that name. 
In the sj^ring of 1855, the mother of Mr. San- 
duskj', with her children, who were then small, 
moved to Liberty, Mo., wiiere, with the exception 
of a few short intervals of time, our subject has 
since resided. He had superior educational ad- 
vantages, having entered William .Jewell College 
when about fifteen years of age, and he continued 
his attendance there until he completed the full 
course of that institution. His predilection was for 
the law, and accordingly, a short time after leav- 
ing college, he entered as a student of the law the 
office of Frederick Gwinner, one of the most ac- 
complished lawyers who ever belonged to the Lib- 
erty Bar. But at that time the war between the 
States was in progress, and Mr. Sandusky partook 
of the unrest incident to it, and for a few years 
discontinued his legal studies. 

In the year 1869, the office of Recorder of 
Deeds of Clay Count}', Mo., was separated from 
that of Clerk of the Circuit Court, and an elec- 
tion was ordered to fill the same until the en- 
suing general election. The late Edwin G. Hamil- 
ton was elected to said office, but, being the 
assistant cashier of the Commercial Savings Bank 
of Liberty, Mo., and not desiring to give up that 
position, he employed Mr. Sandusky to take 
charge of the office for him, which, under the law 
of that time, was permissible. At the general 
election in 1870, Mr. Sandusky was himself elected 
Recorder, and four years thereafter was re-elected 
without opposition. At tlie conclusion of his sec- 
ond term as Recorder, he was elected to the office 
of Clerk of the Circuit Court, and four years af- 
terward was re-elected witliout opposition. Witli- 
<uit seeking further election to that office, at the 
end of his term he entered as a partner the law 



Portrait and BiooRAriiiCAL record. 



661 



office of Senator Sirarall, and remained for about 
three j'ears, the firm commanding a very large and 
lucrative practice. lie is now a member of the 
lirni of Sandusky ik Sandusky, his partner being a 
younger brother, .Tames M. Sandusky, until lately 
.ludge of this judicial circuit. 

Our subject was married in Sejitember, 1885, to 
Miss Anna Miller, a daughter of the late D. D. 
Miller, of Liberty, Mo., a lady of many attractions 
and Yevy popular. Two children have been born 
to them, a boy and a girl, Miller and Julia. Mr. 
Sandusky is connected witli several large and im- 
])ortant enterprises, among them being the Clay 
County Milling Company, of which he is now, and 
has been from its organization, the Secretary and 
Treasurer. He is comfortably situated financially, 
and has one of the finest houses in Libert}'. 



<S^DWARD W. WILLIAMS, our subject, has 
l^ a commodious and most attractive home at 
,JI — <^ Brookfield, JIo., where he and his accom- 
plished wife dispense a genuine Soutiiern hospital- 
ity. Such a home and such surroundings are the 
reward of a life that has been spent in industry 
and honesty, and those who know Mr. Williams 
will attest that he deserves his good fortune. He 
was born in Windham, Ohio, October 5, 1827, and 
spent his da\'s upon the old home place until 1845, 
and in the county of his birth until 1873, when he 
came to Linn County, and bought eighteen acres 
where he now lives, within the corporate limits of 
Erooklield. Our subject is the son of Col. Ephraim 
L. Williams, a native of Massachusetts, and a 
Colonel of the War of 1812, who settled in Ohio 
in 1817. Our subject had, during twent}^ years 
of his life in Ohio, been a breeder of Shorthorn 
cattle and of Leicestershire sheep, and of the for- 
mer he brought seventy with him to Missouri 
when he first came. These were about the first 
cattle of their breed introduced in Linn County, 
and the people did not take very kindly to them, 
opposition coming from the business men of the 
town, Eastern men being even more hostile than 
Missourians. After about six years, he disposed 



of them by selling them in Kansas. Beside his 
cattle business, he has done some business in con- 
tracting and building. 

Our subject was married December 25, 1848, at 
Windham, in his native State, to Almira L. Smith, 
who was born in Middlefield, Mass. Mr. and Mrs. 
Williams have had five children, but have been so 
unfortunate as to lose four of them in early life, 
and the fifth, a daughter. May, who married 
Hobert E. Rider in 1882, died September 1.3, 1883. 
The parents of Mr. Rider came to Missouri with 
him and died here; their niece, Sarah Rossman, 
also accompanied them, and lived here several 
j'ears, but is now married and living in Massachu- 
setts. Mr. Williams is an original Republican, 
having been an active and influential worker in 
that party ever since its birth, taking an earnest 
part in campaigns in Missouri just as in Ohio. In 
the latter State he had been identified with the 
great men of the party, among whom was Presi- 
dent Garfield, who was his warm, personal friend. 
Our subject was a member of the convention in 
1862 that nominated Garfield for Congress, and 
the contest was so close that Garfield won bj- one 
vote and that was east by a man who was directly 
influenced by Mr. Williams. Our subject is an 
astute, far-seeing and most valuable political ad- 
viser. Mrs. Williams is a devout and active mem- 
ber of the Presbyterian Church, where her services 
in Christian work are highly appreciated. 

Our subject went out in April, 1864, witii a 
company of national guards, raised at AVindiiani. 
They formed a part of the One Hundred and Sev- 
enty-first Ohio Regiment and their chief duty was 
the guarding of prisoners at .Johnson's Island. 
The command participated in the action at Keller's 
Bridge, a fight lasting from seven o'clock until 
noon, in which seven hundred Union soldiers were 
pitted against three thousand five hundred of Mor- 
gan's command. Our subject's regiment was ca|)- 
tured in this encounter and they w?re started South 
with their captors, but next day were overhauled 
by Gen. Breckinridge, who was following after, 
and they were paroled and returned to .Johnson's 
Island. It was subsequenti}' learned that the regi- 
ment had been sent out in response to a telegram 
calling for the best regiment and a good battery 



662 



PORTRAIT A^^D BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



to go to some point in Kentucky. This telegram 
proved to have been sent by Morgan himself for 
the purpose of entrapping the regiment, as was 
done when, proceeding on their way, they had 
reached the burnt bridge near Cynthiaua. the 
Union soldiers being in entire ignorance of the 
proximity of the great raider. The object of 
Morgan was to get the soldiers away from John- 
son's Island, and then, by a bold dash, to capture 
Cincinnati, and release the three thousand five 
hundred prisoners at Johnson's Island, a scheme 
that might have been successful had he not stop- 
ped to fight at the bridge. Greeley's "American 
Conflict" saj's the One Hundred and Seventy-first 
was coward!}' for not fighting longer; yet this is 
indignantly denied by thousands, who call the 
soldiers heroes. They stood out five hours, being 
only seven hundred against three thousand five 
hundred, and lost but thirteen killed, while the 
enemy had ninety killed. The gallant commander 
of the One Hundred and Seventy-first Regiment 
was Col. Aspen, whose memor}' is cherished b}' the 
survivors. 



'jl ACOB E. COWDERY. With the increase in 
population, refinement and wealth through- 
out the United States, has arisen a growing 
demand for the blending of the artistic and 
the beautiful with the utilitarian in architecture. 
The result has been extremely gratifying to the 
advocates of progress in this important profession. 
Among those who have acquired a wide reputa- 
tion for their skill and artistic conception as 
architects, ranks Jacob E. Cowdery, a description of 
whose work often appears in the Scleniijir. Ameri- 
can and other periodicals. 

Mr. Cowdery was born in iVIeigs County, Ohio, 
December 20, 1836, and is a son of Charles B. and 
Charlotte (Packard) Cowdery. The paternal grand- 
father, Jacob Cowdery, was born and reared in 
Connecticut, and was a soldier of the Revolution- 
ary War. His wife hore the maiden name of Abi- 
gail Olmstead Beckwith, and was born in 1766. 



She often told the subject of this sketch that she 
heard the first gun fired at Lexington, Mass., in 
177.5, at the breaking out of hostilities between 
England and the Colonies. Charles B. Cowdery 
followed the occupation of farming throughout 
life, but was also of quite an inventive turn of 
mind. He was a Jacksonian Democrat, of uncom- 
promising stripe, up to the day of his death at the 
age of about sixty-three years. His wife was from 
a prominent New Hampshire family. To this wor- 
thy couple eleven children were born, five sons 
and six daughters, eight of whom are now living, 
Jacob E. being the eldest. 

Jacob E. Cowdery remained with his parents 
until he attained his twenty-fourth year, during 
which time he obtained a thorough and practical 
education. He devoted his attention to teaching 
the "young idea" in the rural district of his native 
county for about seven winters, with the excep- 
tion of two terms, when he followed the same oc- 
cupation in Scott and Clinton Counties, Iowa. 
April 11, 1861, he married Miss Louisa L. Water- 
man, a daughter of David B. Waterman, who was 
also born in Connecticut, but resided in Athens 
County, Ohio. Her paternal grandfather was the 
celebrated Dr. Waterman of Revolutionary fame. 
Her maternal grandfather was a son of a German 
nobleman, who disinherited him on account of his 
marriage with a second wife, who succeeded in in- 
ducing him to disinherit his first wife's children 
and bestow his property upon hers. He was born 
near Stuttgart, Wurtemberg, and was for a time a 
soldier in the service of Holland, participating in 
a war between that country and England, after 
which he emigrated to America. 

Mrs. Cowdery was born in Athens County, Ohio, 
November 15, 1839. She received excellent ad- 
vantages in her youth, was highly intellectual and 
both she and her husband taught school in Iowa 
for some time after their marriage. Her people 
were all members of the Methodist Church and ex- 
ceptionally devoted to their creed. Her union 
with Mr. Cowdeiy resulted in the birth of three 
children, one of whom died in his ninth year. Jo- 
sie L., who was born August 8, 1862, married Jo- 
seph T. Duncan, of Clay County, Mo., and is resid- 
ing in Greenville, of this State. She was a sue- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, 



663 



cessful teac'lier in the imlilic schools of Clay County 
prior to her marriage, and also taught in Excelsior 
Springs and elsewhere for some time after her 
marriage. Edith, the third child, was born Sep- 
tember 14, 1871, and married Frank E. Rose, who 
is now a painter and decorator of Richmond, Ray 
County, Mo. She is a talented portrait artist in 
oil. Mr. and Mrs. Rose have two children, Edna, 
two years old, and Clarice, an infant. Mrs. Dun- 
can has a daughter, Gladys, who was horn Septem- 
ber 2, 1H86. 

Jn 188() Mr. C'owdery removed with his family 
to Greenville, Mo., from Iowa, and has since de- 
voted his attention to his architectural work and 
to contracting. In 1888 he came to Excelsior 
Springs, where he bought propertj^ and erscted 
thereon a beautiful residence, but at the present 
time is residing in Richmond, Raj' County. He is 
a solid Republican, and while a resident of Cedar 
County, Iowa, he filled the office of Township Clerk, 
being honored by re-elections until he had served 
seven j'cars. He then of his own accord resigned 
to remove with his familv to Missouri. In the 
different localities in which he has resided his 
course has been marked by earnest purpose and 
useful activity, and for integrity and probity no 
man in Missouri stands higher. He and his fam- 
ih' are members of the Christian Church, and he 
is one of its most active workers and liberal sup- 
porters, in fact, all enterprises that are worthy re- 
ceive patronage at his hands. He is a credit to 
the section in which he resides, and this fact the 
wide-awake citizens of Riclimond have not been 
slow to recognize. 



m>^^<^ 



^..'LLEN M. FOWLER is a retired merchant 
MJW and county official who is making his 
home in Richmond, Raj- County. He was 
born in (h-ape Grove Township of the 
same county, March 26, 1852, and is a son of 
Thomas B. Fowler, a native of Tennessee, who was 
born in Bedford County in the year 1816, and 
was a prominent merchant for many years. He came 
to this county in 1S;?1, liK-ating at Millville ninnv 



years later, in 18.56, where he engaged in general 
merchandising until 1872. At that date he was 
elected Collector of the county and removed to 
Richmond to take charge of the office. In 1874 
he was re-elected and died before his term had ex- 
pired on September 16, 1875. His father, Samuel 
Fowler, was a native of North Carolina, who fol- 
lowed the tide of immigration Westward, going 
first to Tennessee and afterward coming to Mis- 
souri, passing his last days in Ray County. He 
was of Scotch-Irish descent and a thoroughly re- 
spected and prominent man. 

The mother of our subject, whose maiden name 
was Emily Thompson, was born in Knoxville 
Township, Ray County, being a daughter of Jo- 
seph and Ann Thompson. On her mother's side 
she was of (^erman origin. Mrs. Fowler and her 
husband were devoted members of the Christian 
Church. Her death occurred in Millville in Au- 
gust, 1858. Mr. Fowler was earlier in life a Whig 
and later an ally of the Democratic parly. 

Our subject is the youngest in a familj- of eight 
children, of whom five are living. Anna E. is now 
Mrs. Graham; Sarah F. is the wife of H. C. Pettis; 
May V. married William S. Seymour; and Octavia 
L. is the wife of Dr. W. M. (^uarles. Allen M. was 
reared in Ray County, spending his early boj'liood 
ill Millville, and there attending the public schools. 
He later pursued a course of study for one year in 
the State University at Columbia, Mo., after which 
he entered his father's oflice as a clerk, and in 
the fall of 1873, after the latler's death, our subject 
was appointed to fill the unexpired term. In 1876 
he was elected Collector of the county and served 
in that capacity for two years. On retiring from 
that position he embarked in the mercantile busi- 
ness with George I. Wassoii, under the firm name 
of Wasson & Fowler, which connection lasted two 
years, when the partner sold out his interest to a 
Mr. Ewing. This firm continued to do business 
until 1883, when Benjamin Keel purchased Mr. 
Ewing's interest and became a member of the firm. 
In the fall of 1885 the business was sold out. Just 
a year previous to this Mr. Fowler was elected 
County Treasurer for a term of two years, and on 
the expiration of his official duties he formed a 
pnrtncrship in IS.sCi with .1. II. I'ercival to carry 



664 



PORTRAIT AlSfD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



on a hardware and furniture business. This they 
did successfully until the summer of 1889, when 
our subject sold his interest, and, retiring from the 
firm, was made Assistant Cashier in the Exchange 
IJaiik, which place he held until July, 1892. 

On New Year's Day, 1880, a marriage ceremony 
was performed which united tlie destinies of Al- 
len M. Fowler and Miss Maud 11. Wilson, of Ray 
County, who is a daughter of Andrew and Rhoda 
A. (Crain) Wilson. Two children grace this union, 
Thomas B. and Ilhodell. The pleasant home of 
the family is situated on Tiiornton Avenue, where 
their many friends are at all times welcomed and 
pleasantly entertained bj- the hospitable inmates. 
Our subject is a Democrat, and fraternally, belongs 
to Richmond Lodge, I. O. O. V. 



■vrpilDWARD M. WILLIAMS,ono of the largest 
lU) stock dealers of the count}' of Chariton, 
;lk^ Mo., and a man who stands high in the 
estimation of the public in every way, is the subject 
of this sketch. Mr. Williams is a lover of the Slate 
of Missouri, for within its borders he was reared, 
liaving been born in the township of Salisbury, 
Chariton County, April 22, 1841. The interesting 
sketch containing the faniil}- history of our sub- 
ject appears in another part of this volume, and it 
shows from what sterling ancestors our subject ob- 
tained his excellent qualities. lie was the fourth 
in a family of ten children, and early learned to 
toil, thus fixing habits of industry and economy 
which have done him good service in his after life. 

The education of oui' subject was obtained in the 
pioneer log schoolhouse, with its slab benches and 
huge chimney, and under tlie watchful eye of a 
master who was expected not only to enlighten 
the understanding, but also to correct the tempers 
and form the manners of the hapless pupils. Mr. 
Williams remained at home until the death of his 
father, when he took charge of the farm. He 
went into hemp raising at first, later raised tobacco 
and finally engaged in raising stock. 

After purchasing the old farm from the other 
heirs, our subject bought more land and added to 



it until now he is owner of some eighteen hundred 
acres in the vicinity, and one hundred acres in one 
body. His residence on Broadway and Sixth 
Street is the finest one in this city, and his grounds 
are watered by the east fork of the Chariton River. 
The barns and tenant houses on his place are well 
looked after, and in consequence are in fine condi- 
tion. In late years he has engaged extensively in the 
raising of horses, Cotswold sheep and Shorthorn 
cattle. He located in the city in 1888, but still 
carries on the farm. 

In dealing in real estate, our subject has liad 
much success. In partnership with M. R. Williams, 
he laid out the Williams Addition to the city, con- 
sisting of eleven acres of land, and this is now all 
built up. The location of the farm is five miles to 
the south of the city, and all of it is considered good 
wheat land, much of it being what is called bot- 
tom land, and upon it he has the best of improve- 
ments. In 1882, Mr. Williams became one of the 
promoters of the Chariton and Montana Cattle 
Company, with a capital stock of 1126,000. He 
was made one of the Directors and went out there 
to start the business in that fine grazing country, 
remaining for three months. The company now 
have from five to seven thousand cattle there and 
a great many horses. Our subject is interested in 
a new town at New Decatur, Ala., and owns shares 
in it, and is also a stockholder in the Bank of Salis- 
bury and in the North Missouri Institute, of which 
he is one of the Directors. 

April 12, 1871, occurred the marriage of Mr. 
Williams and Anna E. Allen, who was born in 
this township, the accomplished daughter of John 
H. Allen, of Mercer County, and the granddaughter 
of Dr. Allen, an old physician of this county, where 
he ministered to the people until his lamented 
death. Her father, who was a farmer here, had 
served in the Mexican War under Col. Price, who 
was later made a General. He was a Baptist in his 
religious convictions. The mother of Mrs. Will- 
iams was Miss Elizabeth Hayes before marriage, a 
native of this State and county, and a daughter 
of Robert Hayes; the latter, a native of Kentucky, 
was a farmer all of his life. Mrs. Williams was 
the eldest of six children and was educated at De- 
catur, 111. She is a lad}' of rare charm of manner 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



665 



and makes for her husband a home worthy of liim. 
A part of her leisure is jjiven to charitable work in 
the Baptist Churuh, of which she is a member. In 
l)olitios, Mr. Williams is a Democrat and in this 
connection he is as true and honest as in all other 
relations of life. Liberal and kind-hearted, he de- 
servedly stands liigh in the estimation of the com- 
munity. 



■^ OSEPH BAIER, a member of the Arm of 
Baier & Ilaysler, wholesale and retail deal- 
ers in meats, is a successful business man of 
Salisbury. He was born March 8, 1835, in 
the village of Weigheim, Wurtemberg, German}', 
where both father and grandfather before him had 
been born, and where they both died. His grand- 
father followed the occupation of a farmer, while 
the father made a specialty of stock-raising, and 
died in 1884 at the age of seventy years. The 
mother of our subject was named Marj' (Werner) 
Baier, and was born in Baden, Germany, where she 
died at the age of seventy' years. She had been a 
devoted member of the Roman Catholic Church, 
and was the mother of sixteen children, only four 
of whom survive. 

Our subject was the eldest of the family, and 
■was the only one who made a home in Ameiica. 
He was reared in Germany, where he received his 
education in the excellent schools and worked on 
the farm. He had read of the United States, and 
through correspondence with friends had found 
out something of the resources of the land be3'ond 
the sea, and at the age of seventeen he decided to 
emigrate to the New World. 

In the spring of 1852, Mr. Baier left Havre on a 
sailing-vessel, and after a voyage of seventy days 
reached New Orleans, but not without mishap. Off 
the coast of Cuba the vessel was injured so that 
she sunk on a rock, but was pumped out, raised, 
and the passengers again set sail. All of the pro- 
visions had been spoiled, hence there was a great 
scarcity of food during the latter part of the 
joiuiicy. From New Orleans our subject went 



up the river to St. Louis and commenced to learn 
the trade of blacksmith, but was taken sick, and 
after recovery made his way to Glasgow. There 
with his uncle Philip he engaged in the marble 
business, and remained thus occupied for two j'ears. 
Afterward he was apprenticed to learn the butcher 
business under .Joseph Steadens,in which capacitj^ 
he continued for three years. He then became a 
clerk in a grocery store at Glasgow, and for four 
years was in the employ of Stillman & Phipps. 

Just at that time great excitement was occa- 
sioned by the report of vast treasures to be found 
on Pike's Peak, and our subject was prepared to 
journey thither, but fortunately he heard of the 
disappointment of those who had gone and aban- 
doned the idea. He then engaged in business for 
one 3'ear. The desire to travel and investigate 
for himself induced him in 1860 to take a trip to 
Colorado. AVith two wagons and four mules he 
started overland alone, crossing the Missouri at St. 
Joseph, reaching the Platte at Ft. Kearney, and 
by way of Ft. Laramie arriving in Denver. The 
trip consumed six months, jnd oftentimes he was 
in close quarters with the Indians. From Denver 
he made his waj' to the mines of California Gulch, 
and thence to Frying-pan Gulch. At the latter place 
he did a thriving business as butcher for three 
months, and then went down the Arkansas Uiver, 
where he prospected and mined. It was necessar}^ 
to lie out all night wherever he happened to be 
at work, and to carry wood for fuel one-half mile. 
While the mines -were productive, the necessities 
were so expensive that he did not get much ahead, 
and the frost soon compelled him to stop work. 

During the winter our subject did some pros- 
pecting, and early in the spring he discovered a 
claim at the top of one of the mountains called 
Lost Canyon Mine. He went up on snowshoes 
and worked there until the middle of Jul}-, when 
the water failed. Then he worked at Cash Creek, 
where ho realized $200. Selling out, he proceeded 
to Montana, leaving Denver September 20, 1861, 
with two yoke of cattle and journeying to Vir- 
ginia Cit}', and thence to Bevius' Gulch, where he 
remained during the winter. In the spring he be- 
gan prospecting on the Yellowstone, and there he 
remained until Julv. While there he fell in with 



666 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



a tribe of Crow Indians, with whom he became 
friendly and remained all winter. Ilis were the 
first wagons thej' had ever seen. He and his fonr 
companions found the Indians disposed to be kind 
and helpful, notwithstanding their reputation for 
cruelty. 

Later, Mr. Baier went to Big Horn and Little 
Big Horn. Making his way far up on the divide, 
he could see where the streams of water which 
made fertile the valleys below formed on the top 
of Bald Mountains. Snow was on the ground, 
and the party made its way back to Virginia City 
almost starved. For a time our subject worked in 
the mines there, receiving $6 a day, and later was 
employed in a butcher shoj) for one month, receiv- 
ing $100 for his services. At Bevins' Gulch he 
opened a butcher shop and made %1,000 in six 
months, but the desertion of the mines caused a 
failure in trade. He then returned to Virginia 
City, where he bought out a claim for 13,000, and 
opening it with another man went to work. Often 
the outlook was very discouraging, but he perse- 
vered until his receipts amounted to 140,000, when 
he quit. 

At that tune there was great excitement farther 
noith, and with his partner our subject proceeded 
thither. They bought a claim for 1(3,000 but lost 
it and returned to the old place, bare-footed and 
ragged. They began to work in an old mine near 
Helena, and with the start there obtained went to 
Utah to speculate. There they bought stock, which 
they drove to Montana, but the business was not 
a success, as the}' bought too many head. Then 
the partners returned bj' coach to Colorado, which 
they reached with difficulty. After an absence of 
nearly twelve years our subject returned to Glas- 
gow in 1872. Many of his experiences in the 
West had been thrilling, and at one time he shot 
a grizzl}' bear. 

After locating again in Glasgow, Mr. Baier 
formed a partnership with William Meyers in the 
grocery business, which continued for four years. 
In 1876 he came to Salisbury. At that time the 
present city contained but one small butcher shop, 
and as the proprietor of this died soon afterward, 
our subject bought the business and has conducted 
it ever since. His capital then was ^800. In 1886 



he formed the partnership with Mr. Haysler which 
still continues. Twice he has been visited by fire, 
but now has a fine brick building 25x70, with out- 
buildi ngs for ice and storage. He is also the owner 
of eighty acres of well-improved land and is in- 
terested in farming. The firm raises and feeds 
cattle, and in this way secures the very choicest 
quality of beef. 

In 1891 our subject laid out the Baier & Hays- 
ler Addition to the city. This contains Ave acres 
and has been sold and built upon. He bought it 
for Ii300 and sold for *20,000. The marriage of 
Mr. Baier took place in Boonville, Mo., in 1873, 
to Miss Theresa rLa3'sler, who was a native of Sax- 
ony, and came with her brothers to Glasgow. Nine 
children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Baier, as 
follows: Minnie, now Mrs. Auspurger, of Salis- 
bury; Arnold, Edward, Ernest, Dorinda, Joseph, 
Jr., Leonard, Myrtie and Flossie (twins). Our 
subject was Treasurer of Salisbury for eight 3'ears, 
and was also Alderman for the same time, being 
one of the first Aldermen of the city. He was 
reared a Catholic, and is a whole-souled Christian 
gentleman. In his political opinions he is a Dem- 
ocrat. 



^^ 



^f^EV. KOBEKT JAMES MANSFIELD. If 
IW^ even the most uneventful of lives contains 
t4i \V, some lesson of instruction or some ray of 
comfort, which if known might lead an- 
other through some thorny way, or lift a burden 
from some toiling brother, how much more does 
the life of a man like the subject of this sketch 
throw light in manv directions. 

Robert James Mansfield, the beloved pastor of 
the Baptist Churches at Dalton, Brunswick, Prairie 
Valley and New Hope, was born in Orange Count}', 
Va.,near Ruckersville, April 8, 1823. The English 
ancestors of our subject belonged to the nobility 
of England, Lord Mansfield, an English peer, be- 
ing a relative. Grandfather Robert Mansfield was 
born in Virginia, of English parents. He was a 
planter in his native State, and served with dis- 
tinctiiin in the Revolutionary AVar, and at his 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



667 



death left a record behind him whirh causes his 
family to refer to him with pride. 

The father of our subject was named William H. 
Manslield and was born in Albemarle County, Va., 
where he became a planter. lie entered the War 
of 1812 and was in the engagement at Hampton 
Roads. In 1831 he determined to seek a new lo- 
cation in the hope of helping the family fortunes, 
and accordingly started for the Great West. 
"Westward the course of empire takes its way," 
we are told, and sui-ely Westward the tide of civ- 
ilization moved in 1831. John Quincy Adams 
was President of the United States, and we smile 
at the descriptions of the gaieties and conveniences 
of the life of that day in the Capitol City, as told 
in the records of the times, but these conveniences 
had not yet been introduced to the old Virginia 
planters, and when our subject's father sought to 
move to the Westward, the change was made in 
very primitive fashion, and with as much serious 
l)reparation as the modern traveler would make to 
take a journey to the interior of Africa. 

Two months were consumed in the trip, the 
party traveling with teams and wagons, but finally 
Missouri was reached and here Mr. Mansfield lo- 
cated in Randolph Count3% one riiile north of 
Roanoke, where he bought four hundred acres of 
land and engaged in farming. In Randolph 
County he departed this life after, attaining the 
great age of ninetj' 3'ears. For a long time he had 
ministered to the member.s of the Baptist faith, he 
having been one of the first preachers of that de- 
nomination in the State, and a truly good and 
holy man. The mother of our subject was in her 
girlhood Salina Eddins, and was born in Orange 
County, Ya., the daughter of Thomas Eddins, a 
planter of Virginia, who in 1831 came to Missouri 
and located in Howard County, live miles from 
Glasgow, where he lived, engaged in farming, un- 
til he was an old man. The motlier died at the 
age of eighty-seven. 

Our subject was one of ten children, three of 
whom are still living. He was reared until the ,nge 
of eight 3-ears in Virginia, his educational advan- 
tages being of a limited description. He remained 
at home until he was twenty years of age and 
taught school off and on all this time, the educa- 



tion necessary to do this having been almost alto- 
gether self-obtained. His was a studious and ser- 
ious turn of mind, and at as early an age as fifteen 
years he professed religion, being licensed to preach 
when he was onlj- seventeen years old; he, how- 
ever, did not engage regularly in preaching until 
he was forty-five years old. 

In 1844 our subject engaged as traveling sales- 
man for Dr. John Sappington, of Arrow Rock, Sa- 
line County, and for five years he traveled through 
Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin and 
Iowa, and became a well-known and favorite sales- 
man. June 6, 1849, he married Miss Lucy A. 
Maupin, who was born in Salisburj' Township, 
Chariton County. She was the daughter of Gab- 
riel Maupin, who was born in Albemarle County, 
Va., but was of French descent. He had followed 
the life of a planter, but in 1830 he came to this 
State and settled in Chariton County and became 
one of the most prosperous farmers of this section. 
Here he died at the age of sixty-four j'ears. 
Through life he had adhered to the principles of 
the Democratic part\'. 

The mother of Mrs. Mansfield was Virginia Bur- 
ton in her maidenhood, having been named for 
her native State. She was the daugjitcr of Will- 
iam Burton, also a Virginian, and well known as a 
soldier of the War of 1812. After the close of 
that struggle he moved to Missouri, where his 
wife, Sarah, died, aged ninety-four years. He lived 
to be over eighty. The mother belonged to the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and was the mother 
of eight children, of whom Mrs. Mansfield was the 
fourth. 

After his marriage, our subject continued to 
teach school and also became the owner of a farm 
of two hundred acres near Thomas Hill. Here his 
health gave out and to benefit it he took another 
trip to the Lakes and for four raontlis .again be- 
came the agent of Dr. Sappington. After his re- 
turn he taught school for a season and then en- 
gaged in mercantile business for four years at 
Thomas Hill. At the close of this period he returned 
to near Roanoke, where he located on a farm, and 
during 1860-61 was made Assessor for Randolph 
County. He would not take the iron-clad oath, 
and in consequence was turned out of office and 



668 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, 



forced into the State Militia, in which he seiverl 
six months. After this experience he continued 
farming until 1868, when he was ordained a minis- 
ter of the Baptist Church by the Roanoke Church 
of Ml. Pleasant. From this time forth he pro- 
ceeded to different places, wherever duty seemed 
to call him. The churches of Pleasant Hope and 
Thomas Hill called him to be their pastor, but at 
this time he had entered actively into mission 
work and so continued for fifteen years in the 
churches of Missouri. For ten years of this time he 
was connected with the Macon Countj' Associa- 
tion. Near Roanoke he owned a farm of one hun- 
dred and forty acres, which his sons managed. 

In 1881 Mr. Mansfield made a visit of five 
months to California and located near San Jose, 
preaching cverj' Sunday while there. After his 
return to Salisbury he re-entered mission work, at 
which he continued until 1891, when he became 
pastor of the four charges mentioned in the open- 
ing of this article. He is probably the oldest 
missionaiy connected with this association, and the 
amount of good he has done cannot be estimated. 
Untiring in zeal, self-sacrificing and earnest, he 
has left every place in which he has resided much 
better than he found it. lie has organized many 
churches, has encouraged the building of others 
and has been an example to the younger genera- 
lion. He has also performed a very great num- 
ber of marriage ceremonies during his ministerial 
work. It IS very interesting to hear the stories 
which this pleasant and entertaining man can re- 
late of the old times, and the experience of those 
da\s in the regions where duty called liim. His 
travels took him over the different States when 
civilization was not far advanced, and many and 
frequent were the difficulties encountered. In the 
sparsely settled regions every locality existed for 
and b3- itself, and to these he came as a visitor 
from another world, and was warmly welcomed 
and sheltered. 

Eight of the children of Mr. Mansfield grew to 
maturity. Charles C. is in the employ of the State 
at Jefferson City; Emma V. was a teacher for thir- 
teen years and married T. Henderson, of Salislnuy; 
Kate S. became Mrs. Ilite and died in California, 
leaving two (children; Tlieodosia is :it hdiiic; ^\'il- 



bur E. is a mechanic in Denver, Colo.; James O. is 
a farmer in Santa Clara Valley, Cal.; William S. is 
also in CaUfornia; and Robert T. is at home en- 
gaged at teaching. Mr. Mansfield is a member of 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is also 
a Master Mason. For years his name was on the 
Board of Trustees of the Ml. Pleasant College. In 
politics he is a believer and follower of the Demo- 
cracy. 

\^^^ROF. JOHN F. PRATT, Principal of the 

Jl) Salisbury Public Schools, is one of the 

•r^ prominent educators of Chariton County, 

I '\ and under his able management the schools 
of Salisbury have attained an excellence never be- 
fore attained in this city. Prof. Pratt is a native 
son of the soil, having been born in Linn County, 
near Linneus, March 4, 1860. His father, Henry 
Pratt, was born in Greenville, Greene County, 
Tenn. The grandfather, Jerre, was born in .Scot- 
land, and emigrated to Tennessee, where he was a 
planter and slave-holder until his death. Tlie 
father of our subject came to Missouri in his sev- 
enteenth }rear and located in Linn County, where 
he engaged in farming and stock-raising. He was 
a poor man at the time of his arrival here, but 
prosperity rewarded his industrious exertions. At 
the time of his death he was the owner of six 
hundred and fortj' acres of land, and was a 
wealthy and respected citizen. He was a Demo- 
crat in politics, and belonged to the old school of 
Southern gentlemen. Socially he was a prominent 
Mason, and in religion adhered to the faith of the 
Baptist Churcii. He died June .30, 1891, aged 
sixty-six years. 

The mother of our subject, Ibiline Connelly, 
was born in Shelby ville, Ky., and came with her 
parents to Missouri when twelve years old. Her 
father, John Rice Connelly, was born in Ken- 
tucky, of Scotch-Irish descent. He engaged in 
the War of 1812, and participated in the battle of 
New Orleans under Jackson. In 1844 he came to 
Howard Count3', and two years later removed to 
Linn County, where lie carried on f.arniing inirsuils 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



669 



and resided until his death, in 18(52. His wife, Ibil- 
ine (Basket) Connelly, was born October 19, 1800, 
in Shelbyville, Ky. Her mother, the great-grand- 
mother of our subject, was brought from Dublin 
to America on a sailing-vessel. The mother of 
our subject is still living and resides in Linueus, 
Linn County, Mo. 

Seven of the eliildren born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Pratt are yet living, as follows: J. A., who is a 
student in the Jlissouri Medical College; Alice, 
now Mrs. D. H. IManard, a resident of Meadville; 
William IL, Deputy Circuit Clerk of Linn County; 
John F., our subject; Arthur L., Circuit Clerk of 
Linn Countj'; Susan E., now Mrs. Thorne, who re- 
sides in Linneus, Linn County; and Oscar IL, who 
is still on the old home place. Our subject was 
reared on the farm, receiving his earlv education 
in the pioneer schools of that time, which were 
held in log houses. These same little, rude 
schoolhouses have been made famous by the pen 
and pencil of many celebrated men. The seats 
were invariably of home manufacture and the 
room was heated bj' a large fireplace at one end. 
Ventilation was good, as the large cracks in the 
walls admitted a free circulation of air. At one 
time Prof. Pratt taught school for a term in just 
such a sehoolliouse, and his mind often reverts to 
his difficulties in teaching with no books, or any 
of the modern appliances. 

At the age of nineteen, our subject engaged in 
teaching during the winter months and worked 
on the farm in summer. So successful vvas he in 
his methods of imparting instruction to the 
young that he was offered the school every winter 
until he was called to the city schools. He then 
taught in St. Clair, P'ranklin County, for one3'ear, 
and attended the Normal School at Kirksville at 
different times, graduating from that institution 
in 188(5, with the degree of B. S. D. His nest ap- 
pointment was in Utica, Livingston County, where 
he was Principal of the public schools for one 
year, but at the end of that time, in spite of the 
urgent request of the Board of Directors for him 
to remain, he went to Breckenridge, Caldwell 
County, on account of a larger salary being offered 
him. After remaining two years, he declined an 
appointment for the third year, and removed to 



Hamilton, the same county, where he took charge 
of the schools at a higher salary. He remained in 
Hamilton until 1891, when he received his present 
appointment, and is now serving his second j'ear 
as Principal of the Public Schools of Salisbury. 
Upon taking charge he regraded the schools, and 
now has the work thoroughly S3stematized. The 
High School is also graded. The ability of Prof. 
Pratt as an instructor has been recognized in the 
County Institute, where he was appointed a teacher. 
I'rof. Pratt's pleasant home, which he built on 
Third Street, is graced by the lady whom he mar- 
ried November 7, 1886. Miss Nora Larkins was 
born in Linn County, the daughter of John 
B. and Phrebe A. (Dewitt) Larkins, natives of Liv- 
erpool, Ohio, and Virginia, respectively. After the 
war, Mr. and Mrs. Larkins settled in North Salem, 
Linn County, where the former engaged in farm- 
ing and merchandising, but later removed to Kirks- 
ville and engaged in the nurserj* business. Mrs. 
Pratt has borne her husband two children, Carl 
and Leah. Prof. Pratt is a member of the Ma- 
sonic order, also the Chapter and the Com- 
mandery at Moberly, and the State Teachers' As- 
sociation. He is a stanch adherent of the doc- 
trines of the Baptist Church, in which he is Clerk. 
He is a prominent Democrat, and served as a 
delegate to the convention held in St. Louis in 
1886, which nominated Judge Brace. A well-in- 
formed and cultured gentleman, he thoroughly 
understands his chosen profession and devotes bis 
entire attention to it. 



J' JOHN H. HUME, physician, is cng.iged in 
practice in Chariton County, making his 
home in Brunswick, where he has been lo- 
I ' cated only since 1891, but has already been 
very successful in making friends and in securing 
a good share of patronage. He was born in Wash- 
ington County, Ind., November 28, 18,51. His 
father, John Hume, was of Scotch extraction, and 
on both sides of the family our subject can feel a 
just pride in recalling his ancestry. His mother, 



670 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



whose maiden name was Mary Campbell, was a 
descendant of the great Campbell clan of Scotland. 
In October, 1856, our subject's parents removed 
to Iowa, in which State they are still making their 
home, though both now quite advanced in years. 
They have three living children: Joseph. Elizabeth 
and our subject. 

Up to the age of sixteen years John II. Hume 
lived the uneventful life of the average youth, 
but then was placed by his parents at a seminarj' 
in Mitchellville, Iowa, where he pursued his 
studies until reaching his majority. This was a 
great improvement upon his earl}' school da3'S, 
when he was oftentimes obliged to walk three 
miles through deep snow and drenching storms in 
order to enjoy the scant privileges of the district 
school. On leaving the afore-mentioned Seminary 
our subject began his medical studies, putting in a 
part of his time in surveying and teaching. He 
studied in the office of Dr. Seems, an Iowa physi- 
cian of good local reputation and practice. After- 
ward Dr. Hume took a course of lectures at the 
College of Physicians and Surgeons in Keokuk, 
Iowa, and after completing two terms in that 
justly renowned medical college he returned home. 
In the following August he went to Reno, Cass 
County, Iowa, where he began his practice. A 
year later he returned to college and finished the 
required course, securing a diploma from his Alma 
Mater, on March 2, 1880, when he immediately 
resumed the practice of his jirofession at Reno. 

In that village the Doctor was united in wed- 
lock with Miss Mar}' E. Chidester, a Pennsylvania 
lady, who at the time was engaged in filling the 
position of Principal of the Reno schools. She 
was born in 1855, was reared at Union town in the 
Keystone State and came West to obtain a position 
as teacher. vShe became the wife of our subject, 
August 17, 1880, and is a lady of much culture, 
education and amialile qualities. The Doctor 
and wife have three children: Blanche, Ethel, and 
Lelah. 

Dr. Hume has been active in his profession, but 
as there is a streak of more business and financial 
ability in him than is usually found in professional 
men, he has a number of times sought to better 
his pecuniary position l)y a change in location. 



Therefore in following his history we find him at 
one time a sui'geon at a large mining camp, and 
again running a pharmacy at Laurel, Marshall 
County, Iowa, at which time he was also railroad 
physician. This practice and business he sold in 
1890, after a residence there of seven years. His 
health having been somewhat impaired, he believed 
it better to go further South, and therefore in 
1891 came to this portion of Missouri. He is a 
young man of more than ordinary ability and is 
rapidly working his way u|)ward in tlie practice 
of his ))rofession. 



UGH C. WARREN, Si;., is a retired mer- 
chant residing in Browning, Linn County. 
He is a native of East Tennessee, his birth 
having occurred June 15, 1810, in Blount 
County. His parents were William B. and Eliza- 
beth (Kennedy) Warren, the former a native of 
Virginia and a farmer by occupation, the latter 
born in Pennsylvania. Their family comprised 
four boys and five girls. The seven following are 
those living: Robert, William, James, Hugh, 
Nancy M., Minnie, and Eliza, who is married and 
resides on a farm in Linn County. 

When ten years of age Mr. Warren came with 
his parents to Missouri, settling in Howard County. 
He then engaged in farming until twenty-five 
years of age, at which time he commenced business 
on his own account. For sixteen years he fol- 
lowed agricultural pursuits in Sullivan County, 
selling his farm in 1851. He next engaged in 
merchandising at Scottsville, Sullivan County, 
Mo., continuing for sixteen years in that line of 
business. Both as a farmer and merchant he was 
very successful. He owns a farm of two hundred 
and eighty acres, which is well improved and for 
which he could easily obtain $30 an acre at the 
present time. At the time of his purchase this 
property cost him but 17 per acre and its increase 
in value is almost wholly owing to the improve- 
ments he has placed upon it. 

In 1836 Mr. Warren was married to Jliss 'Slin- 
erva Morris, of Howard County, and of their 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



671 



union were born six sons who are all engaged in 
farming. They are: Thomas B., James Jackson, 
William (I., Presly, Robert H., and II. C. The 
wife and mother was called from tliis life, and Mr. 
AV"arren was again married, in 1867, this lime to 
Jliss Arminta Darmer, of Canton, Fulton Count}', 
111. 

IJolli ;\Ir. and Mva. Warren are members of the 
Baptist Church in Browning and the former holds 
membership with Fairview Lodge !No. 427, A. F. & 
A. M., of Scottsville, Mo. He is affiliated with 
the Democratic party, having cast his first Presi- 
dential ballot for Gen. Andrew Jackson. He is a 
worth}' citizen and one highly thought of by his 
many friends and neighbors, and is numbered 
among the worthy early pioneers, having done 
much to forward the best interests and develop 
the counties in which he has made his home. He 
has been a witness of vast changes in this portion 
of the State and can well remember when the 
country was sparsely settled and little better than 
a wilderness. By the process of time all this has 
been transformed until Missouri ranks among the 
leading Western States. 



ylLLIAM WATSOIs is a well-known minis- 
ter of the Methodist Episcopal Church at 
Browning, Linn County. He is a native 
of the Blue Grass Region, his birth having oc- 
curred August 10, 1835. His father, Henry AVat- 
son, also a native of Kentucky, was married in that 
State to Lovina Harmon. To them were born ten 
children: James is a bridge-keeper at Sherburne, 
Ivy.; William is the next in order of birth; Daniel 
is a farmer of Fleming County, Ky.; Samuel and 
Dawson are the fourth and fifth sons; Charles is 
a railroad man; Minerva, and Matilda, who mar- 
George Rice, a farmer in Fleming Country, com- 
plete the family. Two of the children are de- 
ceased. These brothers and sisters are all married, 
having comfortable homes, and are doing well. 

Mr. Watson left his native State in his twenty- 
first year, liaving passed his b()3'hood on a farm, 
and continued to follow agricultmal pursuits un- 



til the late war. He enlisted as a member of the 
Fifty-fourth Illinois Infantr}- in Piatt County, 
111., and was in active service for two years. He 
took part in the siege af Yicksburg and was lion- 
orably discharged from the armj' in Hiekorytown, 
Ark., April 16, 1865, after which he took up stud- 
ies preparatory to entering the ministry. He has 
been twice married, his first union being celebrated 
in 1856 with Miss Margaret Fuqua, who was also 
born in Kentucky; she became the mother of five 
children. One son, G. W., is engaged in the rail- 
road business; F. Fai-rell is located in Indiana, and 
the other living son is William. Our subject's 
second wife was formerly Miss Ella Wright, a na- 
tive of Hendricks County, Ind. 

For about a quarter of a century Mr. Watson 
has been an active worker as a minister in the 
Methodist Itipiscopal Church and has endeavored 
most conscientiously to discharge the duties inci- 
dent to that important position and in a manner 
befitting a servant of the Master. He has made the 
Golden Rule his motto through life and by fol- 
lowing this and the other teaching of the Good 
Book, has succeeded in doing a world of good to 
his fellow-men. His personal life has been above 
reproach, being like an open book, to be seen and 
read of all men. Mr. Watson is a member of the 
Grand Army of the Republic, and also belongs to 
the Independent Order of Redmen, of Hudsou- 
ville, 111. In political faith he is a supporter of 
and believer in the principles of the Democratic 
platform. 



RS. F. A. SHANNON. The day of weak 
|, and incompetent womanhood has gone by. 
The woman of the present is an important 
factor in every walk of life, and while she 
still is the gracious reigning mistress of the home, 
she has shown that when necessity demands other 
service she is able to cope with her brother in al- 
most every vocation. The true woman of to-day 
has an independence which is not boldness, a mod- 
esty which is not prudery, and a dignity which is 
far removed from pride. She has mental strength 



672 



yOETRAIT AND BIOGRAPmCAL RECORD. 



too, which need not be masculine to enable her to 
carve out a fortune for herself and often for those 
depending upon her. Such a woman is the subject 
of this sketch. She was born in Racine, Wis., in 
1845, a daughter of E. B. and S. A. Richardson, 
the father a native of Vermont and the mother of 
the State of New York. The grandmother was in 
maidenhood Lydia A. Sweat, a native of Vermont. 

Our subject was educated in the common schools 
of Wisconsin, completing her education in Bloora- 
iiigton, 111., following which she taught school in 
Wisconsin. After coming to Missouri in 1866, 
she also engaged in teaching in this State. At 
'this time the family settled in Salisbury, which 
town was then in its infancy, and here our subject 
spent two j'ears, teaching both in public and pri- 
vate schools. Mrs. Shannon was one of nine chil- 
dren, seven of whom are living. Ira A., born in 
Wisconsin, married Miss Mary J. Darling and they 
reside on the old Wisconsin homestead; Egbert 
died; Herbert married Miss Nettie McGee; Eli A. 
married Miss Allie Gilfillan and resides in Wis- 
consin; Eugene married Miss Orphia Shane and 
resides in Wisconsin; Lovila married Lewis Gil- 
flUan and resides in Wisconsin; Rosetta L. lives in 
Wisconsin; and Eva, who married Frank Bell, is 
dead. • 

Our subject married Vasco II. Cram, a native of 
Vermont, in 1865, in the State of Wisconsin, and 
four children were born of this union, as follows: 
E. R., who was born in Salisbury, Mo., in 1869, re- 
sides in Shannondale; F. Maud, born in Shannon- 
dale in 1877, resides at liorae; Mabel A., born in Mis- 
souri in 1878; and one child who died young. In 
1875 our subject and her family removed to Shan- 
nondale, where they engaged in the mercantile 
business, she taking charge after the death of Mr. 
Cram, whicli occurred in 1878. In connection 
with the store they had also charge of the post- 
office and the management of the express office. 
At her husband's death our subject was left with 
a b.abe of three weeks, and soon found that she 
had too many cares. Closing out her business 
there she went to Salisbury and again resumed 
teaching. 

For five years our subject continued in licr posi- 
tion as teacher of the grammar school, and iiere 



she met and married Mr. Shannon, in 1883. For 
the following three years Mr. and Mrs. Shannon 
remained here, then removed to Shannondale, to a 
farm. This is a magnificent piece of land, con- 
sisting of four hundred acres, upon which there 
has been erected a fine modern residence of thir- 
teen rooms, which, with the improvements, cost 
$5,000. The land has a valuation of $60 per 
acre. Besides this fine farm, Mrs. Shannon owns 
three bouses in the town of Salisbury. She is a 
member of the Presbyterian Church of Salisbury, 
to which she has long been a most liberal contrib- 
utor, and has taken a deep interest in the Sunda}-- 
school, being its competent Secretary, which posi- 
tion she held for five years. Tiiere is no person 
in Chariton County who is held in higher esteem 
than Mrs. Shannon. 



<^ I^ILLIAM B. PALMER, one of the real live 
\/\ii businessmen of the city of Salisbury, Mo., 
^^^ is the subject of this notice. He is the 
owner of the largest livery barns in the city and is 
a man well known as responsible, obliging and pleas- 
ant. The birth of our subject took place near Troy, 
Lincoln County, Mo., October 17, 1866. He is the 
son of George A. Palmer, a native of Lincoln 
County, who was the son of Burton Palmer, a na- 
tive of Kentuck3% and was but a child when he 
came to Missouri with his parents. The great- 
grandfather of our subject was named William, and 
was born in Kentucky, where he followed the occu- 
pation of farming. He located near Troy, in Lin- 
coln County, and there had a large farm. The 
grandfather was a farmer and large land-owner and 
died in 1852. 

Our subject's father was reared in Missouri and 
educated in Troy. In 1849, when eighteen years 
of age, he went across the plains overland with 
stock, in connection with the Crow brothers, start- 
ing with fifteen hundred head of cattle but losing 
six hundred of them on the wa^'. After reaching 
California, George Palmer was employed on a 
ranch and was engaged in teaming in California, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



673 



in the San Joaquin Valley, but in 1854 he returned 
to Missouri via the Isthmus of Panama. The 
next year his father died and he look charge of 
, tiie farm of one hundred and sixt}' acres and op- 
erated it, and in 1871 he removed to Montgomery 
Count\-, Mo. 

Here George Palmer bought about twelve hun- 
dred acres of land and this ho has divided up into 
farms for his children. Six hundred and forty 
acres of the place he has retained and he operates 
this himself. In his political views he is a Demo- 
crat, as firm in his belief as an}' good Missourian 
can be. He is a good man and a member of the 
Christian Church. The mother of our subject was 
Maggie (Gilmore) Palmer, a native of Missouri, 
born in Lincoln Count)', to which county her 
grandfather, .John Gilmore, came at an earlj' day, 
and where he followed farming as a pursuit. His 
father was a native of Ireland. Grandfather Gil- 
more was in the Civil War under Gen. Price, was 
wounded and taken prisoner and died in prison. 
The mother of Mr. Palmer died in December, 1887, 
having reared five children, three boys and two 
girls, and our subject was the eldest son and third 
eldest child in the family. 

From the age of five years, Mr. Palmer was 
reared in Montgomery County on tlie farm, and 
remained in the public schools until fifteen, when 
he finished his education in the Montgomery High 
School. He remained at home until he was twenty- 
one years old, then began life himself by becoming 
the possessor of one hundred and sixty acres of 
land four miles east of Montgomery City. This 
he operated for one year and then rented it and 
made a trip to California. In that State he spent 
a year near Modesto, and after enjoying a year of 
travel returned to Montgomery County. Here he 
farmed for two years, but in February, 1891, he 
rented the place and moved into Salisbury to en- 
gage in the hardware business, forming a partner- 
ship under the firm name of Luck Bros, cfe Palmei'. 
This partnership continued for six months, when 
our subject took Mr. Chapman as a partner and 
went into the livery business. After four months, 
however, this partnership was also dissolved and 
Mr. Palmer bought Mr. Ciiaiunan's interest .and 
continued for about two inoiitlis alone. At the 



end of this time he sold one-half of the lively in- ' 
terest to a Mr. Evans for a one-half interest in a 
farm of two hundred acres, seven and one-half 
miles southeast of Salisbury. The firm name of 
the livery has been Palmer & Evans ever since, 
and they rent the farm, which is well improved 
and stocked. 

The livery barn occupied by Palmer it Evans 
is located on Second Street, occupying 120x50 
feet. They have .some fine livery horses, among 
which we ma)' mention two especially so: "Owas 
Bell Boy," a sorrel four-j-ear-old stallion, stand- 
ard bred, by "Messenger Gold Dust," and "Owas 
Cocoanut B03'," a four-year-old thoroughbred stall- 
ion by "Cocoanut," dam "Logan" by "Way- 
son." Besides these well-known and valuable 
stallions, Mr. Palmer owns a number of fine livery 
and saddle horses and engages in breaking horses, 
at which he has been very successful. He is a 
stockholder in the People's Bank and is socially 
a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the 
Salisbury Democratic Club. From the last remark, 
it is probably not necessary to add that our sub- 
ject is an out-and-out Democrat. The religious 
denomination that claims Mr. Palmer is the Chris- 
tian Church, in which he is highh' regarded. He 
belongs to the younger element of Salisbury, 
and if all the j'oung men of the cit}- possessed 
the energy and vim of our subject it would not 
be possible to predict the extent of the future 
growth of the charming little citj'. 

^K L EMMERICH, one of the wealthy and 
iLJi successful merchants of the little cit}' of 
Salisbury, has the honor of being the 
Treasurer of the Best Hit Tobacco Works. 
Secretary and Director of the Salisbury Opera 
House, and Secretary of the Salisbury Iceberg Park 
Compaii)'. He was born near Mascoutah, St. Clair 
County, 111., May 22. 1859. His father, C. L. Em- 
merich, was a native of Germany, and remained in 
his native land up to the age of twenty-one, dur- 
ing which time he learned the trade of a shoe- 
maker, lipoii reaching maturity he resolved to 



674 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



seek his fortune across the great ocean, in pursu- 
ance of which resolution he embarlced from his 
native land and arrived in the new country after 
a safe voyage. His first location was in St. Louis, 
where he worked at his trade, but he later pur- 
chased a farm of one hundred acres in Shiloh Val- 
ley Township, which he operated for fourteen 
years. 

Mr. Emmerich served as one of the County 
Commissioners for years and also served as County 
Judge. From this last ofKce he acquired the title 
of "Judge," bj' which he was known throughout 
the entire county thereafter. This good man died 
in 1888, at the age of seventy-three years. 
Throughout his entire life he had been a stanch 
Republican and served his party upon all occa- 
sions. The mother of our subject, Annie Emmer- 
ich, was born in Germans', and died in Illinois in 
1878, aged sixty-four years. She bore her husband 
ten children, seven of whom grew to maturity and 
are still living, and of these our subject is tlie sec- 
ond youngest. 

Our subject was reared on the farm, and, like 
man}' other farmer lads, received his education at 
the common district school, but he had the addi- 
tional advantage of two years' attendance at the 
Southern Illinois Normal, at Carbondale, which he 
entered at the age of twenty-one. After leaving 
the Normal he entered the Jacksonville Business 
College, from which he graduated in 1881, and the 
following year, in .January, 1882, he came to Salis- 
bury, where a brother and sister were living. Here 
he bought out Mr. Wood Terrell's general merchan- 
dise business, on the corner of Second Street and 
Broadway, and continued the business until 188.5, 
when he built a fine brick store, two stories high 
and 2:5x70 feet in dimensions, in which he carried 
on business until 1892, wlien he rented the build- 
ing which he had erected on Broadway and Second 
Street and built his present brick building on Second 
Street,in which he is now carrying on a general mer- 
chandise business, commanding the best trade of the 
city. Me also built a new residence on Broadway, 
which is surrounded by extensive grounds. 

Our subject was active in the building of the 
Oliera House, a fine structui-e. 70x100 feet in di- 
mensions and capable of seating twelve humlrcil 



persons. A nice stage, with all modern improve- 
ments, makes this one of the best buildiugs of its 
kind in the county. The cost of this structure 
was 18,500, and Mr. Emmerich was the efiicient 
manager of it for some time and now is Secretary 
and Director of the company. He was also one of 
the organizers and Vice-president of the Iceberg 
Park Company, of which he is now Secretary and 
Director. The capital stock of this association is 
$2,150. Our subject is one of the stockholders in 
the Salisbury Building Association, in which he is 
largely interested. In political matters, Mr. Em- 
merich is a stanch supporter of the principles and 
doctrines of the Republican part3% as was his 
father before him. 

The marriage of our subject occurred in Mas- 
coutah. 111., in May, 1882, when he espoused Miss 
Mary E. Erhardt, a native of that city and a 
daughter of Mr. Erhardt, a gentleman engaged in 
the ice business in Mascoutah. Two children 
a son, Charles C, and an infant daughter, Mary A., 
have been born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Em- 
merich. Mr. Emmerich, although a young man, 
has been very successful in his business and has 
won the esteem of his fellow-citizens by his hon- 
esty and straightforwardness in all his dealings. 



--^^l 



SA GUNN. The charm of a pleasant home 
and the possession of a valuable farm truly 
(Si should place a man in a condition of con- 
'^fl tinuous content, and our subject, who is 

the possessor of both, no doubt feels this. He re- 
sides on section 31, township 54, range 16, Charl- 
ton County, Mo., his post-ottice being at Salisbury. 
He was born in 1820 in North Carolina, where his 
father also was born. Thomas and Anna (Mont- 
gomery) Gunn were his parents. Sterling Gunn be- 
ing his paternal, and Michael Montgomery his ma- 
ternal, grandfather. Grandfather Gunn was a 
Revolutionary soldier and a very worthy man. 
Our subject is one of a family of fourteen children, 
seven boys and as man}' girls, six of them living. 

Asa(iiinn was married in Missouri, in 1846, to 
C(jrnelia Kitchen, a native of North Carolina, who 






z 





PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPmCAL RECORD. 



677 



bore him seven children, as follows: Mary E.,wife 
of a ]Mr. Oglesby, living in Missouri; II. C, who 
died at the age of twenty-one; T. J., who married 
a Miss Potts, who died in Oregon; J. W., living 
in Chariton County; Moses, who married Mrs. E. 
A. Adams and is living in Chariton County; 
Squire, who died at the home of his father; and A. 
J., living at home. All of the children were born 
in Missouri. Our subject received the benefits of 
instruction in the common schools of Randolph 
County, Mo., until he was twenty-one, when he 
engaged in farming upon his father's farm. The 
first piece of land lie purchased was one hundred 
and sixty acres, for which he paid $500, and 
which he afterward sold. 

Mr. Guun removed to Chariton County in 1847 
and bought another one hundred and sixty acres, 
for which he paid ^600, this being partially im- 
proved. To this he added one hundred and sixty 
acres more, for wliich he paid $200. A portion of 
this he afterward disposed of; so that he now has 
two hundred and twenty-seven and one-half acres 
in all. Underlying this land, upon which no bet- 
ter corn and wheat are grown in Missouri, is a 
vein of coal of very superior qualit}-. 

Politically Jlr. Gunn is a Democrat, and while in 
no sense an office-seeker or politician he is deeply 
interested in public affairs. He believes in popu- 
lar education and has served on the School Board. 
A good neighbor and a kind friend, lie has the 
respect and confidence of all who know him. 



ARSHALL W. CRATON, A. B., M. D. 

There are few professions that make a 
ill ^ greater draft upon the mental, physical 

and moral constitution of a man than 
does that of medicine, and lie who is equal to the 
arduous and urgent calls upon these various parts 
of his nature must be indeed a verj' superior man. 
One of the leading physicians of CarroUton, and 
probably the one having the largest practice in 
the city, is the gentleman whose name appears 
above. lie is a native of North Carolina, having 
been \»>vu in I\utherfordlon, .luly 11, 185(1. 



Our subject is the son of Dr. John M. Craton and 
a grandson of Isaac Craton, who was of Irish descent. 
Dr. John Craton received his diploma as an M. D. 
in the Charleston Medical College and for many 
years has been the leading pliysician in Ruther- 
fordton. At the age of sixty-nine -years he still 
enjoys good health and is devoted to his chosen 
profession. Ilis wife, our subject's mother, whose 
maiden name was Margaret Williams, was born in 
Syracuse, N. Y., of Scotch descent and was a daugh- 
ter of Dr. INIather Williams. Her motlier was a 
daughter of Judge Fornian, well known as one of 
the founders of the city of Syracuse and also one 
of the first projectors of the Erie Canal. Judge 
Forman's wife was the daughter of Boyd Alex- 
ander, of Glasgow, Scotland, a member of Parlia- 
ment. 

The nine children in the Craton family are all 
living, and of these our subject is the fourth in 
order of birth. Reared in his native town, at the 
age of fifteen he entered the preparatory department 
of Wofford College. He later entered the college 
in the beautiful South Carolina town of Spartan- 
burgh, which lies just at the foot hills of the 
Piedmont range of mountains. From this institu- 
tion he was graduated in 1876 with the degree of 
Bachelor of Arts. 

After finishing his college course. Dr. Craton 
spent a year on a farm, and then entered a drug 
store, where he began the study of medicine. In 
1879 he entered the medical department of the 
University of New York, from which he was gradu- 
ated in 1882 with the degree of Doctor of Medi- 
cine. After completing his studies in the metrop- 
olis he returned to his native place and practiced 
there for two years. He then went to Munford ville, 
Ky., where he practiced for two ^-ears. 

December 18, 1884, our subject was married in 
Munfordville to Miss Maiy Belle Smith, a native 
of that place, who was graduated from Franklin 
Female College. The year after their marriage 
they came to Missouri and settled in CarnUlton, 
where the Doctor formed a partnership with E. A. 
Wagner, at that time the leading physician of the 
city. This partnership continued for one year, 
when they took separate offices. Dr. Craton now 
enjoys undoubtedly the largest practice in the city. 



34 



678 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD. 



He is a skilled surgeon and a sympathetic physi- 
cian. Doctor and Mrs. Craton have a very pleasant 
residence on North Main Street, which was erected 
under their personal supervision. The family in- 
cludes one daughter, whose name is Mabel Dixon. 
In religious work they are associated with the 
Methodist Episcopal Church South. In politics 
the Doctor is a Democrat. He belongs to the 
Grand River District of the Medical Association, 
the County Medical Society, and is also a mem- 
ber of the Board of Health of Carrollton. The 
Doctor's office is located on Folger Street, opposite 
the Florence Hotel. 



-1^ 



^1* 



^^^LEXANDER R. CAWTHRON. It is a 
(mll\\\ pleasure to trace the history of the early 
l^ioneers of anj' community, who have 
persevered through trials and hardships 
and at last reached the point where they could 
enjoy the wealth and prosperity so richly earned. 
Such a man was Asa W. Cawthron, the father of 
the subject of this sketch. The family is of 
Scotch-Irish extraction, and the first member of 
it to come to America located in Virginia, where 
Asa W. Cawthron was born on the 1st of Januarj', 
1796. After the removal of tiie family to Ken- 
tucky they resided in Clark and Madison Counties; 
and while on Blue Grass soil Asa W. married Eliza 
Canote, daughter of Amos Canote, a Pennsylvan- 
ian of German descent, but at that time a resident 
of Clark County, Ky. He eventually passed from 
life in Howard County, Mo. 

In addition to learning the art of farnung, Asa 
W. Cawthron also learned the trade of wheel- 
wright, and, as stated in the sketch of J. E. M. 
Triplett, he was in the "War of 1812. After resid- 
ing for some time in Howard County, Mo., whither 
be moved in 1825, he purchased land four miles 
east of Carrollton, on which he resided until his 
death in 1881. The surviving members of his 
family are: Nancy, Mrs. Triplett; Harriet, Mrs. 
Smart; and Alexander K., the youngest of the 
family. 

Alexander K. Cawthron is a prudvict of Howard 



County, Mo., his birth occurring October 18, 1838, 
after whicii he was taken to Livingston County 
by his parents. When in his ninth year, he moved 
to Carroll County with them, and here he attended 
the common schools during the winter months, also 
the subscrii)tion schools, which were in vogue at 
that time, his summers being devoted to tilling 
the soil. He continued to make his home with his 
parents until he attained his majority, and at the 
age of twenty-three years was married to Miss 
Emily E. Quisenberry, daughter of H. H. Quisen- 
berry. From this time until the spring of 1863, 
he worked on land belonging to his father. He 
then rented a Missouri River Bottom farm in the 
vicinitj^ of Buflington's Landing, but after a very 
short time returned to his father's farm. In the 
spring of 1864, he rented a farm one-half mile 
north of his old home. The following fall he 
proceeded to Mt. Sterling, 111., only to again re- 
turn to Missouri in October, 186.5, taking up his 
residence in Chariton County on the 18th of that 
month. 

At the opening of the Civil War our subject 
joined a cavalry company under Col. Robertson, 
but while on the way to join Gen. Price he nar- 
rowly escaped capture by the Federals and was 
only saved by being out with a scouting party. 
He succeeded in making his way to Buflington's 
Landing, in the vicinity of which place he stopped 
at a house for breakfast. While it was being pre- 
pared he glanced through the window and saA- 
some Federal cavalry coming. He at once left the 
house and took refuge in some tall weeds, while 
the Federals went in and devoured the breakfast 
that had been prepared for him. After about two 
hours they went away, when Mr. Cawthron came 
from his place of concealment. He was at one time 
arrested by Union soldiers and was kept in captiv- 
ity on the Missouri River Bottom until it was 
found that he had the measles, when he was re- 
leased and returned home, where he was at death's 
door for some time from the effects of exposure 
while that disease was in progress. 

Upon his return to Missouri from Illinois in 
the fall of 186.5, he rented a farm of Philip Hooper 
for two years at $400 per 3'ear, at the end of 
which time he moved on the Gaudy farm, a year 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, 



679 



later purohasing forty acres of land near that 
place. In 1871, he came to Triplett, purchased a 
lot and erected thereon a house. The succeeding 
five years were spent as a fisherman on the firand 
River, and during this time he employed a man to 
assist him. He used nets of various kinds, hauling 
his fish in wagons to different towns throughout 
the country, but when the Wabash Railroad was 
built, he began shipping by rail as well as by 
wagon. He has sold as high as $75 worth of fish 
a day, and in this manner obtained a start. 
After a time he spent one year in buying cattle, 
then opened a dr\'-goods and grocery store in 
Triplett, and after successfully conducting this es- 
tablishment for about two years, he sold out and 
once more began dealing in cattle, in which bus- 
iness his profits were ver}' large. From 1880 
to 1883, he not only bought stock but also dealt 
in grain. At the last-mentioned date he be- 
gan purchasing mule colts and raising them for 
the market. At the end of two years he sold his 
house and lot and removed to two acres of land 
which he had purchased some time previously, and 
on which he is now living. For this he paid $50 per 
acre, and later he purcliased sixteen acres adjoining. 
In November, 1880, he made a purcliase of one hun- 
dred and sixty acres of land adjoining his other 
property and several houses and lots in Triplett. 
His land is all in grass and is devoted to his stock, 
which lie has found to be a very profitable and 
satisfactory business, and he has an immense barn, 
capable of holding one hundred mules. He has at 
various times made additional purchases of land, 
and is now the owner of five hundred and sixty- 
one acres in Chariton County (less one hundred 
and twenty-seven and one-half acres which he sold 
February 1, 1893, at $40 per acre) the farthest be- 
ing three and a-half miles from Triplett. All his 
land which is under cultivation he rents out. 

Mr. Cawthron's children arc: Lclia C, wife of J. 
A. Smith, of Triplett; Mary E., widow of Dr. 
Arthur J. Norvell, of Slater, Mo., by whom she has 
one child, a daughter, named Arthur Leah Norvell; 
Arthur H., who is in Colorado; and Nannie R., who 
is at home attending school. Lelia C. attended 
the Cliristian University, of Canton, Mo.; Mar}' 
E. lins attended IJardin Collesre. of Mexico, 



Mo., and is a school teacher of this section; 
Arthur is a graduate of the Gem City Business 
College, of Quincy, 111. Mr. Cawthron is a member 
of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and 
the Knights of Honor, and for the past three years 
has been an active worker in the Democratic party, 
the principles of which he has always upheld. He 
is a stockholder and Vice-president of the Farm- 
ers' Bank of Triplett, and what he has in the way 
of worldly goods is the result of his own good 
management and undeviating industry. He is an 
expert marksman, and is an A 1 shot with the 
rifle. His career thus far in life has been an hon- 
orable and prosperous one and without doubt will 
continue to remain so. 

Mrs. Cawthron's family came from Virginia, in 
which State her father, Richard H. Quisenberrj^, was 
born. After the death of his father he came with 
his mother to Saline County, Mo., where her 
career was closed. He now resides five miles east 
of Carrollton. He was married in Missouri to Miss 
Constantia Monroe, a Kentuckian. who died when 
Mrs. Cawthron was about six j'ears of age. Mr. 
Quisenberry was one of the gold-seekers of 1849, 
and upon his return home bought land near his 
present pl.aoe of residence. He has been a success- 
ful farmer, and although nearly seventy-five years 
of age is still active. His second wife was a sister 
of Mr. Cawthron. His first union resulted in the 
following children: JIary E., who died at the age 
of about twenty j'ears; Emily E., Mrs. Cawthron; 
Arthur, in the stock commission business in Kansas 
City; and Leonidas, deceased, who was a lawyer of 
Carrollton. To his second union were given: An- 
nie, wife of J. Kinniard; Thomas, Mattie, Jennie 
(deceased), George, Edward and Fredonia. 



eHARLES H. BRANHAM, the enterprising 
and popular young shipper and stock-buyer, 
now a leading citizen of Orrick, Ray 
County, Mo., although \'Oung in years has enjoyed 
an extended and practical business experience and 
has already prosperously won his way up to as- 
sured success. Our subject is a native of the State 



680 



PORTRAIT AND BlOGRAPmCAL RECORD. 



and was born in Hannibal July 1, 1860. His 
father, Henry F. Brauham, a carpenter by trade, 
was a successful and well-known contractor and 
builder of Paris, Mo., there residing for sixty-one 
years, but be now lives with his son AVilliam in 
]Madison,Mo. Father Branhaiu was born in Washing- 
ton County, Ky., November 6, 1824. The mother 
was Miss Eliza Buchanan, born in Illinois in 1832. 
She lived to become the mother of twelve children 
aud passed away in Madison, Mo., in 1884. Ten 
sons and two daughters comprised the family, and 
of the brothers and sisters nine are yet surviving. 

Mrs. Branham's father, .S3'lvesler Buchanan, 
was the first white settler of Hannibal and estab- 
lished the first steamboat landing at that place. 
He was a man of executive ability and literary at- 
tainments and edited and printed the first news- 
paper ever publislied in the citj'. His three sons 
fitted themselves for steamboat pilots and are yet 
in that service. Our subject received the advant- 
age of a good education and since attaining his 
majority has been successfully engaged in business 
for himself. When twenty-one j'ears of age he 
went to Macomb, 111., and ran a sawmill and 
threshing-macliiue for six years. At the expira- 
tion of this period of time lie went to Chama, N. 
M., and remained there one yeai-. His farm of 
one hundred and sixty acres in Mahaska, Kan., 
next claimed liis attention for two j'ears, and he 
then accepted a situation in Kansas City, working 
in Swift's Packing Company as chief of their fire 
department. Two years later he came to Orrick, 
where he has since successfully engaged in his 
present profitable occupation. 

Upon the 3rd of November, 181*2, occurred 
the marriage of Charles II. Branham and Miss 
Laura L. lilytlie. Mrs. Branham was one of the 
most popular .young ladies of Ray County, and 
tlie young couple, both social favorites, received 
the best wishes and hearty congratulations of a 
host of friends. William R. Blythe, the father-in- 
law of our subject, was born in Tennessee, July 
18, 1803, and was educated in his native State. 
He came to Ray County when twenty years of age, 
but after a time returned again to Tennessee, and 
it was not until 1826 tiiat he entered land, a part 
of the present lionieslead, and became a permanent 



settler of Missouri. A genuine pioneer, he exper- 
ienced the privations and hardships incidental to 
life upon the frontier, but was later rewarded by 
financial prosperity, and at his death owned over 
thirteen hundred acres of valuable land, upon 
which he had erected a handsome and commodi- 
ous residence and substantial barns and outbuild- 
ings. The fine homestead, well watered, neatly 
fenced and kept in thorough order, was one of the 
most attractive pieces of farming property within 
the borders of the State. 

Mr. Blythe was first married to Miss Diadaina 
Fletcher, daughter of David and Rebecca Fletcher, 
of Indiana. This worthy lad}^ was born June !), 
1811, aud was the mother of five children, of 
whom but two survive: Thomas, and Rebecca J., 
the wife of C. W. Stokes, who now lives near the 
old homestead. Mrs. Diadama (Fletcher) Blythe 
died November 3, 1845. January 5, 1848, Mr. 
Blythe married Miss Leannah Riffe, daughter of 
Jolni and Polly A. Riffe, natives of Kentucky. Mrs. 
Blythe was born in Casey County Kj'., in Febru- 
ary, 1823. The nine children of this second union 
were: John L., born July 29, 1849, and now a 
prominent business man of Orrick: James W., born 
September 1, 18.50, killed by a runaway team, 
April 14, 1880; an infant born in September, 
18.53, and who died in October of the same year; 
Elizabeth A., born on the 10th of October, 1854, 
wife of C. K. Kirkham, a prosperous farmer of 
Ray County; Robert D., born June 2, 1857; 
Franklin R., born September 1, 1859, died August 
8, 1860; Sarah E., born May 16, 1863; Martha 11., 
born December 8, 1865; and Laura L., born April 25, 
1869, the wife of our subject and the youngest of 
the large family. Mr. Blylhe represented Ray 
County in tlie (General Assembly from 1840 to 
1842, and was State Senator from 1842 to 1846, 
discharging the duties of each position with abil- 
ity, honor and fidelity to his constituents and the 
general pulilic. 

Mr. Blythe also served with distinction in the 
Black Hawk War and was First Lieutenant in 
Capt. Clark's Companj'. From a friendless boj', 
poor and unknown, he rose to honor and high 
usefulness and became a prominent and wealthy 
man and leading citizen, leaving at his death a 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



681 



large estate of worldly goods and bequeathing to 
his children also the remembrance of his successful 
career, untarnished by dishonest word or deed. 
His valiialile iiroi)erty, personal and real, has been 
divided among the various heirs, tlie widow re- 
taining tiie old homestead, wiiere she still resides, 
and wliicli isliallowed to her as the place where her 
liusband lived and died. Mrs. Branham, a most 
agreeable and cultured lady, and possessed of a 
high order of ability, is a true home companion 
and yet a leader in the social circles of her locality, 
where she is universally beloved and highly es- 
teemed. Mr. Branham is a progressive man of 
to-da3' and, politically a Democrat, is an enthus- 
iastic supporter of the party. In all matters of 
public progress and reform he is ever ready to do 
his part and is a genuine representative American 
citizen, patriotic, earnest and self-reliant. 



THOMAS S. KITCHEN, one of the most pros- 
perous farmers of Chariton County, Mo., 
resides in great comfort upon his fine farm 
of five hundred acres, located on section .30, town- 
ship 54, range 16. During his life he has seen 
many States, and has lived in various widel}' sep- 
arated parts of the country; but when he came to 
found a home in which to p.ass his declining years, 
the State of Missouri and the county of Chariton 
were selected as the most desirable places of them 
all. 

Our sul)ject was born in North Carolina in 1817, 
a son of Moses and Polly Kitchen, who were also 
North Carolinians. The paternal grandfather of 
our subject, Thomas S. Kitchen, followed the trade 
of blacksmith in his native State, where the grand- 
father on the maternal side, Thomas Stepliens, also 
lived. The latter was one of the soldiers of the 
Revolutionary War, and the father took part in 
the AVar of 1812, receiving a grant of land in Linn 
Count}', Mo., for his services. 

Our subject is one in a familj' of eleven children, 
three of whom are yet living beside our subject. 
These are: Sallie C, Itorn in North Carolina in 



1827, and married to William Puflett; Cornelia, 
born in North Carolina in 1829, married to Asa 
Gunn, and residing in Chariton County, where 
Mr. Gunn owns extensive coal fields; and Pamela 
A., born in Missouri in 1833, married to David 
Burton, and residing in Randolph County. 

Mr. Kitchen w.as educated in the subscription 
schools of North Carolina, and came to this county 
witli his father, where they cleared land, built 
cabins and together hunted deer, he remaining 
with his parents until he was twenty-two years of 
age. At this time he married, and moved upon a 
tract of land one mile from the old homestead. 
In 1843 he lost his wife, and on account of tliis 
trouble his brother bought his land, so that he was 
free to go as he wished. A surveying party was 
about starting for Texas, and he joined this and 
assisted in the survey of the land at Ft. AA'orth, 
Tex. Coming back home after the work was ac- 
complished, he then took a trip to Oregon, remain- 
ing there for two years engaged in farming, and 
this brought him to the time of the great gold ex- 
citement in 1849. With thousands of others he 
went to California, remaining fourteen months, 
when, in 1850, he once more came back to good 
old Missouri. Our subject had been more fortun- 
ate than many who started out with as high hopes, 
for he brought back with him the sum of ^1,543 
as a result of his labors. With this capital he pur- 
chased a tract of seventy acres of land, paying for 
it S21 per acre. 

However, this acquisition did not satisfy our 
subject, for he h.as been incre.asing his possessions 
ever since, adding tract after tract, until at the 
present time he owns five hundred choice acres of 
Missouri land, which is valued at $25 per acre. 
During the late war he faithfully served in the 
Confederate army until the last j'ear, doing/ his 
full duty and setting an example of heroic con- 
duct worthy of more extended mention. His po- 
litical allegiance is with the Democratic party, and 
in its ranks he is held as a wortiiy member, always 
having taken an active part in its deliberations in 
the county. 

Our subject first married Mary McIIaigue, who 
was born in Kentucky in 1820; but Mrs. Kitchen 
died in 1843, as before stated, leaving two chil- 



682 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



di-en, one of whom, John, was born in Chariton 
County, Mo., in 1842, married Malinda Wiieeler, 
and is now a practicing physician in Oregon. Af- 
ter living tliirteen years a widower, our subject 
married Miss Mary Best, a native of Chariton 
County, born in 3 837. The marriage took place 
in 1856, and they liad the following children: 
Laura, V)orn in Chariton County in the year 1857, 
married Isaac Sanders, and died in the year 1880; 
Moses, born in Missouri in 1859, married Lizzie 
Hickerson, and they reside in Chariton County; 
Thomas J. was born in Missouri in 1861, married 
Miss Mollie Skinner, and lives in Chariton County; 
Henry and Gilliam are both dead; Elizabeth, born 
in Missouri, died at the age of twenty; Martha ia 
also dead; Lottie was born in Missouri, and mar- 
ried Henry Teeter, and resides at home; David B. 
is dead, and Samuel T. resides at home. These 
children were all educated in Chariton Countv. 



W^ARREN D. CRANDALL. "Of good re- 
port among his neighbors" — one can 
scarcely hope for more than this, and this 
can truthfully be said of the Postmaster of Brook- 
fleld, Mo., the subject of this sketch, who was born 
at IManlius, Onondaga County, N. Y.,July 8, 1838. 
At the age of four, in 1842, he went with his par- 
ents to Marine, Madison County, 111., where he 
was reared and received his schooling. His father, 
Daniel Crandall, was a native of Vermont, and 
a skilled and industrious carpenter and builder. 

While a student at Jacksonville College the toc- 
sin of war sounded and our subject promptly 
aided in forming a company- at Marine in July, 
1K(J1. The Illinois quota being filled, it was taken 
to the Arsenal at St. Louis, and became Company D, 
Ninth Missouri Regiment, our sul)ject being made 
First Lieutenant. In Februar3', 1862, this regi- 
ment became the Fifty-ninth Illinois, the campaign 
up to this time having been in southwestern Mis- 
souri, under Col. Kelton, now Adjutant-General. 
Previous to this, in the fall of 1861, it had been 
sent West to relieve Lexington, Mo., where Mulli- 
gan surrendered; it wintered at La Mine, Mo., 



after marching South to dislodge Price at Spring- 
field. Price again occupying Springfield, again 
the troops marched there to dislodge him, and 
took part in the battle of Pea Ridge, where the 
3'ounger brother of our subject was killed. Lieut. 
Crandall was in command of the company during 
this campaign, the Captain having fallen into dis- 
grace. His company, which had taken the name 
of the Fifty-ninth just before the battle, was hotly 
engaged and several were killed. 

Our subject, with Ave other officers and fifty 
men, was detailed in April, 1862, from the 
regiment, not Icnowing what for, but expecting a 
secret service. At AVest Plains, Howell County, 
he took charge of a bod3f of one hundred prison- 
ers, taking them to Rolla, where they were placed 
in prison; then the little command proceeded 
by rail to New Albany, Ind., at which place 
each of the six officers was placed in command of 
a vessel to go on the Mississippi River, under 
command of Capt. Ellet; Col. Ellet, a brother of 
the captain, was placed in command of the Heet. 
Secretary of the Navy Welles had refused to rec- 
ognize the scheme, but Secretaiy Stanton gave it 
encouragement. They were drilled in a peculiar 
manner, the design being to run down the rebel 
boats. About May 1, they dropped down to 
Cairo and went on to Ft. Pillow, whence the little 
Heet followed the rebel vessels to Memphis after 
Ft. Pillow was abandoned, the rams being re- 
quired to tow coal barges. June 6, 1862, the little 
flotilla formed into line to go down the river. 
Our subject left his barge and was on the 
ground soon enough to see several rebel vessels 
sunk. Col. Ellet's vessel had stranded and 
signalled Lieut. Crandall to come alongside, to 
carry a letter demanding the surrender of the city 
of Memphis. Under the flag of truce he called 
upon the Mayor, the partj' consisting of Lieut. 
Crandall, a medical cadet and two men. The bluff 
was crowded with people, witnessing the battle, qs 
the boats had drifted below the city. Major 
Park wrote out his reply, and then declared it 
would be dangerous to place the flag upon the 
post-office. No heed was given to this warning; 
the roof was reached, and in the absence of a flag- 
staff a pine plank was split, the two ends spliced 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



683 



and the Stars and Stripes waved over the building. 
The little part^' was tired upon and the Mayor 
urged them to desist, but they stood by their col- 
ors. Soon after Lieut. Crandall and a companion 
returned to the boat, secured all the men and 
placed a guard over the post-office. The citizens 
had scattered on hearing the explosion of the 
''Little Rebel" on the river. Some two hours 
later Indiana troops lauded and took possession of 
the city. Time bring its changes; recently our 
subject visited the city of Memphis with the Mis- 
souri Press Association and he was most hospitably 
entertained b}' the citizens where thirty years be- 
fore effort had been made to kill him. 

The following winter the Mississippi Marine 
Brigade was formed with Lieut. Crandall as Cap- 
tain and Assistant Adjutant-General, this com- 
mand doing ver3' efficient service on the river up 
to and after the Red River expedition and the sur- 
render of Vicksburg. Later Gen. Rosecrans placed 
Capt. Crandall on his staff, where he remained 
until November, 1864, when he was ordered to re- 
port to the front on the James River, to fill a 
vacancy caused by the death of some captain. 
After three and a-half years of service, he resigned 
at the close of 1864, and returned to St. Louis. 

Completing the study of law at St. Louis, our 
subject was admitted to the Bar in 1865; and, hav- 
ing two cousins at Brookfleld, he came here and 
pr.acticed law for ten years; later, in 1867, he 
bought the Gazette, which he edited and conducted 
until he was made Postmaster by President Har- 
rison, June 15, 1889, when he sold a one-half 
interest, and one year later sold out entirely. 
Capt. Crandall was married October 8, 1863, at St. 
Louis, to Miss Georgie Nance, a teacher in the St. 
Louis schools, who w.as born at Boston, Mass. 



*^^s~ 



Jl OHN FRAZIER is now the owner of forty- 
three acres of his father's old homestead in 
township 52, range 27, Ray County, which 
' he is engaged in carrying on successfully. 

He was born near Lexington Landing, Ky., Febru- 
ary 22, 1838, and is a son <if Fli and Mary (Ar- 



buckle) Frazier. The former was a son of James 
Frazier. and was born in Anderson Count3', Ky., 
where he grew to manhood on a farm and received 
common-scliool privileges. lie was married in his 
young manhood in his native State, and a few 
years later removed to the West with his wife and 
one child, locating in Ray Count}' as early as 
J 830, coining the entire distance with teams. He 
took up Government land, where he remained un- 
til removing, in 1853, to the farm now occupied 
by our subject. His occupation throughout life 
was farming and stock-raising. He was a member 
of the Baptist Church, while his wife belonged to 
the Christian denomination. He was a life-long 
Democrat and at one time a member of a count}' 
grange. 

Our subject is the youngest of three children, 
his brothers being Jackson, and Thom.as, who is 
now deceased. After his father's death, he started 
out to make his own wa}- in the world, being then 
thrown entirel}' upon his own resources. He re- 
ceived such education as he could, obtain in the 
old-fashioned log schoolhouse in the frontier. 
Some years previous to the death of his father, he 
rented a portion of his farm and here he has since 
resided, devoting himself to its cultivation and 
proper management. lie is successful in agricul- 
tural lines, having been brouglit up to that kind 
of occupation, and having been thoroughl}' famil- 
iar with the practical details of the same from his 
earliest recollection. The bountiful crops which 
his fields yield him, and the profits of his other 
farm products, now amply repay him for all pre- 
vious trouble. 

Mr. Frazier was first married to a second cousin, 
Margaret A., daughter of Pitman and Susan 
Frazier. To them were born four children: Anna 
E., Susie R., Luther E. and Virgil F. The wife 
and mother was called to the home beyond about 
the year 1875, and some three years later our sub- 
ject married Leah, daughter of Joshua and Nancy . 
(Jerrid) Morris, who were both born in the Old 
Dominion, but soon after their marriage removed 
to this State, locating in Ra}' County, where Mrs. 
Frazier was born. Her mother is a member of the 
Ciiristian Union Church, but both our subject and 
his wife are devoted nieinbers of the Methodist 



684 



POJtiTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Episcopal Chiu'ch. In his political belief, Mr. 
Frazier is a tliorough-going Democrat, and person- 
ally has the good-will and respect of his fellow- 
citizens and neighbors. 



W AMES B. GATES, our subject, lias followed 
I a natural attachment for that noble animal, 
j the horse, the emplo3'ment of his life hav- 
' ing been the caring for equines. Ilisiiverj', 
feed and sale barn at Brook field is an establish- 
ment that would be creditable to a city of ten 
times the size of Brookfield; while his carriages 
and otiier vehicles, and his excellent horses, will 
compare favorably witli those in any city, how- 
3ver large. He began his business November 1, 
1877, and has about $7,000 invested in the livery 
department, exclusive of the buying and selling 
department, lie shipping quite a number of horses 
on his own account. He possesses twenty fine ve- 
hicles, and uses twentj'-eight superior horses in 
his livery. He also does a funeral business, hav- 
ing some fine hearses, both black and white. 

Our subject was born in Macon County, Mo., 
three miles soutli of Cullon, May 10, 1849, his 
fatlier, William Gates, being one of the first set- 
tlers of M.acon County, going there from Illinois. 
Tlie parents of our subject have been dead a num- 
ber of years. Mr. Gates lived upon the farm until 
he was fourteen, when he went to Macon Cit}', 
wiiere for several years he was engaged in the 
selling of groceries. After this, he spent five years 
upon a farm south of Callao, and then came to 
Brookfield. which lias been his home ever since. 
February IG, 1875, he was married to Miss Mol- 
lie Owens, of Macon County, the fruits of the 
marriage being the following: Charles Roy, Rose, 
Thomas Cleveland; Blossom, who died at the age 
of eighteen months; and Johnnie aged one year. 

The religious views of Mr. and Mrs. Gates are 
in consonance with the doctrines of the Ciiristian 
Church, in which body they are active members. 
Mr. Gates is a Democrat, and takes interest in the 
contests between the great parties; but he is in no 
sense a politician. His success in business is due 



to a clever, accommodating spirit, as well to a 
thorough understanding of horses and the needs 
of the public. He has made a study of horses, and 
cannot be deceived by tricks of jockeys, or by the 
dishonesty of stockmen. His dealings are square 
and upright, and those who have once dealt with 
him prefer to resume those relations when oc- 
casion again arises. 



'■ ■ ^- 



I IwILLIAM E. THOMAS is a resident of Bo- 
\/\J// gard, Carroll County, where he is a dealer 
^/^ in lumber, window sashes, hardware, farm 
implementH and wagons. He is the son of William 
W. Thomas, who was born in Missouri, and whose 
father, Elisha, was a native of Kentuckj'. The 
mother of our subject bore the maiden name of 
Belle Hundley, and was born in Kentucky, and 
came to Missouri at the age of six years. 

William E. Thomas, whose name heads this 
sketch, is one of the native sons of Carroll County, 
where his birth occurred in .January, 1868. His 
3'outh was passed in the usual work and play of 
farmer lads, and his early education was that of 
the district schools. 

He further pursued his studies for one j'ear in 
Stanberry College, in Stanberry, Gentry County, 
of this State, which institution of learning he en- 
tered at the age of nineteen years. Upon finish- 
ing his school days, Mr. Thomas turned his atten- 
tion to farming for a time, but soon concluded to 
adopt a mercantile life. In 1889 he accordingly 
located in Bogard, where for two years he engaged 
in merchandising in partnership with John Math- 
leson, under the firm name of Mathieson & Thomas. 
In 1891 he embarked in his present business on his 
own account, and has now a fiourishing trade, 
supplying much of the surrounding county. 

In 1890, Mr. Thomas was united in marriage 
with Miss Mary Walker, whose father, A. W. Walker, 
is a well-known citizen of Bogard. The union of 
our subject and his wife has been blesssed with two 
children, who are called respectively Alexander R. 
and Ruth, and who are the sunshine and joy of 
their parents" hcune. Mr. Thomas uses his right 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



685 



of franchise in favor of the Republican party, of 
which he is a standi ally. He takes an important 
part in the advancement of all enterprises for the 
welfare and improvement of Hogard, and is num- 
bered among its best citizens. 



^f^^UFUS J. CLARK, our sul)ject, was a brave 
1^^ soldier in the Union army during the late 
tl\ 'V\ war, since which time he has followed the 
peaceful pursuits of a farmer, and in both 
callings has gained the approval of all who know 
him. He was born in Clay County, Mo., in 1840, 
and is a son of Ransler Clark, a native of Ken- 
tucky, who was born in 1790. The latter was a 
son of Phineas Clark, a native of New York, who 
emigrated to Lexington, Ky., and thence to Mis- 
souri, finally dj-ing near St. Louis. He was a 
farmer by occupation, a stonemason by trade, and 
a Baptist preacher. After a life of much useful- 
ness he died at a good old age. His wife boi'e the 
Christian name of Charlotte. 

Ransler Clark, our subject's father, learned the 
trade of a stonemason in his youth, and followed 
it in connection with farming throughout his life. 
He remained with his parents until he was twenty- 
one, when he struck out for himself, and seven 
years later, in 1818, near Lexington, Mo., mar- 
ried Nancy Tarwater, a native of Tennessee, and 
the daughter of Jacob and Sallie (Rollen) Tar- 
water, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and 
Tennessee. In the }'ear last named, in company 
with Frank McGuire and Mathew Rollen, all hav- 
ing their families with them, he came in wagons to 
Ray County, and settled in the Missouri River 
Bottoms, near the present site of Orrick. His 
death occurred at the age of about fifty years, 
•lacob Tarwater bought a large tract of land and 
owned fifteen slaves. He was a member of a 
lodge of Master Masons. 

The children of Ransler Clark are as follows: 
Sarah, wife of Jefferson Turner; P^phraim; Jere- 
miah; Margaret, wife of Lilburn C. Harris; Mary, 
deceased, wife of L. C. Harris; Hiram; and Ru- 
fus J., our subject. From his fifteenth year up- 



ward the latter has been the support of his 
widowed mother, and has alwa^'s resided with her, 
she now being witii liim on his home farm. He 
received his education in a cabin built of round 
elm logs, with a fire-place stretched across one 
end of the room, slab seats, and desks of slabs rest- 
ing upon wooden pins driven into the wall. 

Our subject was married, at the age of twentj-- 
seven years, to Mary A., daughter of Aiden and 
Elizabeth J. (Click) Humbird, all natives of Cocke 
County, Tenn. The father was a farmer and re- 
moved with his family to Arkansas and thence to 
Ray Coun.ty , Mo., in 1866, where he purchased land, 
upon which he lived until his death. Mrs. Clark 
was one of six children, namely: AVilliam; Mary 
A.; Julia, wife of Robert McCorkel; Louisa, wife 
of Patrick Vaughn; George; and Margaret, de- 
ceased, wife of Isaac Smart. Nine children have 
been born to Mr. and Mrs. Clark, of whom one 
died in infancy. The others are Darthulia, Mary, 
Howard L., Ollie, Nora, Decatur, Othir and Doatie. 

Our subject remained on his mother's farm 
until fifteen years ago, when he purchased his pres- 
ent one of one hundred and two acres situated 
in township 52, range 27, Ra}' Count)'. He and 
his wife are very prominent members of the Mis- 
sionary Baptist Church of Richmond. Politically, 
he is a warm supporter of the Republican part)-. 
He and his four brothers were in the Union army, 
he enlisting for one year in Compan)' B, Fort)'- 
fourth Regiment, under Col. Bradshaw. He was 
taken sick with the measles at RoUa, Mo., and was 
never again inactive service, Iiut remained in the 
army until July, 1865. 

lOBERT R. SHAUDS is prominent in local 
'(<' circles near his home, which is on sec- 
tion 21, township 55, range 18, Chariton 
^! Count)'. His farm comprises forty acres, 
which is all under good cultivation and is well 
improved, with a good residence and other sub- 
stantial farm buildings. Mr. Shauds was bom in 
Virginia .September 22, 1857, and made his home 
under the parental roof until reachini;' manhood. 



686 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



His father, William, was born in Virginia in 1812 
and resided in that .Stale until the year 1861,wlien 
he removed Westward to Missouri, locating on 
land in Chariton Countj^ where after residing for 
over twenty years he was called from this life in 
1883, at the good old age of seventy-one. In his 
native Slate he wedded Missouri Heath, who was 
also a native of the Old Dominion. Tiic wife sur- 
vived her husband a few years, being called to the 
home beyond in 1888. 

Robert R., of this sketch, is the youngest in a 
family of eight children: Eliza is now Mrs. Egbert; 
Puss is now Mrs. L. Kabler; Emeline died in her 
girlhood; Fannie is the wife of William Morman; 
Willie W. is now Mrs. Benjamin Morman ; Thomas 
J. died in November, 1892, in this county, where 
he had been engaged successful! j' in teaching 
school; and Alice is the wife of La Fayette Hen- 
derson. 

Our subject was educated in the county schools 
and on attaining his majority started out to make 
his fortune. He worked for a time in the sawmill, 
following that calling until his marriage, in 1883, 
to Miss Katie E. Nutter, the ceremony being cele- 
brated in Linn County. Until 1888 Mr. Shauds 
lived on his father's homestead, when he purchased 
and removed to his present farm. He has one 
child, Lorenzo W., now six years of age. He and 
his wife are both active in the work of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church ^iouth. For several 3-cars 
our subject has been Road Overseer in his town- 
ship, whicli position he is still holding. He is al- 
ways found an earnest advocate of all reforms and 
of all local entei'prises. 



\I? OUIS E. BRAITN, the cordial and accom- 
I (^ modating agent of the Wabash Road, has 
JL^^ been a resident of Salisbury since the 3d of 
March, 1883. Mr. Braun was born in St. Louis, 
Mo., April 3, 1862. His father, a native of Hesse- 
Darmstadt, Germany, emigrated to America when 
a young man and settled in St. Louis, wiiere he 
married. He engaged in teaming for a tiriu', and 



afterward bought a farm in St. Louis County, 
eigiiteen miles west of St. Louis. As a result of 
his enei'gy and industry, he succeeded in placing 
over one hundred acres of the place in a fine state 
of cultivation. The father still resides on the old 
homestead and is engaged in general farming. 
Some time ago he served in the State militia. In 
his political views he is a Republican. The 
Evangelical Church has in him a faithful and con- 
sistent member. 

The maiden name of the mother of our subject 
was Elizabeth Heller. She was born in one of the 
cantons of Switzerland, and came to the United 
States in a sailing-vessel. While en route to Amer- 
ica the vessel was wrecked off the coast of Africa, 
and the crew was forced to remain on the Cape 
Verde Islands while the ship was being rebuilt. 
Afterward sixty-three days were consumed in 
leaching Baltimore. Grandfather Heller was a 
drummer in the German army. Mrs. Braun died 
March 20, 1890, at the age of fifty-three. Of her 
ten children, five are still living, namely: Joseph 
L., who was born in St. Louis, and is now a com- 
mission merchant in that city under the firm name 
of Ballard, Messmore ife Braun; Louis E.; Charles 
F., a resident of Salisbury; .John J., who is a 
farmer in St. Louis County; and Anna C, now 
Mrs. G. F. Miller, a resident of St. Louis County. 

Our subject was reared on the home farm and 
attended the common schools of his district until 
twelve years of age, after which he engaged for 
two years as a clerk in a grocery store in St. Louis. 
He then filled out an unexpired term of a school 
in the vicinity of his old home, and was successful 
in that profession. After teaching at Orrville for 
one year he entered the Sedalia school of teleg- 
raphy, and after four months spent in study he 
obtained a position with the Wabash Road at 
Bridgeton, where he remained for eighteen months. 

The next position occupied by Mr. Braun was 
in tlie St. Louis yards, where he remained for a few 
months as operator. He then was promoted to 
the position of night operator at Centralia, Mo., 
and remained there until March 3, 1883, when he 
became night operator at Salisbury. On January 
2 of the following year, he was appointed agent 
on the main line of the Wabash Road at Salisbury. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



687 



Since his advent into the town, business has in- 
creased for the road and Mr. Braun has entire 
cliarge of affairs. When he located here tlie chief 
export was tobacco, but that has been superseded 
by grain and stock. Since 1883 the city has 
trebled its population, so that all kinds of business 
are improved, and this has had an effect on the 
trade of the road and added lesponsibility to Mr. 
Braun. He is one of tlie oldest agents on the line 
and has remained at Salisbury since 1883. 

It was in Salisbur}', in 1886, that the marriage 
of Mr. Braun and Miss May Banning occurred. 
This lady was born in College Mound, this county, 
and is a daughter of Dr. T. J. Banning, of Salis- 
bury. She was educated at Stephens' College and 
is an intelligent lady. One child has been born 
to Mr. and Mrs. Braun, Hazel L. Mr. Braun is a 
Knight of P3thias and a member of the Ancient 
Order of United Workmen, being Post Recorder 
in both orders. He was for a time a member of 
tlie Evangelical Church, but is now identified with 
the Methodist Church, in which he is prominent. 
In politics, he is a Republican of the most pro- 
nounced tj'pe, always supporting the colors of his 
party right loyall}'. The Wabash Road has few 
men better calculated to carry on the business of 
the company and please nil patrons than Mr. 
Braun. 









\T/AMES TOOEY. A tall, slender, keen-eyed 
gentleman, with a liandsome, smooth-shaven 
face, and hair which time has sprinkled with 
gray, may be seen almost any pleasant day 
upon the streets of Brookfield, Mo. Inquire of 
anybody who he is, for cverybodj' knows and 
iionors him, and the answer will be, "James Tooej', 
good-natured, kind-hearted James Tooey." Among 
all his neighbors he bears the reputation of an 
lionest, plain-spoken, just and benevolent man. 
In the Catholic Church he is a firm pillar— a sure 
support — cheerfully bearing his portion of the 
burden, only that he would resent the intimation 
that anytliing he does for the cliurcii is or pos- 
sibly could be a burden. 



Our subject was born in County Mayo, Ireland, 
in March, 1832, being the son of Augustine 
Tooey. He emigrated to the United States in 
1839, and remained in Allegany County, N. Y., 
for six years. After remaining for the same num- 
ber of years in Canada, he returned to New York 
and stayed there until 18.52, when he came to 
Missouri, stopping at St. Louis. While living in 
New York he worked three years as a towboy on 
the Erie Canal. In the years 18o2-54 he was with 
his brother engaged in railroad contract work on 
the Ohio and Mississippi, and in Illinois, and in the 
latter year built a coal road at Cote Sans Dessein, 
in Callaway Count}'. Upon its completion in 1856, 
they came to Linn County, Mo., as contractors on 
the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad, with head- 
quarters at a place called Thayer, seven miles east 
of Brookfield. 

The work last named consisted of a contract for 
ten miles of grade east of St. Catharine to 
Lingo; this and the road were completed in 1858. 
In the following year Mr. Tooey began to farm 
upon land he had secured when Brookfield was 
laid out, in the same year, 1859. In 1860 he lo- 
cated in Brookfield, where he built the first store 
ever erected in that place and put in a stock of 
goods, embracing a varied assortment of merchan- 
dise. He was one of tiie organizers of the town, 
and has been connected with it in one capacity 
or another ever since. He continued his store, 
which really grew into two, until 1872, when he 
was burned out, suffering a loss of $45,000, parti- 
ally covered by insurance. He then sold the 
ground upon which the building stood and rented 
for some time, continuing in business until 1876, 
when he disposed of it. He had been one of the 
original stockholders in the mill erected in 1863, 
and also in the fair grounds. The shipping of 
cattle, hogs, mules, grain, tobacco, etc., engaged 
his attention for some time, while he retained his 
farm near Marceline. The mercantile business 
again attracted him, and in 1882 he opened a 
grocer}' business in a rented storej continuing in 
it until 1887, when he retired. 

Mr. Tooey was married November 26, 1859, at 
Hannibal, Mo., to Miss Catherine McCormick, the 
ceremony being performed bj- Rev. Father James 



688 



f^ORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Mnrph}'. Mrs. Tooey is a native of County An- 
trim, Ireland, and came to the United States at the 
age of fourteen. The children she has borne her 
husband are eight in number, as follows; John, who 
is in a wholesale house at Butte, Mont.; Maggie, 
wife of M. J. Murphy, a conductor on the Hannibal 
it St. Joseph Railroad, residing at Il.annibal; Char- 
lie, who is engaged in the dry-goods business at 
Brool^field; Kittie, a graduate of St. Mary's, who is 
especially gifted in music, and is living at liome; 
William, a clerk in Ilartman's store; Clara, who is 
a student in St. Mary's College; Sallie and Mary, 
both of whom died when quite young. Mr. Tooey 
has built a number of dwelling houses in Brook- 
field and h.as handled a large amount of farm 
laud. He has always taken an active part in pol- 
itics as a Democrat, and has served for years as a 
member of the School Board and the Town Board. 
In 1877 he was appointed County Collector by 
the Governor, and was elected to that office in 
1878 .and .again in 1880. 



^, ILTON L. HURT, one of the oldest set- 
tlers of Chariton County, Mo., and one 
of the well-to-do citizens of the county, 
has been a resident here for so man)- j'ears 
that lie has seen almost all of the improvement 
that h.as taken place in this part of the State since 
it was rescued from its primitive state. 

Our subject was born m Madison County, Ky., 
January 25, 1819, and was the son of Pa3'^ton 
L. Hurt, a native of Virginia, who went to Ken- 
tucky when but ten years of age with his father, 
and engaged in farming there until the fall of 
1819. At that time he brought his family to Mis- 
souri on .an old keel boat, landing at Old Franklin, 
where he resided for two j'ears. At the end of this 
time he bought a farm within two miles of Glas- 
gow, containing one hundred and sixty acres. He 
worked it some time, and then sold the place, lo- 
cating on one of three hundred acres near FXy- 
ette, where he resided until his death, at the age 
of eighty-seven years. In his religiou-s faith he 
w.as a member of the Methodist Ei)iscopal Church, 



and in his political faith was a member of the 
Democratic party. 

The mother of our subject, who in her maiden- 
hood was Jemima Winn, was born in Madison 
County, Ky., and was permitted to live to be a 
blessing to her family until she reached the age of 
eighty-seven years. She became the mother of 
ten children, all of whom grew up, but only four 
are living. Our subject is the eldest of these, 
and was the third child in the family. He was 
reared on a pioneer farm, and that has a compre- 
hensive meaning, as the lessons of privation and 
self-denial practiced by the j'ouths of those days 
no doubt exerted an influence that did much to 
give a stability to their character. 

The father of our subject began life in a log house 
and this home is well remembered by our subject. 
He also remembers well the first log house erected 
in the town of Glasgow. The school facilities 
were very limited, not more than three months in 
the year being given to the teaching of the rudi- 
ments, and it was no uncommon thing to find 
children almost grown up with scarcely any knowl- 
edge of books. Game was plentiful, and our sub- 
ject has killed many deer. He grew up to work 
upon the farm and became expert in the proper 
raising and curing of tobacco. 

In 1840 ]Mr. Hurt located in Chariton County-, 
in what is now known as .Salisbury Township. As 
he was known to be an expert in the tob.acco busi- 
ness, he was immediately engaged as an overseer 
by the firm of Hayes & Corson, and they i)aid 
him a salary of #100 per month, which was enor- 
mous wages for those times. This business he 
followed for three years, and also had a farm of 
his own. On the 1st of M.ay, 1843, he was united 
in marriage with Miss Sarah A. Parks, who w.as 
born in this countj-, and until her death he carried 
on his farm of one hundred and ninet}"^ acres. Two 
years later he sold out here and removed to 
another farm of one hundred and twenty acres, 
which he planted in tobacco, and upon this he 
raised ten thousand pounds a year. 

During the war Mr. Hurt sold this fine farm 
.and bought one somewhat larger, containing one 
hundred and eighty-two acres, one and one-half 
miles from Salisbury on the west, where he con- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



689 



tiiKied tlu> raising of tobacco and general farming, 
and on this place had some full-blooded Durham 
cattle, line hogs and Shropshire sheep. He con- 
tinned the raising of tobacco for shippers, and 
for two years during the war lie remained at 
Keytesville and put up tobacco for Lewis & Co. 
In 1882 he sold this place and located in Salisbury, 
where he has a nice residence with two acres of 
land, and here he lives in pleasant retirement. 

The second marriage of our subject took place 
in Salisbury to Miss Sarah A. Ilarel, a native 
of tills county, and three children have been 
l)(>rn to Mr. and Mrs. Hurt, but one of whom 
grew up. This is Miss Emma J., who resides at 
home. On the death of the second Mrs. Hurt our 
subject married in Linn County Mrs. Fannie War- 
ren, a native of Howard County and a daughter 
of Robert Lampkin, who was a farmer of Linn 
County. Since 18.32 our subject has been a mem- 
ber of the Baptist Church, to which he has always 
been a generous giver, and, indeed, has been 
liberal to all the churches in this vicinity. In his 
political belief he i;? a Democrat, strong in the 
faith, as becomes a Missourian, and has been a 
delegate to the county and State conventions. 
Thus is briefly portrayed the life of one of the 
early and prominent pioneers, who has been a 
factor in the growth of the city, and now lives in 
the enjoyment of its progress. 



^^^ 



<Sp»)DWAUD C. HAVSLKH. Among the most 
\jr^ flourishing enterprises of .Salisbury is the 
/r- — ^ wholesale and retail meat market of Baler 
it Haysler, the latter of whom is the subject of 
this brief sketch. Mr. Ilaj'sler was born in Leip- 
sic, Saxony, Oerniany, September 18, 1853. His 
father died when he was young, and he remained 
with his mother on a farm near Leipsic, where 
he was reared to agricultural pursuits and at- 
tended the common schools. The mother died on 
the old pl.aee in 1889, in the faith of the Lutheran 
Cluirch. 

hi ISd.s, when our subject had rcaciicd his lif- 
teentli year, he left the home of his cliildhooil to 



come to America with an uncle, Joseph Zchirpe. 
They set sail from Hamburg on the steamer 
"Eleanor," and landed in Kew York. From that 
city our subject came to lioonville, and lived 
thei'e for one year, working with his brother. 
Having removed to St. Louis, he there apprenticed 
himself to the firm of Myer & Banerniann to learn 
the trade of a saddler, and after three years' ap- 
prenticeship he worked for them six years at a 
salary of 12.5 per week. 

In 1878, Mr. Haysler located in Sedalia, Mo., 
where he opened a saddler shop, and for years 
carried on a very successful business. In 1882 he 
sold out and located in Salisbury, where he formed 
his present partnership with Mr. Baier. These gen- 
tlemen have been unfortunate, in that they have 
twice suffered loss from fire, but, with character- 
istic vim and energ^^ they each time set about to 
repair damages, and now have the best meat- 
market in Salisbur_y. This market is 25x80 feet, 
and in addition they have an ice house and cold 
storage. In addition to the retail department, 
the firm carries on a large wholesale trade, and 
all the cattle they use are fed on their own farm. 
The large slaughter house is furnished with all 
modern appliances for the work. 

Mr. Haj'sler was largely interested in the plat- 
ting of the Baier & Haysler five-acre addition to 
the city, every lot of which is sold. Our subject, 
was married in Sedalia, in 1879, to Miss Anna 
the daughter of Gustavius Snare, an old i-esident 
of this city and a highly respected business man. 
Mr. and Mrs. Haysler have two children. The 
familj' home is a pleasant and comfortably fur- 
nished residence on Hutchinson Street. Socially, 
Mr. H.aysler is a member of the Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows. Politically, he is a Republican, 
and takes a pride in voting the straight ticket. 
He is a man of influence in the city and is highly 
esteemed for his many good qualities, lioth of 
mind and heart. 

When our subject left his Fatherland so many 
years ago, even in hlswildest dreams he did not 
anticipate such good fortune as has befallen him. 
He had alwa3's been used to hardships, as the 
youngest in a family of eight children, and the 
prospect of occupying his present position would 



690 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



have seemed too good to be ever realized, 3'et it 
has all been attained by his own industry, and 
great credit is due him for his persevei-ance, econ- 
omy and thrift, as well as good management. 



D. GOW, a veteran of the late war, and a 
farmer and stock-raiser wlio makes a spe- 
cialty of growing fruit, has a farm of one 
hundred and twenty acres on section 5, 
township 53, range 30, Clay County. In his fine 
orchard, comprising some sixteen bundled trees, 
two hundred are fine varieties of peach, and the 
remainder are principally apple trees. Mr. Gow 
also grows small fruits and grapes extensively. 
Our subject is one of ten children, whose parents 
were Arthur and Susan (McGinness) Gow. The 
father, who has been a resident of Missouri for 
sixty-two years, has forty-five grandchildren and 
eight great-grandchildren. His own family com- 
prised six sons and four daughters, he was himself 
one in a family of six sons and four daughters, and 
it is a singular coincidence that our subject, like 
his father and grandfather, has also been blessed 
with six sons and four daughters. 

During the late civilconflict, our subject enlisted 
among the first in 1861 in the Missouri State 
Guards under Capt. Thomas McCarty, J. II. Hughes' 
regiment and Slack's brigade. He took part in the 
battle of Carthage, July 5, 1861, in the battle of 
Wilson Creek, of the same year, and in the battle 
of Corinth. He was taken prisoner February 12, 
1862, at Springfield, but made his escape on the 
17th of the following March, joining Price's arm}' 
in Arkansas. Beside his valiant service in the 
Confederate army, Mr. Gow was in the war with 
Mexico in 1847, being a member of Company I, 
Magruder's battery. First Artillery. On his re- 
turn from Mexico, the yellow fever broke out on 
the vessel, from the effects of which there were 
sixteen deatlis. Our subject's grandfather was 
also a soldier, serving under Gen. Harrison in the 
War of 1812, and lost his life at Ft. Meigs, Ohio, 
Mr. Gow was boi-n in Clay County, December 
23, 1831, and was married in 1865. lie lias the 



following children: L. D., who resides with his 
grandfather, and is a general farmer; Viola, who 
lives at home; C. W., who is attending college; 
Kate, residing with her grandparents; Abram E., 
who is in the same business with his father; Col- 
lie, also an attendant at college at Lawson; Roy 
and three others remaining at home. Alexa Marsh- 
all, a stepdaughter, is teaching school and has 
been successful in that line for the past ten years, 
her education having been obtained at some of tiie 
best institutions of learning in Missouri. 

For four years Mr. Gow served his fellow-citi- 
zens as Justice of the Peace, was School Director 
for sixteen years, and School Clerk for ten years. 
He is greatly interested in the success of the Demo- 
cratic party, for the nominees of which he deposits 
his ballot, and is a member of the Christian Church. 
Mrs. Gow belongs to the Methodist Episcopal 
Church South. 



^fJOSEPIIUS W. HERSHEY, a prominent and 
successful general agriculturist and exten- 
^— ^ 1 sive grower of tobacco, owns a fine farm of 
^^l) three hundred and fort3--nine acres, pleas- 
antly located upon section 29, township 55, range 
18, Chariton County, Mo. Our subject was born 
in Washington County, Md., January 21, 1833, 
but ever since he was ten years of age has lived 
in Missouri, and has been one of the most impor- 
tant factors in the rapid upbuilding of the best in- 
terests of the State and county. His father, for 
many j'ears one of the well-known citizens of 
Maryland, emigrated to Missouri in 1843, and .set- 
tled in Howard County, where he remained for 
four years, afterward removing to Chariton County, 
and there dying upon the farm of his son Ezra. 

The father of our subject passed away in Au- 
gust, 1859, deeply mourned by a multitude of old 
friends and neighbors, who esteemed him as an 
earnest, true and upright citizen, worthy of trust 
and confidence. He had survived his wife for 
fully eight years, she having died September 12. 
1851. The old homestead had sheltered a happy 
family of eight oiiildreii, three daughters and fiye 



PORTRAIT AND BIOORAPIIICAL RECORD. 



691 



sons. Barbara Ann was the eldest of the brothers 
and sisters. Ezra D. was the first-born son; then 
came Christina, Elizabeth and Andrew, both 
deceased; Josephus, our subject; Isaac, and John 
T., deceased. 

Josephus "W. Hershey received his schooling 
in Howard County, Mo., and aided his father 
in tlie daily cares of the farm until he had at- 
tained manhood, when he received an interest in 
tiie homestead. At twenty-one years of age he was 
united in marriage with Miss Virginia E. Gnth- 
eridge, a daughter of one of the early and honored 
residents of Chariton County. 

Mrs. Hershey 's parents were native Virginians, 
who, after a long residence in the Old Dominion, 
removed to Missouri, locating in 1832 in the almost 
unbroken wilderness of Chariton County, where her 
mother passed away in 1837, leaving two children, 
Amanda and Virginia. The father, who.surviv^ed 
more than half a century, later married again, and 
unto him was born of the second marriage a daugh- 
ter, Missouri Ann Gutheridge. After a long life of 
busy usefulness .John Gutheridge died in 1888, 
lamented as an energetic and pul)lic-spirited citi- 
zen. 

Mr. and Mrs. Hershey' liave been blessed with 
the presence of a large family of children. The 
nine brothers and sisters who gathered in the 
home were .John David; Tiiomas W.; Elizabeth 
M., now Mrs. Edward Beahel, living in Ivansas; 
Andrew Scott, married and a citizen of Chariton 
Count}'; Josephus L., making his home with his 
wife and family in Marceline, liinu County; Bar- 
bara Ann, now Mrs. Frank D. Clark, residing in 
Kansas; George S. and Ciiristina K (twins), both 
deceased; and Ora, living at home with her par- 
ents. Our subject and his estimable family are 
members of the Christian Church, and both in tiiis 
religious organization and among the general pub- 
lic they have a host of warm, devoted friends. 

Mr. Hershey was a member of the Grange, and 
is now connected with the Farmers' Union. lie 
served in the Civil War for eigiiteen months, but 
was forced to do so against his will, and never 
took an active part. His life has been spent mostly 
in the peaceful pursuit of .agriculture, to which 
avocation he has devoted himself unweariedlv. 



Much of his homestead was unimproved when the 
land came into the po.ssession of our subject, who 
has brought a large portion of the acres up to a 
high state of cultivation, and uses the remainder 
as pasturage for his excellent stock. For many 
years Mr. Hershey has profitably and almost ex- 
clusivelj' engaged in the culture of tobacco, the 
crop annually yielding him satisfactory returns. 
Prospered as a tiller of the soil and interesting 
himself in the local issues of the day, Mr. Hershey 
also worthily does his part in the advancement of 
his home locality, and is numbered among the sub- 
stantial citizens, ever ready to aid in all good 
work and meritorious enterprises. 



M. ENDSLEV. This intelligent and pro- 
gressive farmer resides upon his fine tract 
on section 19, township 51, range 28, in 
Hay County. He was born in this county in 1834, 
being the son of .John and Hannah (Wells) Ends- 
ley. The father was a native of Guilford County, 
N. C, where he was born in 1796, and the mother 
was a native of Kentuckj', but the record of her 
birth has been lost. 

.John Endsley was reared on a plantation in his 
native county, where his father was a well-known 
planter and miller. His education was thorough 
for that early period and he became a man of 
broad information. At the age of twent3f-two 
years, with his younger brother James, he went 
with the Smith and Ashley company, a party of 
trappers, to the Rocky Mountains, and remained in 
the distant West about two years. Each man of 
the party had a rifle and three pack animals to take 
care of. They were obliged to rely upon their rifles 
to furnish them with food and subsisted exclusively 
upon game. Many times they were on the verge 
of starvation and were forced to kill their mules 
for food. On one occasion Mr. Endsley actually- 
boiled his moccasins and made a meal of them. 
Tiie party traveled as far as the Great Salt Lake 
and returned via what is now the State of Mon- 
tana. 



692 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPmCAL RECORD. 



On his return John Endsleji- stopped in Missouri, 
and was so delighted with the prospects of acquir- 
ing a competency in this great State that he went 
back to Nortli Carolina and returned with his 
mother to Missouri, settling in Ray County in 
1824. He bought a tract of fort}- acres of land 
within a few miles of the present home of our 
subject. At the age of thirty-five years, he mar- 
ried the daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Hunter) 
Wells, who came to Missouri with her parents when 
a child and was reared near the old village of Bluff- 
ton. Of their union were born eleven children, 
all of whom reached maturity. The father was 
the first member of the family who died in the old 
home and his demise occurred September 26, 1874, 
his wife surviving him until March 6, 1880. The 
father was a Democrat, and while a resident of 
North Carolina was elected Sheriff of his native 
county. He was strictly a farmer and devoted his 
attention chiefly to the growing of tobacco, in 
which he was very successful. 

Our subject began to work for himself at the age 
of seventeen, hiring out upon a farm for from $11 
to -lilS per month. In 1852, he crossed the plains 
with an emigrant train, consuming six months on 
the journej-.and spent nearly five years in mining 
on his own account, chieflj- in Calaveras County. 
His efforts were fairly successful and he finally re- 
turned home by ocean and isthmus, reaching New 
York in 1857. Returning to his home, he invested 
his earnings in land, and in the spring of the fol- 
lowing year bouglit his present home, which now 
consists of four hundred acres, one-half of which 
is bottom land. 

In December, 1857, Mr. Endsle}' mairied Eliza, 
daughter of Nathaniel and Chloe (Odem) Vance, 
who bore him the following children: Amadore, 
who married Mollie Klosel; E. M., Jr., deceased; 
Alice, Mrs. Frank Williams; Everett, who married 
.Jennie Block; John N., deceased; Fannie, wife of 
Jack Dudgeons; and Eliza, wife of Arthur Thur- 
man. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Ends- 
ley married Miss Maria, daughter of James F. and 
Emily (Paul) Owen. They became tlie parents of 
five children, three of whom are living, namely: 
Arthur, Walter and Callie M. Some time after the 
death of Mrs. Maria Endsley, our subject again 



married, his third wife being Miss Sarah L. Wood- 
ruff. Our subject is a consistent member of the 
Church of the Disciples. Socially, he is connected 
with the Master's Lodge No. 444, A. F. &. A. M., 
at Orrick. Politically, his preference is marked in 
favor of the Democratic party, with which he 
votes and in the success of which he always re- 
joices. In 1864 he took a second trip West and 
spent some time in the mining districts of Utali 
and Montana, but since that time has been well 
satisfied to remain upon his attractive farm. 



IMEON R. RICE. This prominent busi- 
ness man of Lawson has for some j'ears 
) been closelj' connected with the progress 
of Ray County, and is one of its best 
known residents. He conducts an extensive busi- 
ness as a dealer in grain, feed, wood, and coal. He 
also conducts a liver}', and in the management of 
his two enterprises his sound judgment and excel- 
lent business capacity are often called into requi- 
sition. Although not a native of this State, he 
cherishes the utmost devotion to its interests and 
maintains a deep interest in its progress. 

Mr. Rice was born in Macoupin County, 111., 
June 19, 1850, and is the son of Thomas J. and 
Elizabeth J. Rice, natives of Kentucky. On his 
father's farm our subject grew to manhood, mean- 
while receiving a good practical education in the 
common-schools of the district. After his school 
da3S were ended he engaged in farming pursuits 
in his native county and met with gratifying suc- 
cess in his labors. However, he did not feel satis- 
fled to remain permanently in Illinois, and in 1875 
went West to California, where he became con- 
ductor on a street car in Los Angeles, and for one 
and one-half years remained in that position. 

Returning as far East as Independence, Kan., 
Mr. Rice there located on a farm, and for eighteen 
months followed the life of a farmer. From that 
place, in 1878, he came to Lawson, and has since 
made this village his home. For about four years 
after coming here he engaged in agricultural pur- 
suits on a farm near this ])lace. Later, he was in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



693 



business as a butcher for about three months, sub- 
sequent to wbicl\ he embarked in his present en- 
terprise. He feeds a large number of hogs and 
has a steammill for tlie grinding of meal and 
feed. 

The lady who became tiie wife of Mr. Rice bore 
the maiden name of Laura E. Smith, .and is a na- 
tive of the same county as himself. She has 
proved a most efficient helpmate to her husband 
and is a Ifidy of amiable disposition. There are 
no measures proposed for the benefit of the com- 
munity which do not receive the active support of 
Mr. Rice. A devoted adherent of the principles 
of the Democratic party, he believes that from its 
ranks must come the men and measures which will 
bring our nation its highest glory and greatest 
prosperity. 



m 



JNIAN W. LETTON, Sheriff of Clay 
County, was born April 24, 1837, in Nich- 
olas County, Ky., near Carlisle, the first 
county seat. He belongs to a family whose repre- 
sentatives in various generations have been known 
as public-spirited and enterprising citizens in their 
various communities. His father, John H. Letton 
was a native of Maryland, and in his boyhood ac- 
companied his parents to Kentucky, in which State 
he grew to manhood. In Nicholas County he mar- 
ried Miss Sarah Howes, who was born in Maryland 
and came to Kentucky with her jiarents when a 
little girl. 

After their marriage, John H. and Sarah Letton 
began housekeeping on a farm and through indus- 
try and thrift accumulated a competency. While 
he devoted considerable attention to general 
farming, his specialty was stock-raising and he 
kept on his place a large number of mules and cat- 
tle. In the prime of his manhood he was removed 
by death, in 1843, leaving his widow with three 
small children dependent upon her care. She has 
been married three times and now, a widow, makes 
her home with our subject. Notwithstanding her 
advanced years, seventy-eight, she is in the pos- 
session of licr mental faculties unimpaired and is 

35 



in the enjoyment of good health. Ninian W. is 
the second son by her first marriage. Logan, his 
brother, enlisted during the late war as a member 
of Col. Winston's regiment, Gen. Steen's division. 
Gen. Price's army, and was killed in 1802, while 
in the service. 

In the private schools of his native count^^ our 
subject received a good education, wiiich he lias 
since supplemented by reading and observation, 
and he is now a man of broad information. In 
1857, at the age of twenty years, he came to Libertj', 
Mo., and for a time was employed on his mother's 
farm. In 1858 he worked on a farm in Platte 
Township, and the following year was married to 
one of the young ladies of that township. Miss 
Ruth J., daughter of John Gosnerj^, who was orig- 
inal!}' from Bourbon County, Ky. After his mar- 
riage Mr. Letton pursued agricultural duties until 
the outbreak of the war, when he enlisted as a 
member of Whitaker's company, Thompson's reg- 
iment, Steen's division, Gen. Price's army. He 
served for four years with bravery and fidelity to 
the cause with which he was in sympathy, and at 
the close of the war went to Kentucky', where he 
remained for five months. Thence he went to 
Illinois and for two j'ears made his home in Ful- 
ton County, following the occupation of milling. 
From there he returned to his former home, Mis- 
souri, with the progress of which he h.as since been 
connected. 

Recognizing the fitness of Mr. Letton for posi- 
tions of responsibility, his fellow-citizens at vari- 
ous times have called him to serve them in an 
official capacitj-. For some time he served as Jus- 
tice of the Pe.ice and for a considerable period was 
Constable. Since coming to Libert}' he has served 
as City Marshal and Township Constable for four 
years. In 1891, he was elected Sheriff of Clay 
County by a majority of two hundred and fifty- 
six votes, and after having served for one term he 
was re-elected in 1892. As an oflicial he was 
prompt in the discharge of his duty and genial 
in his intercourse with others. 

In 1875, Mr. Letton removed to Smithville, 
where he embarked in the mercantile business, but 
after two years occupied in this wa}' he sold his 
stock of goods and returned to the farm, where he 



694 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPfflCAL RECORD. 



engaged in raising Shorthorn cattle. He came to 
Liberty in 1882 iu order to give his children good 
educational facilities. His first wife died in 1890, 
leaving four children, namely: John F., Ninian S., 
Sarah and May A. His present wife bore the 
maiden name of U. Belle Letton and is the daugh- 
ter of ex-Judge N. W. Letton, of Lexington, Mo. 
She is a devoted member of the Christian Church, 
with which Mr. Letton is also identified. The 
family residence is a handsome structure and the 
grounds comprise fifteen acres within the city 
limits. Socially, Mr. Letton is a member of Smith- 
ville Lodge No. 289, L O. O. F. 



E^#^- 



ON. M. R. WILLIAMS, one of the promi- 
nent men of Chariton County, Mo., a suc- 
cessful business man, a social factor, and a 
political bulwark, is the subject of this 
sketch. He is descended from pioneer ances- 
try, his grandfather, Edward Williams, who was 
of Welsh descent, having been one of the earli- 
est settlers of the State of Kentucky, emigra- 
ting from Maryland, in which State he became 
one of the brave defenders of American indepen- 
dence in the Revolutionary War. In that strug- 
gle he became a Sergeant and was a messmate of 
William Washington. He endured the privations 
of the Continental army for seven years, and 
at the end of tiiat time he went to Kentuck}', 
later moved on into Tennessee, and as early as 
1819 became a j)ioneei in Howard County, Mo. 
There he entered land and resided until a few 
years before his death at the age of eighty-five. 
Our subject was born at Bluff Port, Howard 
County, Mo., January 23,1837. His parents, Thomas 
and Susan (Wasson) Williams, were both natives 
of JIadison County, Ky., the former being born in 
the beginning of the centur\', and the latter one 
year later. The father was reared in Kentucky 
and Tennessee until he was nineteen years of age, 
and when his father moved into Missouri, in 1819, 
he assisted in the removal, which was made b}' 
team and wagon. His marriage took place in 
Missouri and he first located near Glasgow on a 



farm, but in 1839 he removed to the site near Sal- 
isbury, although at that time there was no town 
here. The nearest market was Glasgow and here 
he traded the products of his farm — hemp, tobacco 
and general produce — for the necessities of life_ 
Then the luxuries were not much thought of. His 
land comprised eight hundred acres, and here he 
remained until death claimed him, a good and 
conscientious man. 

The mother of Mr. Williams was an estimable 
woman, Susan Wasson by name. Her father was 
Joseph Wasson, a native of Kentucky who came 
with his family to Howard County in 1810, when 
they were so annoyed by the Indians that thej' 
were for a time obliged to remain at Ft. Cooper 
at night. Later they located on a farm in Howard 
County. The family was of Irish descent. Mrs. 
Williams lived until 1866 and left at death two 
sons: Edwai'd, who was a soldier in the Confed- 
erate army, and resides here; and our subject. A 
daughter Mary, who married a Mr. Foster, died in 
Lancaster, Mo., in 1857, and a son Thomas was 
accidentally killed in 1861 while hunting. 

Since the year 1839 our subject has lived in 
Salisbury Township, and here is well known. His 
early days were passed in a pioneer home, and 
lience his educational advantages were limited. 
In 1859, in order to repair deficiencies, our subject 
went to Pittsburgh, Pa., and there attended Duff's 
Business College; he graduated from there and af- 
ter his return home was employed in public ollices 
for a time and then went on his farm in .Salisbury, 
where he remained engaged until 1877. 

At this date our subject was recognized as a man 
of ability and was appointed as Assessor of Char- 
iton County by ex-Governor Phelps. For two 
years he served the people acceptably, and four 
years later he was elected Township Assessor, and 
since that time he has been re-elected every year; 
he also holds the office of Township Clerk. 

Though very busy in attendance upon the du- 
ties of the public, our subject became engaged 
in real-estate interests, and iu conducting this 
business he has shown good judgment and has 
been reasonably prosperous, dealing in both farms 
and town lots. He laid out ten .acres in the AVill- 
iams' Addition to the city, and later became inter- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



695 



ested with Oldham, Finks & Slaughter in a divi- 
sion now called the College Place Addition. To 
our distinguished subject belongs the honor of 
starting tlie '■'■ Sji&'tator," in about the year 1880, 
whicli he made a success, and after conducting it 
for a }-ear he sold it to Mr. Gallemore, who changed 
the name to that of Press-Spectator. Mr. Will- 
iams tries his reportorial wings for two of the 
leading daily papers of St. Louis. 

For two years our subject was a member of the 
Citj' Council and displayed there great executive 
ability. In Salisbur3' Township, in 1866, occurred 
bis marriage with Frances E. Williams, who was 
born here, a daughter of Samuel Willi.ims, a farmer 
of this locality, and two bright j'oung men have 
grown up at the hearthstone of our subject and 
occupy positions of their own. Edward M. is the 
publisher of the Arkansas City Enterprise; Clay 
holds a position in the office of the Press-Specta- 
tor; and Thomas, nine years old, is at home with 
his father. 

Mr. Williams is a charter member of Encamp- 
ment No. 84, I. O. O. F., at Moberly, Mo.,also a char- 
ter member of Salisbury Lodge No. 236, 1. O. O. F. 
In 1892 he was nominated .as Representative on the 
Democratic ticket, and was elected by a handsome 
majority. As a member of the Democratic party 
he has long been an active worker, and deserves 
well at the hands of his fellow-citizens. In his 
social relations Mr. Williams is an important fac- 
tor, and from his appearance it is ditlicult to re- 
member that he is the father of the young men 
who are very proud to call him so. 



I^EV. JONATHAN PALMER FINLEY, the 
IHl distinguished subject of this sketch, liter. 
iii flj^ ally gave his lite for the cause of educa- 
tion, the tax upon his strength in the pro- 
motion of Brookfield College, which he founded, 
proving fatal. The life of this eminently good 
man is a sermon that should be read by all men 
for their instruction and profit. He was born at 
Hayesville, Ohio, September 9, 1822, and at this 
place lie attended school for several years; he then 



became a student at Ashland Academy, prov- 
ing an apt scholar for his years. Later, he re- 
turned to his native place and entered Vermillion 
Institute, from which he was graduated with dis- 
tinction in the Class of '48. Long before this he 
had been strongly impelled by the inward moni- 
tor to consecrate his life to humanity; and in obe- 
dience to this call, he went to Princeton, entered 
the theological seminary there, and w.as gradu- 
ated in May, 1851. 

The inauguration of our subject's devoted, iin- 
sellish life work took place at Big Creek, Ralls 
County, Mo., where he founded, in the fall of 
1851, Van Rensselaer Academy, and was its good 
genius for five years. The next six years, from 
1856 to 1862, were devoted to mission work, after 
which the synod of Missouri, in appreciation of 
his genius for teaching and his executive force, 
made him President of Westminster College, at 
Fulton, which position he filled for two years to 
the great benefit of that institution. The Presby- 
terian Church at Palmyra, Marion County, Mo., 
at this juncture made such an insistent call for his 
services that he did not feel justified in refusing 
to heed it, and for two years he ministered to the 
flock of that fold. Subsequent to this, Novem- 
ber 18, 1866, he organized the Presbyterian Cliurch 
of Brookfield, and shortly after that of Laclede. 

Through the efforts of our subject the erection 
of the Brookfield Presbyterian house of worship 
was begun in 1869, and pressed forward to com- 
pletion. Soon after coming to Brookfield, he 
opened an academy in what was then known as 
Keenan's Hall, continuing it until- the destruction 
of the building by fire in February, 1878. Al- 
though he could not at once reopen the school, his 
interest in education did not diminish, for he 
continued to serve on the Public School Board, to 
which he had been chosen before, and lie otherwise 
did what he could to make popular the great 
cause. Finally, by aid of personal friends and 
citizens generally, he erected a building upon his 
own premises, and Brookfield Academy was re- 
opened September 13, 1880, and from this enter- 
prise resulted the successful founding of Brook- 
field College. The present large and substantial 
building was erected in 1888, and the fall term 



69G 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRArHICAL RECORD. 



of that 3'ear opened with more than one hun- 
dred students, a number of them preparing for 
the ministry. When the academy' was merged into 
the college Mr. Finley resigned the pastoral charge 
of the church and gave his undivided time to the 
school, with the sad ending named above. He 
gave all his work and all his strength, for a fever 
set in, the result of overwork, and after a brief ill- 
ness of six days he died, January 25, 1889, uni- 
versally mourned. 



^^ 



ON AARON H. CONROW was born June 
19; 1824, near Cincinnati, Ohio. He spent 
part of his boyhood days at or near Pekiu , 
111., and from that place, with his parents, 
moved to Missouri, and settled in Ray County. 
Here, by dint of his own energy, he obtained a 
good education, teaching school part of the time 
in order to get means to complete the same. In 
this he was very successful. He then chose the 
law as a profession, and by rigid economy and 
sedulous application, became an eminent lawyer. 

On the 17th of May, 1848, Mr. Conrow mar- 
ried Miss Mary Ann Quesenberry, a daughter of 
David H. and Lucinda Quesenberry, of Richmond, 
Mo. From this union resulted the following chil- 
dren: David A., Benjamin, William .S. and Mamie. 
He was appointed by the Governor Judge of the 
Probate Court established in Ray County. From 
January, 1857, to January, 1861, he was Circuit At- 
torney of the Fifth Judicial Circuit of Missouri, an 
office that had previously been filled by such emi- 
nent lawyers as Hamilton R. (lamble, Abiel Leon- 
ard, Charles French, Robert W. Wells, Amos Rees, 
Thomas C. Burch, Peter H. Burnett, George W. 
Dunn, and others, but by none of them more zeal- 
ously' and efficiently than by the subject of this 
sketch. He was a brilliant and successful advo- 
cate, a fine judge of the law, and never descended 
to even the slightest artifice to gain the advantage 
of an opposing brother lawyer. 

In the year 1860 our subject was elected to 
the State General Assembly, where he was serv- 
ing at the beginning of the war, He sided 



with the South, and was instrumental in re- 
cruiting and equipping the first company organ- 
ized in Ray County for the defense of what he 
believed to be right. He ranked as Colonel in 
the Missouri State Guards, a military organization 
he had helped to create by his vote in the General 
Assembly. He was, by a majority of his comrades, 
elected to represent his district in the Confederate 
Congress, and in that capacit}', as in all others, 
served with singular zeal and promptness. He 
was present at the first meeting and at the final 
adjournment of that bod}'. At the close of the 
war, the amnesty agreed upon did not extend to 
members of the Confederate Congress, and fear- 
ing that if he fell into the hands of the success- 
ful party his life would be taken, he went to Mex- 
ico, but soon after arriving in that country, was 
brutall}' murdered by a band of Mexican soldiers, 
on or about the 25th of August, 1865. 



l-5-***,iic 



^1 •$••$••$• "J"!— 



^4*4*4*4*^^^^*5*4*'J'4'F 



li^^HOMAS IMORGAN. Among the enterpris- 
lf//^\ ing and prominent farmers of Ray County, 
V^^ is the gentleman of whom we write, and who 
for a number of years past has devoted himself to 
the cultivation of his well-improved farm, which 
comprises four hundred and twenty acres in Fish- 
ing River Township. He is a most worthy man, a 
citizen of worth and merit, one who is much re- 
spected in the neighborhood of his home and who 
is always kind to the poor and needy. 

Mr. Morgan was born Julj' 10, 1840, in Tennes- 
see, of English parentage, and was reared to the 
occupation of a farmer, after the custom of the 
English, who do everything in a methodical and 
sometimes old-fashioned way. Though he had 
not the usual advantages of those of his day in 
the way of educational privileges, he was always a 
student and reader and managed to store his mind 
with useful knowledge derived from such books 
and newspapers as came within his reach. His 
youthful days were spent in assisting his father 
in his farm work and in the support of his family. 
On reaching his majority, Mr. Morgan concluded 
to branch out for himself, and therefore left the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



697 



parental roof, his parents and his three brothers 
and two sisters, he being tiie eldest of the family. 
For the following two years, he worked by the 
month at farm labor, and then on account of the 
Western fever and gold excitement he drifted 
Westward to the mountains. After a slay of six 
years, he found that only moderate success had 
crowned his efforts and industry and that he was 
longing to return to the old homestead. He ac- 
cordingly returned, and after a short stay went 
to Kentuck}', where he invested some of the pro- 
ceeds of his mining experience in stock, principally 
horses, continuing in the business of buying and 
selling cattle and horses for the following five 
years. 

Having disposed of all of his effects, Mr. Mor- 
gan then came to Ray County and purchased a 
farm, which he yet owns and carries on success- 
fully. He lives alone, having never married, and 
it is to his credit that in view of this fact his home 
is kept as neat and tidy as though a woman's pres- 
ence was manifest therein. Our subject is a wide- 
awake politician of the old Democratic order and 
is ready at all times to sustain his position in an 
argument with anyone who will venture to enter 
the field against him. Socially, he is a man of the 
highest order, kind, courteous and obliging to all, 
and fraternally, is a very energetic member of the 
Masonic order. Though not a church member, he 
attends the Christian Union Church. 



EDGAR M. COWLES is the popular and en- 
terprising editor of the Newts, published in 
' Hardin, Ray Count}'. This journal is bright, 
news3', and in politics is Democratic. It is a six- 
column (juarto and aims to give interesting in- 
formation in regard to local affairs, as well as gen- 
eral news from the outside world. It is essen- 
tially the representative paper of the party in the 
county and its influence is felt in all National 
questions on the side of the Democracy. Mr. 
Cowles is an intelligent man, one who is possessed 
of good al)ility, and is making a tlK>rou(jli success 



of the paper which he had the honor of estab- 
lishing. The Neivs, which was established in 
March, 1888, is on a solid financial basis, and in 
addition to the journal INIr. Cowles has a well- 
equipped job printing-office in connection with it 
and gives considerable attention to that depart- 
ment. Our subject was born in Lee County, 
Iowa, May 18, 1862. Both of his parents having 
died before he was three j'ears of age, he was taken 
by an uncle to Carrollton, remaining with him un- 
til reaching his seventeenth 3'ear. He attended 
the public schools until nearly that age, and then 
entered the office of the Carrollton Journal to 
learn the printer's trade. A year later he entered 
the office of the Record, where he I'emained for 
three years, and by this time having reached his 
seventeenth year, he left his boyhood home and 
started out to make his fortunes unassisted. Go- 
ing to Kansas City he worked in the linies office 
for several months and then went to Kearney, 
Neb., where he arrived in 1880. Working at bis 
trade in that city for some time, he then went to 
Shelton in the same count}', staying there until 
1883, when he returned to Carrollton, and was 
there for the following two years. For the next 
three years he was located at Bogard, Mo., and in 
these various places working under different man- 
agements and on so many lines of work , he ac- 
quired a practical knowledge of all the details of 
printing and newspaper work which have proved 
invaluable to him in conducting his own office. 

On May 5, 1888, Mr. Cowles married Miss Alma 
C. Cleveuger, of McDonough Count}-, 111. Her 
parents removed from the Prairie State to Bogard, 
Mo., whence after residing for a time the}' returned 
to Illinois and are now residents of Macomb, 111. 
A little daughter, Jessie M., was born to our sub- 
ject and wife but they were soon deprived of her 
sweet presence in their home as the angel of death 
took her from their midst. Mrs. Cowles is a con- 
sistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
and is an amiable and well-educated lady. Both 
she and her husband have many warm friends in 
this vicinity, whom they have endeared to them by 
their worthy and estimable qualities. 

Mr. Cowles has made a success of his paper, 
which has now been running about five years, and 



698 



PORTRAIT ANi) BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



in addition to that lie lias also given considerable 
attention to real estate and loans, doing a remun- 
erative business in that direction, and being prin- 
cipally engaged in handling farm land in Ray 
and adjoining counties. In accord with his polit- 
ical faith he deposits his ballots in favor of the 
nominees of the Democratic party. 



-'>-=^^>-^<m 



PANIEL W. BARCLAY, residing on section 
) 24, township 60, range 20, Linn County, 
^ owns a valuable farm of one hundred and 
sixty .acres, and m.akes a specialty of stock-raising, 
particularly the breeding of fine hogs. He is a 
native of the Empire State, born in Lj'ons in 
1842, and until nine years of age was a resident 
of that State. He then removed with his parents 
to Adams County, 111., where he was reared to 
manhood. 

Daniel Barclsiy, our subject's father, who was 
also born in New York .State, located in Illinois 
about the year 1852, on a farm about sixteen 
miles from Quiucy. He was engaged in farming 
until his death, which occurred near Mendon, 111. 
His wife bore the maiden name of Plia'be E. Per- 
rine, and their family comprised five sons and six 
daughters. Those living are: John P., a dealer in 
farm implements in Allegan, Mich.; Ira C, a 
farmer in Knox County, Mo.; Caroline E., wife of 
John C. Austin, of New York, now a resident of 
Mendon, HI.; Catherine E., wife of Jonah Austin 
(deceased), and now a resident of Lyons, Wayne 
County, N. Y.; and Letitia S., who married Abra- 
liam Chittenden (brother of Senator S. R. Chit- 
tenden), who is a retired farmer of Adams County, 
111. The father of these children was in active 
service during the War of 1812, and at the ex- 
piration of his enlistment received an honorable 
discharge. 

Ill the spring of 1862 Daniel W. Barcl.a}' en- 
listed in the One Hundred and Eighteenth Illinois 
Infantiy, becoming a member of Company K, at 
Mendon. He was in the service for over three 
years, and was mustered out in July, 1865, at New 
Orleans, La. After the siege of Vicksburg he was 



transferred to the United States Signal Service. 
In 1865 he returned to Mendon, near which city 
he engaged in farming for two years, after which 
he emigrated to Linn County, Mo., buying a farm 
near Browning. In 1891 he purch.ased his pres- 
ent farm at the rate of §20 an acre, and since be- 
coming its owner has made many valuable im- 
provements upon the same. As a farmer, Mr. 
Barclay's efforts have met with signal success, his 
farm being a model of fertility and neatness. 

In Linneus, Linn County, the year 1867 witnessed 
the marriage of Mr. Barcla}' and Miss Emma Norlh- 
cott, daughter of B. F. Nortlicott, a native of Ken- 
tucky, who was a Methodist minister, traveling 
and preaching throughout this country for many 
years. The union of this couple has been blessed 
with a family of eight children, six of whom are 
boys. They are as follows: Edwin H., Ben N., 
William P., Herbert W., Guy A., John I., PhcBbe 
E. and Bessie B. Ben N. is married and engaged 
in farming in Adams County, 111.; Edwin is a 
teacher of music, and is also engaged in farming; 
and Plia'be is a school teacher of more than ordi- 
nary talent. 

In his political views Mr. Barclay is attlliated 
with the Republican party, and is a member of the 
Grand Army post at Browning. With his wife 
and daughter Phwbe he is a member of the Pres- 
bjterian Church, in the work of whicli the3' are 
•ictively interested. 



*^^l 



m 



vQ 



/^Sji FINK, general merchant in Hale, is a na. 
[l(^^ tive of Germany, his birth having occurred 
^^^ in 1838 in Prussia. His parents. Christian 
and Louisa (Yaeger) Fink, with their family of 
eight children, of whom our subject is the sixth 
in order of birth, crossed the Atlantic in 1850, 
their destination being New York. They settled 
on a farm in Genesee County, not far from the 
city of Buffalo. 

On leaving the scenes of his early childhood, 
the subject of this sketch was but twelve years of 
age, and he was reared on his parents' farm in the 
Empire State. He attended the common schools 



PORTRAIT AKD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



699 



at Darien and afterward tliose in Buffalo. After 
cornplelinf); his studies he engaged in clerking for 
a number of years in Buffalo, Chicago and < Juincy, 
and there acquired the practical knowledge and 
experience of merchandising which li.avc proved 
invaluable to him in later years. 

When the Civil War broke out, Mr. Fink was 
manager of a general store in Quincy, 111., but his 
devotion to the cause of the Union caused him to 
resign his position. He enlisted as a Sergeant in 
Company A, Twenty-seventh Illinois Infantry, but 
was promoted to be First Sergeant and afterward 
to be First Lieutenant. In the capacity of Captain 
he commanded iiis company through the Atlanta 
campaign, participating in all the important bat- 
tles thereof, among which we mention the battles 
of Belmont, Farmington, siege of Corinth, Stone 
River, Chickaraauga, Mission Ridge, Kenesaw 
Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, etc. He 
was considered by his superiors, as well as his fel- 
low-officers and the men under him, one of the 
most energetic and competen.t officers in the ser- 
vice. He was ever found at the post of duty, and 
his superior officers felt that they could repose the 
utmost confidence in his courage and strict atten- 
tion to duty. He was mustered out September 
20, 1864. 

Returning from the scenes of conflict, Mr. Fink 
at once embarked in the general merchandising 
business at Utica, Mo., and later opened a branch 
house in Mooresville, which business he carried on 
successfully for twenty 3'ears. In May, 1885, be 
opened a general mercantile establishment in Hale, 
which he has conducted up to the present time. He 
also owns and carries on a branch house at Lud- 
low, Mo., and another in Dawn, of this State. In 
his business relations he has proved himself pro- 
gressive and enterprising and makes friends of all 
his customers as a result of his fair and square 
dealings. He has largely conti'ibuted to the 
growth and prospei-it\' of the town, and his resi- 
dence and grounds are considered among the fin- 
est in the count}'. His stores are also models and 
attract attention from all visitors. He is the 
owner of three large general stores, all in a flour- 
ishing condition and conducted under the follow- 
ing names: C. Fink, at Hale; C. Fiiik & Co., at 



Dawn; C. Fink & Son, in Ludlow. Among his 
prominent characteristics ma}' be mentioned his 
unswerving integrity, together with correct habits 
and business experience, which entitle him to the 
confidence of all who may have business relations 
with him. 

In 1859, Mr. Fink and Miss Settle Romeiser were 
married. Mrs, Fink is the daughter of John Rom- 
eiser, one of the first settlers of Quincy, 111,, and by 
her marriage has become the mother of five children, 
as follows: Edward W,; Pearl, who is the wife of 
H. C. Freed, of Unionville, Mo.; Ida, now the wife 
of vS. F. S, Hudson, Cashier of the bank at Dawn; 
Birdie, who resides at home with her parents; and 
Arthur C. Socially, Mr. Fink is a member of Hale 
City Lodge No. 184, F. & A. M., and the Grand 
Army of the Republic. Since becoming a voter he 
has used his right of franchise in favor of the Re- 
publican nominees and is a loyal supporter of that 
party. 



/p^EORGE W. LAVELOCK, .Judge of the Pro- 
Ill f^^. bate Court, residing at Richmond, was born 
^V^^l in Ray County, Mo., in January, 1860, and 
is the youngest son of Thomas and Dorcas (Shoup) 
Lavelock. His boyhood was passed in an un- 
eventful manner on the home farm, and upon 
completing a common-school education, he entered 
the State University of Missouri at Columbia. 
He was graduated from the law department in 
1881, after which he engaged in teaching during 
the winter season and operated as a farmer in the 
summer. 

In partnership with his brother T, N,, our sub- 
ject commenced the practice of law in 1884, the 
firm name being Lavelock ct Lavelock. This con- 
nection continued until the appointment b}- Gov. 
Francis of George W. Lavelock to fill out the un- 
expired term caused by the death of the Judge of 
the Probate Court. He was re-elected to the same 
position in 1890, and in January of the following 
year entered upon the duties of the office for a 
term of four years. He retains his legal practice 
and is prominent at the liar as well as on the 



700 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Bench. He has also served as City Attorney with 
credit to himself and satisfaction to his constit- 
uents. 

January 4, 1887, occurred the marriage of Judge 
Lavelock to Miss Mattic S., daughter of Richard 
Francis Bohannon, of Richmond. In political 
matters the Judge afliiiates with the Democratic 
party and is prominent in public matters. His so- 
cial connections are with Richmond Lodge No. 
57, A. F. &, A. M.; Cyrus Chapter No. 36; and 
Richmond Commanderv No. 47, K. T. 



AVID FRAMPTON is a native son of this 
count}', having been born in 1839, and 
being a son of Jonathan A. and Mary 
Frampton, the former of Virginia and the 
latter from Keutuck}'. They removed in 1833 to 
this State and made a settlement in Clay County, 
where the father engaged in farming and was also 
an extensive stock-raiser for his day. Our subject 
is one of ten children, of whom six are living and 
with the exception of one are married and have 
families of their own. The father died of cholera 
in 1866, at the age of sixty-eight years. His wife, 
who was sever.al years his junior, died about the 
year 187.'). 

David Frampton was reared to the life of a far- 
mer's boy but left home at the age of seventeen 
to face the battle of life. He learned the trade 
of a wool-carder, at which he worked for many 
years, or until the inventive genius of man did 
away with the old-fashioned carding-maehine and 
the spinning wheel. In December, 1860, he was 
married to Miss Isabella \., daughter of William 
M. Jenkins, of this count}'. To them were born 
two cliildren: Birdie, born in March, 1863, and Ida 
Mary, in August, 1864. The former married 
James 15. Withers, and the latter is the wife of 
James B. Webb, both residents of this county. 

Immediately after his marriage, our subject pur- 
chased a part of the farm on which he now resides 
and to which he has added at different times ad- 
joining land until at one time he owned two hun- 
dred .acres. When his daughters were married, he 



gave to each of them a farm, so he now retains 
only eighty acres of his old homestead. He has 
good farm buildings, and leases the place to his 
son-in-law, Mr. Webb, who takes charge of the 
farm, while our subject takes life easy and occupies 
his time in many ways, taking great pride in his 
apiary, composed of many stands. During the 
Civil War, our subject was in the Confederate 
army, having enlisted under Gen. Price in Septem- 
ber, 1861, but served for less than a year. He was 
in the battle of Lexington, Mo., and also in the 
engagement at Pea Ridge, Ark., but was not 
wounded during the entire campaign. 

Fraternally, our subject is a M.ason but is not 
connected with any lodge. He had always been a 
Democrat until two 3'ears ago, when his influence 
was cast with tiie People's party, and in the fall of 
1892 he made the race for the Count}' Judgeship 
on that ticket. 



jr^\ RS. DINAH AYRES ALLEN w.as born in 
Estill County, Ky., February 19, 1803. She 
was a daughter of the late Gen. Stephen 
Trigg*, of Saline County, Mo. Gen. Trigg 
was a son of Maj. John Trigg, of Virginia, who was 
an officer of distinction in the Continental army, 
and served under Washington at Yorktown. It 
is the tradition in Mrs. Allen's family, based on un- 
exceptional sources of information, that Maj. Trigg 
was often employed by Washington on special ser- 
vice, particularly against the Tories. He was a 
Rei)resentative from Virginia in the Fifth, Sixth 
Seventh and Eighth Congresses, and was, in and 
out of Congress, an uncompromising opponent of 
the famous "Alien and Sedition Laws." She was 
a second cousin of that Maj. Trigg who was killed 
in 1782 at the battle of Blue Lick, in Kentucky. 
Her mother was Elizabeth Clarke, of Virginia, who 
was a kinswoman of Gen. George Rogers Clarke, 
and of Capt. William Clarke, who, in 1804, in 

*In a sketch of Col. Shubae! Allen, which appears in the Mis- 
souri volume of the United States Biographical Dictionary, p. .SI2, 
and in a sketch of Mrs. Allen in the Libertj' (Mo. 1 .-If/vance, of 
July '2, 1886, it is stated that Gen. Trigj^ was late of Howard 
County. It should have been Saline County. Gen.Tri^g, on re- 
moval" to Missouri, first located in Howard Courit\, but afterward 
removed to Saline County, and there died. 



1>0RTRA1T AND BIOGKAPHICAL RECORD. 



701 



connection with Capt. Meriwether Lewis, made 
the expedition across the continent, under the di- 
rection of President Jefferson, known as Lewis 
and Clarke's Expedition. Her mother was also a 
sister of the late Gov. James Clarke, of Kentucky, 
and an aunt of the late Hon. John R. Clarke, of 
Howard County, Mo. 

The first ancestor in America of this family of 
Triggs was named Abram Trigg, and he came to 
America and settled in "N'^irginia about the year 
1710. The unbroken tradition in the family is 
that he came from Wales, but the probability is 
that the family originated in Cornwall, England. 
It is an ancient British name, and existed as a 
local name in Cornwall perhaps before the inva- 
sion of England by the Anglo-.Saxons. One of 
the hundreds of Cornwall is now, and time out 
of mind has been, named Trigg. The name, in 
connection with the word scire — making the com- 
pound name Triconscire — occurs in the will of Al- 
fred, King of England, written about the year 
A. D. 880. It is believed that all of the Triggs of 
Virginia, as well as throughout the Southern, Cen- 
tral and Western States of the Union, are de- 
scended from this same ancestor, Abram Trigg. 
The C'larke family was of English descent, and 
is of older settlement in Virginia than the Trigg 
family. The Trigg and Clarke families were con- 
nected by marriage or blood with the Moorman, 
Ayres, Preston, Henderson, Johns, Anthonj' and 
Leftwich families of Virginia. 

The mother and father of our subject were na- 
tives of Bedford County, Va., and were married 
in 1790. They removed from Bedford County, 
Va., to Estill County, Ky., and there settled in 
1794, going by way of the old emigrant trail 
through Cumberland Gap. In 1818 Gen. Trigg 
removed with his family to Howard County, Mo., 
and there made his home for some years. He 
came to Missouri in the old patriarchal mode, 
bringing with him his flocks and herds, his man- 
servants and maid-servants. The emigration to 
Missouri was accomplished in about three weeks, 
Mrs. Allen and her sisters and brothers, in the 
main, riding on horseback. She accounted the re- 
moval to Missouri, with its multiplied incidents, 
as one of the most delightful portions of her life. 



her tenacious memor}' retaining every incident of 
it, and frequently, of winter evenings in old 
times, recounting them, with infinite merriment, 
to her children and friends, assembled before the 
huge fire of logs in the family room. Her mother 
died in Howard County, Mo., in May, 1822, and 
her father in Saline Count}', Mo., in 1834. 

Mrs. Allen was married to the late Col. Shubacl 
Allen, of Clay County, Mo., in Howard County, 
Mo., September 19, 1822. She removed at once 
to her husband's home in Clay County, making 
the journey on horseback in three days, staying 
the first night in Saline Count}' and the second 
night at the town of Bluffton, in Ra}' County. 
Bluffton was situated in the Missouri Bottom (a 
mile or so west from the site where the town of 
Camden is now located), but has not appeared on 
the maps for fifty years, and its former existence 
has wholly passed out of general knowledge in 
Missouri. During the first three j'ears of her 
married life she and her husband, and her sister, 
Mrs. Elizabeth Thornton, and the latter's husband, 
the late Col. John Thornton, lived in the same 
house, about four or five miles southwest from 
Liberty, in Clay County, on the farm now known 
as the '"Old Thornton Place." In 1825 her hus- 
band moved to and improved the place in Clay 
County, Mo., thereafter known as Upper Lib- 
ert}' Landing or Allen's Landing. The place, or, 
more properly, plantation, embraced the west- 
ern portions of the bluffs on the Missouri River, 
about three and a-half miles south from Liberty, 
with some hundreds of acres of the bottom lands ly- 
ing west of the same, and portions of the hill lands 
adjoining the bottom lands on the north. From 
St. Louis steamboats began making regular trips 
on the Missouri River as far as Allen's Landing 
as early as 1828, and that point was for many 
years after the great place of ingress and egress 
by river for northwestern Missouri. Her husband's 
residence there was in the bottom, near the west- 
ern extremity of the bluffs, and was a type of the 
best class of early Missouri dwellings, that is, it was 
constructed of logs, weather-boarded, two stories 
high, with halls or passages between the rooms on 
e.ach story. She resided there until 1850, when 
she removed to Libert v. Her iniiuediate neigh- 



702 



i'OliTIlAlT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



boi'S at Allen's Lauding were the Collins, Ew- 
ing, Robertson, Murray, Arthur, Withers and 
Mitchell families; and it is a pleasing fact that 
between her family and all the members of those 
families there has subsisted an unbroken friend- 
ship and intimacy for the period, in some cases, 
of sixty, and in others, of seventy years. An 
equally pleasing fact may be told of her paternal 
family — the Triggs. Members of that family and 
of the Park, Bush, Todd, Fugitt and some other 
familes of Platte or Clay Counties, Mo., and the 
Noland family, of .Jackson County, Mo., have 
been continuously associated for at least one hun- 
dred years, and always in friendship. They pur- 
sued the same route in the emigration from Vir- 
ginia through Kentucky to Missouri, and, while 
always in amity tovrard each other, have usually 
also agreed in religion and polilics. 

Of the marriage of oar subject with Col. Allen, 
there were born eight children: Augustus Evans, 
who died at the age of five years; Sliubael, Jr., 
who died at the age of twenty-three years; Eliz- 
abeth Bathsheba, who married Lieut, (afterward 
Gen.) Alexander B. Dj'er, U. S. A., and died De- 
cember 22, 1891; Eugene B., of Webb City, Mo.; 
Robert E., of Rich Hill, Mo.; and Trigg T., Dr. 
John M., and De Witt C, of Liberty, Mo. All of 
her children were born in Clay County. She lost 
her husband January 18, 1841. 

Mrs. Allen professed religion in the fall of 
1844, and was baptized into the fellowship of the 
Second Baptist Church of Liberty, Mo., by the 
late Rev. Alvin P. Williams. Of all the members 
of that congregation at the time she became a mem- 
ber of it, only her niece, Mrs. Caroline M. Moss, who 
was born in Thornton, but is now of St. Joseph, 
Mo., survives. The distance of her residence prior 
to 1850 from the church edifice, and after April 1 
of that year a fearful injury received by her at that 
time, which produced partial deafness and much 
physical debility during the remainder of her life, 
made it impossible for her to discharge with reg- 
ularity all of the public functions of a religious 
life; but she had, in tiie highest degree, the evi- 
dence of conversion and consecration to God, and 
that consisted of a perfect conviction of the truth 
of the Divine Word and a humble, eager willing- 
ness to obu3' its ever}' law. 



Reared at an early day in Kentucky and Mis- 
souri, our subject could only receive the benefit 
of the common schools of tiie country, but it was 
her good fortune to have been under the instruc- 
tion of one teacher of superior attainments — a Mr. 
Moore, an Irish gentleman, who was, perhaps, com- 
pelled to abandon his native country by reason of 
connection with the Rebellion of '98. But she was 
of an inquiring mind and a most assiduous reader 
from childhood until she suffered partial loss of 
sight a short time before her death. She had also 
the example of her father and mother, who were 
persons of superior minds and extensive informa- 
tion. She often repeated, as a saying of her fa- 
ther's, the words: "Russell's 'History of Modern 
Europe' is the cream of history." Inspired by ex- 
ample, and induced by her own taste, she became 
intimately acquainted with history and general 
literature. Her admiration for Sir Walter Scott's 
writings (except his ."Life of Napoleon"), .and, 
above all, of his novels, was very high. Her de- 
light in reading his novels began in her girlhood 
and continued unabated during life. To read 
them herself, or to have them read aloud by one 
of her children, and to point out beauties as the 
reading progressed before the fire during long 
winter evenings, was to her the acme of social en- 
joyment. With the resources of reading, aided 
by sprightliness of wit and quick fancy, as well as 
by a genial, kindly temperament, she was alvvaj'S 
interesting in conversation. 

Our subject's circle of acquaintance in the 
Southern, AVestern and P.acific States of the Union 
was large, and in it she was held by all in the 
highest esteem. With her death were foiever lost 
many of the social, as well as historical, incidents 
connected with the advent of civilized men in 
western Missouri. She saw western Missouri in 
its state of nature, fresh from the occupancy of 
the Indians, and witnessed every step of its pro- 
gression from the wilderness to its present culture 
and civilization. 

Perhaps, from words drojjped by our subject 
some two months jirior to her death, her wish was 
to have gone in May — for her mother had died 
in May — but the time of her departure could 
not have been far from her desire, for it was in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



703 



midsummer, while the face of nature was wreathed 
in its freshest, brightest smiles, and when tlie wild 
roses — her own wild roses that she loved so well 
and that welcomed her to Missouri — were beauti- 
fying with their bloom every nook and dell and 
bosky bourne in the country. She died on Fri- 
day, June 25, 1886, at the residence of her son, 
Eugene B. Allen, in Leavenworth, Kan. (he re- 
sided there at the time), and was buried on the 
Sunday following (June 27lh), after funeral ser- 
vices at the Second Baptist Church, conducted by 
the Revs. Grandison Black and Benjamin G. Tutt, 
in the new cemetery in l^iberty, Mo. The mem- 
ory of her good deeds will live and bear rich fruit 
during man}' a year after her life's pilgrimage 
for— 

"Only the memory of the just 

Smells sweet, and blossoms in their dust." 



\|^ICKSON H. O'BRYAN, a prominent res- 
I Jjj ident of Chariton Count}', located on 
^^f^ section 8, township 53, range 16, has not 
only been a successful agriculturist, but 
also has gained prominence in various offices of 
honor which have been entrusted to him. He was 
born in Cooper County, Mo., in 1829 and is a son of 
Turner and Elizabeth (Hall) O'Bryan. The father 
was born in North Carolina in 1790, and the mother 
in Bourbon County, Ky., in 1803. The grand-par- 
ents of our subject were born in the States above 
mentioned, but the great-grandfather, Thomas 
O'Bryan, came from Ireland to America and fought 
in the Revolutionary War under Washington. 
Our subject's father had two brothers who fought 
in the War of 1812 under Gen. Harrison, and 
one of the uncles of our subject has been very 
prominent in the political life of the State of 
Missouri, where he lias held a position in the Leg- 
islature. 

Our subject is one of a family of eleven chil- 
dren, six of whom are now living, the record of 
the brothers and sisters of our subject being as 
follows: Nancy, who was born in Kentucky, is de- 



ceased; Redick, who was born in 1819, married 
Miss Allie Bell and resides in Randolph County, 
Mo.; Eveline, born in 1821, married Eli Ferris 
and resides in Missouri; James, whose birth oc- 
curred in Kentucky in 1823, died at the age of 
fifty-live; Perry, born in 1825, married Elizabeth 
Mitchell, who died in 1888; Caleb, born in 1827, 
married Catherine Robinson, and they reside in 
Arkansas; Thomas, born in 1831, died in 1832; 
Henry, who was born in 1833, died in 1835; 
Turner, who was born in 1839, married Miss Mary 
Givens and they reside in Morgan County, Mo.; 
and Jourdan, born in 1811, married Matilda Giv- 
ens, and they live in Indian Territorj'. 

In 1853, our subject married Miss Mattie Harrel- 
son, who was born in Sheridan County, Mo., in 
1835, a daughter of James Harrelson. The follow- 
ing is the record of the children born of this union: 
Emma J. was born in Chariton County in 1854, 
and resides in this county; Cassius was born in 
1857 and died in 1876; John, whose birth occurred 
in 1859, resides in Johnson County, Mo.; Xerxes, 
born in 1861, married Martha O'Bryan; Mary 
E., who was born in 1863, married William Eston 
and resides in Sheridan County, Mo.; Jourdan, 
born in 1865, is a resident of this State; James 
was born in 1867 and died in 1870; Andrew, who 
was born in 1869, died in 1891; and Nancy, born 
in 1871, married Willie Bradley and resides in 
Randolph Count}', Mo. These children have all 
had the advantages of the common schools and 
have grown to maturity intelligent and upright. 

Our subject was educated in the common 
schools of Cooper County, Mo., and completed his 
course at the age of twenty-three, when he began 
farming in Cooper County for his father. The first 
piece of land which he owned was in Sheridan 
County. It was purchased in 1853 and consisted 
of eighty acres of unimproved land, for which 
he paid $3.75 per acre. .The next tract purchased 
was located in the same section and comprised 
forty acres, the price being $6 per acre. Later 
a tract of eight acres was purchased at 812.50, and 
then a forty-acre tract at $1.50 an acre. At the 
present time he owns a farm of one hundred and 
seventy-three acres, which he values at i^30 per 
acre, his gross receipts being 551,000 per year. 



704 



tOUTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Although one brother of our subject is a minis- 
ter of the Christian Church, our subject and his 
children belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church 
South, of which denomination Mrs. O'Br^'an was a 
valued member during life. She passed away in 
1887. Mr. O'Bryau belongs to the Masonic order, 
having taken a great interest in the work of the 
lodge in his vicinity. Politically, he belongs to 
the Democratic party and slanchly upholds its 
principles upon every occasion. For eighteen 
years he has been a Justice of the Peace and for 
two years served as Counlj^ Judge. During the 
war he entered the Stale militia and served for 
one week. Although he remained at home during 
that great conflict, he w.as never molested or in- 
sulted. 



^HE JEFFERSONIAN was founded by 
Samuel Lowe eight years ago. Mr. Lowe 
was a minister of the Gospel, belonging to 
the Christian Church. He was a very able editor, 
Democratic in principle, but his opinions upon the 
liquor traffic stood higher than his Democracy, so 
that the Jeffersonian under his management was a 
free-lance. He died three years ago and at that 
time the following appeared in the Jeffersanian: 

Mr. Lowe was a native of Indiana, and was 
born at Greensburgh, February 19, 1831. At an 
early age, he embraced the Christian faith, and in 
1853 he was ordained an Elder of that church, and 
zealouslj' pursued that calling to the da}', when, 
ttlling his appointment away from home, he was 
stricken with disease that culminated in death. 
His aptitude and passion for journalism led him to 
associate that work with the ministiy. After his 
transfer to Missouri, he conducted a paper in At- 
chison County, later one at Lathrop, and three 
years since decided to make his permanent home 
in Plattsburgh, after which he conducted the 
JeffersoHian, and with marked ability and suc- 
cess. Mr. Lowe died at this place. May 29, 1889, 
and his remains now rest in the new cemetery. 

The Jeff'ersonian is a monument to the ability of 
Mr. Lowe. All of our citizens remember with 
what fearlessness he denounced everything which 
was wrong and advocated everything which he 
considered as riijlit. After his death, his widow. 



Aunt Millie Lowe, conducted the Jeff'ersonian for 
some time, when it passed into stranger hands. 

After the death of Samuel Lowe, the paper was 
conducted for a time under the management of 
his widow, Mi's. Millie Lowe, as mentioned above. 
In August, 1889, it was sold to A. M. Gustin, 
who conducted it for a short time, then sold it 
to B. Ross, now of the Cameron Sun. Mr. Ross 
in turn sold it to A. M. Gustin and Connelly 
Harrington on the 1st of April, 1890. In Au- 
gust, 1890, Mr. Gustin sold his interest to L. P. 
Kemper, and the paper has been under the con- 
trol of Harrington & Kemper since that time. 
The Jefferson/an is a prosperous Democratic paper 
and on a firm financial basis. 

Connelly Harrington is a Missourian b}' birth, 
having been born December 4, 1864, in Platte 
County, this State. He was educated in the com- 
mon country schools and at the old Daughters' 
College in Platte City, Mo. He began teaching 
school before he was sixteen years of age and studied 
law under Hon. R. P. C. Wilson, being admitted to 
the Bar in 1886. He went to Hailey, Idaho, and 
practiced law successfully, but the continued sick- 
ness of his mother compelled him to return. In 
April, 1890, he purch.ased a one-half interest in 
the Jeffersoni((n,sknd has been at its head ever since. 
In April, 1892, he was married to Miss Minnie 
Kemper. 

L. P. Kemper is likewise a Mis.sourian bj' birth 
and training. He is a practical printer, having 
for some eight jears served in a printing-office 
either as editor or workman. He is married and 
has two children. 



!^+-^P=— 



ri/_^ ON. LUCIUS SALISBURY, ex-Representa- 
llf )|^ tive and ex-Presiding Judge of Chariton 
1^)^ County, has for many years occupied a po- 
l^J) sition of influence in this portion of Mis- 
souri. Judge Salisbury is of I^nglish descent, his 
ancestors having been among those who early 
emigrated to this country and took part in the 
struggle for Independence. William, the grand- 
father of our subject, w.as born in New Jersey and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



705 



became a farmer tliere, but his death occurred near 
Boston, Mass. Tlie father of our subject, lion. 
Hclclier Salisbury, was born in 1790 in ^lassachu- 
setts, where he learned the trade of carpenter when 
a young man. Later he took part in the War of 
1812. For a time he resided in Brattleboro, Vt., and 
removed thence to West Randolph, where he owned 
three farms. A prominent man in public affairs, 
he served as Selectman, Justice of the Peace, and 
Representative to the Assembly. His connection 
with the Congregational Church, in which he was 
a Deacon, lasted man}- years. His death occurred 
in 1864, when he was seventy-four years of age. 

The mother of our subject, Nancy Lamson, was 
born in Vermont, and was the daughter of Thomas 
Lamson, a farmer of that State. He was one of 
the earliest settlers of West Randolph and was a 
soldier In the War of 1812, as were several sons. He 
could trace his ancestry back to old Congrega- 
tional stock in Massachusetts. Mrs. Salisbury died 
in 1828, at the early age of thirty-seven j'ears. 
Three brothers and one sister grew to maturity, but 
all are gone except one sister, Laura, who resides 
at the old homestead. The oldest brother, Phi- 
lander, was Captain of the St. Louis Rangers in the 
Mexican War, and died from exposure. Thomas 
died in Indianapolis, Ind. 

Our subject was the second youngest of the 
family and was reared on the farm adjoining West 
Randolph. He was educated in the common 
schools of his native place, which were held in log 
buildings, but the teachers were generall}' educated 
men, and the advantages excellent for the time. 
Many are the pleasant memories that cling around 
the old red schoolhouse at tlie foot of the sandhill. 
Later he was sent to the High School at Braintree. 
Mr. Salisburj^-emained at home until the age of 
nineteen, and then started on a Western trip. The 
journe}' was made by Lake to Chicago, then by 
stage to Peoria, 111., and from there to St. Louis, 
which he reached in August, 1843. 

Philander S-ilisbury was in business iu St. Louis, 
and to this brother Lucius came, and engaged with 
him as a clerk for two years. In 1845 he went to 
Keytesville, Mo., and remained there as a clerk for 
a year, at the end of which time, he, with William 
E. Hill, now a banker of this place, bought out the 



brothers of Mr. Salisbury, and conducted a general 
mercantile business under the firm name of Salis- 
bury & Hill, and still later as L. .Salisbury & Co. 
This business was continued for thirteen years. 

In 1858 our subject located on a farm eight 
miles east of Keytesville, which he had bought two 
years before. The tract was military land, and the 
purchase was three hundred and twenty acres for 
8400. This land became the site of the present 
city of Salisbury, which was laid out in 1860. Six 
years later our subject began farming and stock- 
raising and at one time had over twelve hundred 
acres of valuable laud. In 1865 he built a store 
and the Rock Building. The first post-office of the 
place was under his charge, and Mrs. Salisbury, a 
lady of refinement and culture, was the assistant 
and attended to the mails, which were at that time 
carried in a basket. For ten years our subject con- 
ducted a store at this place, but increasing public 
duties forced him into a wider field. He has sold 
all but eleven hundred and thirty-four acres of his 
land, and has found it necessarj^ and profitable to 
add a second and third addition to his town. Ten 
hundred and fift3'-five acres in one body and all 
fenced comprise the greater part of the Salisbury 
farm. This bit of choice laud is located in Cock- 
erell Township, eleven and one-half miles from 
Salisbury. Nine hundred acres are rich bottom 
land and the Judge has raised many fine cattle, 
thoroughbred and Shorthorns. 

Judge Salisbury was the original President of 
the Salisburj- Fair Association, but a cj-cione de- 
stroyed the buildings upon the grounds. His pen 
wrote the first communication to St. Louis in re- 
gard to the Northern Missouri Railroad, and he 
called the meeting that organized the West 
Branch Road at Brunswick, and took §5,000 in 
stock. He was a Director of the Chariton iV Ran- 
dolph Railroad and also of the M. ife M. Road, 
both of which are now merged into the Wabash. 

Our subject was married in Braintree, Vt., April 
13, 1847, to Miss Harriet Newell Hutchinson, who 
was born there and is the daughter of Nathaniel 
Hutchinson, a large farmer and business man of 
Braintree. Five children were born into the 
family, but only three survived to maturity. Alice 
C, niarried and died here; Arthur enjoys the dis- 



706 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRArHICAL RECORD. 



tinction of having been the first male child born 
in this place, and is now a prosperous farmer of 
this country; Ilattie H. married E. L. Hogan, who 
is in tiie employ of the Wabash Railroad and re- 
sides in Moberly, Mo. 

In 1850 our subject was elected Presiding. Tudge 
of the Chariton County Court, with Probate Juris- 
diction, but after four years of service he would 
not accept a re-election. In the disturbed con- 
dition of affairs in 1861, when Gov. Gajnble ap- 
pointed our subject Presiding Judge of tlie county, 
he accepted the appointment against the advice of 
friends, and had some serious adventures after-, 
ward, being obliged several times to leave the 
county, and receiving an injury to his knee which 
prevented his accepting the offer of Gov. Gamble 
to make him the Major of a regiment. 

In 1862 Judge Salisbury was elected to the Leg- 
islature and received every vote of the county 
without opposition. In 1864 the Republican nom- 
inee did not get a vote, and in 1866 our subject was 
again elected. In 1868 he was a candidate for 
Speaker, but the Republicans were in tlie majoritj'; 
however, he received the full Democratic vote. 
Judge Salisburj' had a long and honorable career 
in tlie House, having served for nine sessions, 
and being termed the Father of the House. His 
service on important committees was well known, 
and the bills which he introduced have been well 
considered. He was the originator and promoter 
of the bill to put through the railroad here, and 
Daniel R. Garrison, ex-Vice-president of the Mis- 
souri Pacific Railroad, gives him the credit of mak- 
ing the road. Ilis position in all Democratic meas- 
ures was at the front and he was Chairman of the 
Democratic Caucus. From 1861 to 1863 he was 
the County Judge. Until the candidacy of Stephen 
A. Douglas our subject was a Wliig. In 1870 he 
lacked but few votes of receiving the Democratic 
nomination for Congress from the then Tenth Dis- 
trict. He has been a member of the Masonic order 
for many years. The township and town are named 
in his honor. The lady whom he married is a cap- 
able, intelligent woman, and the record of his life 
would be ineom|)lete without mention of her who 
has assisted and encouraged him when days were 
dark. 



The grandfather of Mrs. Salisbury was named 
Nathaniel and was born in Sutton, Mass., and died 
in Vermont. His father was Bartholomew, a native 
of Massachusetts. The father of Mrs. Salisbury 
was a fanner and business man and also a promi- 
nent Mason for fifty years. He was in the battle 
of Plattsburg during the War of 1812, and died in 
Vermont, aged eighty-four years and six months. 
In religious belief he was a member of the Chris- 
tian Church. He was a Democrat in his politics, 
and a firm supporter of the principles of that party. 

The mother of Mrs. Salisbury was Nancy Ken- 
ney, and was born in Vermont, a daughter of Jesse 
Kenney. The death of Mrs. Nathaniel Hutchinson 
occurred in August, 1865, at the age of seventy-five 
years. Mrs. Salisbury is the }'oungest and only 
child living of the family, and has participated in 
many exciting scenes by the side of her husband. 
During the early days of the war she had sometimes 
to carry the mail a long distance, as no one else 
would take the risk of making the trip back and 
forth from Huntsville in a one-horse buggy, the 
only buggy owned in that part of the county. 
This was an undertaking which only a woman of 
courage and nerve would liave attempted. 

In December, 1892, the subject of this sketch ex- 
changed his large stock farm in Cockerell Town- 
ship, Cliariton County, Mo., for a finel}" improved 
farm near Kenton, the county seat of Hardin 
County, Ohio, where he and his family now reside. 



W EONIDAS DUVALL is one of the live and 
I (j^ pushing business men of Ray County, his 
JL-^ ^ residence being on a small farm near the 
village of Richmond. He owns a farm of four 
hundred and eighty acres in Grant Township, and 
is now arranging a stock farm with the view of 
going into the breeding business more extensively. 
He has handled and made a specialty of fine 
mules, having some of the best animals in the 
State. These have brought him from $50(1 to 
$2,00(1 apiece at various times of sale. 

Mr. Duvall was liorn in Culpeper County, Va,, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD. 



707 



September 26, 1838, and is a son of Isaac and 
Sarah (Jefifries) Diivall, both of whom were also 
natives of the Old Dominion, in which State tliey 
were married. It was in 1844 tliat they removed 
to ]{a\' County, settling on the farm where Mr. 
Diivall, Sr., resided until his death on April 17, 
1879. Our subject's mother died many years 
previously, the year after her arrival in Missouri. 
As the gentleman of whom this is a brief life 
record was only a lad of six j'ears when he came 
to this region, he has practically spent his life in 
this county. On arriving at a suitable age lie en- 
tered the neighboring scliool and worked on his 
father's farm until attaining liis twenty-first year, 
wlien he began in business for himself at farming, 
but has always traded and dealt in live stoclc, 
shipping mules, cattle and hogs quite exteusivcl}- 
to tlie city mari^et. He continued actively en- 
gaged in farming until 1875, when he sold his 
place and purchased thirty-one acres in the sub- 
urbs of Richmond, where he has now a substan- 
tial brick residence, and has for several years en- 
gaged in breeding fine pedigreed mules. To-day 
he has the finest lot of mules in the State. One 
especially fine animal called the "Cr<iwn Prince" 
was bred by AVilliam Stigall, of Kentucky, and 
stands fifteen and one-fourth hands high. Few 
men in the State have spent the time and money 
that our subject has in the introduction of fine 
stock into Missouri, and he has acquired a wide 
reputation as the head of breeders in the North- 
west. He is greatly interested in thoroughbred 
running horses and spends a great deal of time in 
looking up notably fine animals. His judgment 
is unsurpassed in the business, and he is regarded 
as authority- on fine stock. 

Mr. Duvall has been twice married, taking as his 
first wife Miss INIary S. Goss, and after her death 
he married Mi.ss Maiinda Page, of Clinton County, 
Mo., a daughter of A. H. Page, a prominent and 
infiuential man in tiiat portion of the State. Three 
children have been born of this marriage: Albert 
P. and Will P., twins, now fifteen years old; and 
Ella May, a bright little seven-year-old girl. Our 
subject IS interested in land and stone in Clay 
County of this State, and, in short, is one of the 
enterprising men of the great Northwest, who 



have succeeded in doing so much for the country. 
As a man he is held in high respect, as he is one 
who keeps his word and is fair and upright in his 
dealings with his fellow-men. 



^>^^<l 



tiHOMAS FERGUSON. Through the exer- 
cise of good judgment in the management 
of his agricultural affairs, Mr. Fergurson has 
gained prosperity, and his home, which is one of 
the best in Chariton County, is located on section 
23, township 54, range 17. He is a native of the 
county, having been born in Buffalo Lick Town- 
ship, in 1827. His parents, Isham and Julia (Ken- 
ney) Ferguson, were natives respectively of Scot- 
land and Maryland. Our subject's father was in 
the War of 1812, as was his grandfather, who 
served in the Revolutionary War and received 
land warrants when peace was declared. 

Our subject is one of nine children, three of 
whom are living: Sarah, who was born in Ken- 
tucky, first married a Mr. Bindle, and after his 
death became the wife of Mr. Summers, who also 
died; she afterward married a Mr. Gunnell, and 
her death occurred January 27, 1893. John A. was 
born in Missouri in 1829, and married a Miss 
Moore, who is deceased ; and Medford, who was born 
in Missouri in 1833, married a Miss Arhart, and 
resides at Salisbury. Our subject received his ed- 
ucation in Chariton and Howard Counties, Mo., 
leaving school at the age of sixteen, when he went 
into Mexico for the purpose of enlisting in the 
army to fight the Mexicans; but he was rejected 
on account of his youth, and was placed in the 
commissary department. After remaining there 
for thirty months, he I'eturned home. 

Life passed uneventfully on the home farm until 
the California gold fever broke out, at which time 
Mr. Ferguson proceeded to the diggings and 
stayed for three years. Upon his return he settled 
upon a farm about one-half of a mile from his 
present place, where he bought three-fourths of a 
section, worth $1.25 an acre. To this he added 
from time to time, until he now has no less than 
twenty-one hundred acres. A portion of his prop- 



708 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



erty is worth $60 per acre, aud the remainder as 
much as 120 per acre. In cereals he makes a spec- 
ialty of wheat and corn, and also devotes consid- 
erable attention to stock, the gross receipts of the 
farm being about $2,000 per j'ear. 

Our subject was married in 1853 to Miss Elliott, 
a native of Missouri, and their union was blessed 
with six children, two of whom are living: Alice, 
who was born in 1855 in Chariton County, Mo., 
married Robert Patterson, of this county; and 
Sterling P. married a Miss Anthony, residing in 
Chariton County. Mr. Ferguson's first wife died 
in 1880. Seven years later he married a Miss Tay- 
lor, of Salisbury Township, .and they have one 
child, Thomas, born in 1889. 

In politics Mr. Ferguson is a Democrat, and 
takes much pleasure in the success of that party. 
During the war he served in both the Confederate 
and the Union armies. He is one of the .most 
prominent and highly esteemed citizens of Chari- 
ton, descended as he is from one of the oldest citi- 
zens of the county, and, like his father, a large 
owner of real estate, although he has not, like liim, 
done much in the way of selling laud. His orch- 
ard is one of the largest in the .State, and contains 
thirty-five liundred apple and many other varieties 
of fruit trees. 



*^^^! 



Ie'^-?; 



IM^ 



^^^EORGE I. WASSON wjis born September 
((( c-~ 19,1819, in Wilson County, Tenn., where 
^^Jj he lived, assisting his father on the farm, 
until he was twenty-one j'ears of age. In 1840 he 
removed from Tennessee to Missouri and located 
in Richmond, Ray County, a stranger, young, 
without friends, without money, and with no re- 
sources save his indomitable energy, pluck, perse- 
verance and habits of sobriety and economy. The 
young Tennesseean was not long in making "troops 
of friends." His affability, good nature and gen- 
erous, obliging disposition soon gained for him the 
esteem of all around him and he was not long in 
finding employment at once congenial, responsible 
and remunerative. Shortly after his arrival he was 
appointed Deputy Sheriff of Kiiy County, and 



after holding this position, discharging its duties 
with credit to himself and to the entire satisfac- 
tion of his principal and the people, he entered a 
dry-goods store as clerk and continued this occu- 
pation about two years. He was then elected 
Constable of Richmond Township and held the 
office continuously till the year 1846, when, appre- 
ciating his steady habits, honesty, capacity and 
fidelity, the people elected him to the responsible 
oflice of Sheriff of the county, and at the close of 
the term, two years afterward, chose him as his 
own successor. 

In 1849, in connection with Joseph S. Hughes, 
Mr. Wasson opened a dry-goods store. He con- 
tinued in this business, meanwhile conducting a 
fine farm of six hundred acres near Richmond and 
dealing extensively in leaf tobacco, until in 1866. 
He was elected President of the br.anch of the Union 
Bank of Missouri located in Richmond, and served 
with efficiency in this capacity until 1865, in which 
year he embarked in the private banking business. 
He continued in this business about twelve j^ears, 
or until 1877, when he sold out and engaged in 
the leaf tobacco trade, packing, pressing and ship- 
ping, in which he w.is quite successful, but after 
about one year he resumed the mercantile business. 

In September, 1879, Mr. Wasson exchanged his 
store for the hotel formerly known as the Shaw 
House, which he has changed to the Wasson House. 
Mr. Wasson is now owner and proprietor of the 
Wasson House, which he has greatlj' improved. 
He is a man of great versa til itj', of strong natural 
common-sense, quick to comprehend, and of far- 
seeing sagacit}'. Knowingly, he never wounds the 
feelings of any man; he is ever the friend of pub- 
lic enterprise, of education and of whatever he 
believes to be conducive to the good of his friends, 
of the town in which he lives, or of his county. In 
whatever department of industry he is engaged he 
is the same genial, courteous and accommodating 
gentleman, of generous impulses, warm-hearted, 
sympathetic and kind. Hundreds of his fellow- 
citizens less fortunate than himself are indebted 
to him for deeds of charit}'. He has served as 
Director of the branch of the Union Bank of Mis- 
souri located at Lexington, Mo., and in 1868 he 
w.as elected Director of the Union National Bank 



PORTRAIT AND BlOGRAPinCAL RECORD. 



709 



of St. Louis, and remained an officer thereof until 
1874, at which time, the bank having failed, he 
was appointed to close up the business. 

October 22, 1842, George I. AVasson married 
Miss Angeline B. Child, a native of Madison 
County, N. Y. Mrs. Wasson is a refined and intel- 
ligent lad3', amiable, benevolent and affectionate, 
and mucii of the success attained by her husband 
is due to her cheerful disposition, good judgment 
and womanly virtues. Tliey have had two chil- 
dren, but both of them died in infancy. Mr. Was- 
son has been one of the most active and enterpris- 
ing business men Ray County ever had, and no 
individual has done more for its advancement or 
is now more closely identified with the county in 
all that pertains to its prosperity, wealth and de- 
velopment. 



\Y[OIIN W. PORD, an extensive agriculturist 
in Clay Count}', owns four hundred and 
twenty-six and oue-half acres of land in 
one body. Notwithstanding the disappoint- 
ments and discouragements which come to one 
and all alike, he has overcome them with courage 
and fortitude, until he now stands on the pinnacle 
of success. Mr. Ford was born in Fauquier County, 
Va., January 27, 1822, and is a sou of Austin Ford, 
of Virginia, who .saw long and hard service in the 
War of 1812, wlien lie was engaged in fighting the 
Florida Indians. He remained in the service until 
the close of the war; after returning to liis native 
State, he remained there for some time and then 
went back to Florida, where he married Miss Jane 
Allison, who was of French parentage and of 
a leading society family. Mr. Ford then went 
back to tlie Old Dominion, following his trade of 
a stone mason and there rearing his family of ten 
children, six boys and four girls, only two of whom 
are deceased. One of these, Thomas, was the father 
of "Bob" Ford, whoshot Jesse James, and the other, 
Arthur F., died at Excelsior Springs in 1885. 

Our subject is the third in order of birth in his 
father's family, and in his earl}- days was entirely 

36 



without 0[)portunity to obtain an education, for 
as soon as he was large enough to earn anything 
he was obliged to do so to help in the support of 
liis father's large family. In 1840 the father re- 
moved to Missouri and assumed the man.agement of 
a large tract of land in Clark County, and was over- 
seer of forty slaves, owned bj' a Virginian by the 
name of Lee. In July, 1841, this man came to 
Missouri and in an altercation over some trivial 
affair stepped behind Mr. Ford and struck him on 
the head with a club, from the effects <;>f which he 
died in two days, leaving our subject as the sole 
support of his mother and nine children, as the 
two older ones were girls and he was thus the 
head of the family. He worked by the month, re- 
ceiving from $10 to $12, and, like a dutiful son 
and brother, cared for them until lie was twenty- 
eight years of age. 

In 1850, John Ford set out for California with 
an outfit of five yoke of cattle, leaving Clark 
County on April 25, and arriving in Sacramento 
City on September 20 following. Selling his 
teams, he went further north into the mining dis- 
trict, prospecting and digging until the following 
February, when he left there and went to Feather 
River, where he worked on a ranch for nine 
months at $130 per month. He then purchased a 
mule team, having six animals, and worked at 
teaming, earning $20 per day. This was the start- 
ing point of his successful after career in a business 
way, as he managed to lay up considerable money. 

In 1857, Mr. Ford married Miss Ann Maria, 
daughter of John Story, of Clay County. The 
following children were the result of this union: 
William Ezra, Mary Jane, Georgiana, John II., 
Edwin and Luther. The two latter are at home, 
while John II. is at Lawson attending school. In 
September, 1887, Georgiana, a most amiable young 
lady, was taken ill with pneumonia and, though 
no efforts were spared b}' her parents for her re- 
covery, she passed away October 7. Her death 
was deeply mourned by her raanj' friends, and 
her place in the home circle can never be filled. 

In the late Civil War Mr. Ford took little part, 
but joined the State militia under Capt. Garth. 
However, he lost heavily on account of the de- 
struction of personal property during those times 



710 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of discord and trouble. From that aflliction he 
has recovered and has succeeded in accumulating 
a valuable estate. His farm is especially valuable 
for grazing purposes, and he therefore is a large 
feeder of cattle and hogs. Mr. and Mrs. P'ord are 
members of the Old Presbyterian Church, and in 
regard to the question of politics, the former is a 
strong Democrat. 



L. MOORE, a prosperous and enterprising 
agriculturist and well-known breeder of a 
high grade of Shorthorn cattle, has resided 
in the State of Missouri for over a score 
of years, and is now located in township 51, range 
2, section 2, Liberty Township, Clay County. Both 
the paternal and maternal ancestors of our sub- 
ject have been important factors in the upbuilding 
and advancement of our country. The grand- 
father was one of the heroes of the Revolutionary 
War and served bravely in the struggles of the 
American nation. Mr. Moore is the husband of 
Anna (Vance) Moore, and they have a family of 
two children. 

Our subject was born in 1812, and was many 
years the senior of his estimable wife, who was 
born in the year 1840. Mrs. Moore survived until 
1880. Our subject is a native of Kentucky and 
was born in Lewis County. Mrs. Moore's father, 
Mr. Vance, was a public-spirited and progressive 
citizen and held various official positions of trust, 
and was prominent in local politics. For many 
years he presided with ability as Circuit Judge in 
Ohio, and was widely known as a man of unswerv- 
ing integrity and honor. He was an accomplished 
and thorough scholar, and after an excellent pre- 
paratory education, completed in Ohio a course of 
sludj' in law. 

Mr. Moore came from his Kentucky liome to Mis- 
souri in 1870, and first locating in Warrensburgli, 
.lohnson County, finally settled in Clay County, 
where he now lives. His farm, "Woodeneath," of 
two hundred and forty acres is finely improved and 
fields an abundant harvest. In the handling of 
Shorthorn cattle our subject has been especially 



successful, and has engaged extensively in this 
profitable department of agricultural business. He 
was married in the year 1854 to Miss Eliza Steph- 
enson, who survived her marriage but five j-ears, 
passing away universally regretted in the year 
1859. He afterward married his present wife, who 
was a Miss Anna Eliza Vance. Mr. and Mrs. Moore 
were the parents of two children, E. D. and Anna 
Belle. Anna Belle Moore, a bright and intelligent 
lady, was born in 1862, and arriving at early 
womanhood was united in marriage to D. J. M. 
Adkins, a well-known and prosperous citizen. 
Mrs. Adkins lived to become the mother of one 
child, a daughter, Hazel, and died in 1890 when 
but twentj'-four years of age. 

Our subject is a member of the order of the 
Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, in good and 
regular standing. In his political affiliations, he is 
an ardent Democrat, and a very firm believer 
in the true Jeffersonian principles. Although 
never aspiring to political promotion, Mr. Moore 
is always interested in the local and national 
management of affairs. He and his family are 
members of the Presbyterian Church, and have 
ever been foremost in the good work of that re- 
ligious organization. A citizen, useful, upright 
and efficient in all the duties of life, a friend true 
and steadfast, and a neighbor kind and obliging, 
our subject has deservedly won the esteem and 
confidence of the community among whom he has 
made his home for so many years. 



<|i7 UTHER LOGAN, a manufacturer of boots 
;| ^ and shoes at Salisbury, and also a Notary 
1 1^-^ Public, is one of the prominent old settlers 
of the city. He was born in Greenfield, Highland 
County, Ohio, March 28, 1836. His grandfather, 
George Logan, was born in Ireland and emigrated 
to this country with his parents, settling in Penn- 
sylvania. During the Revolutionary War he 
served with valor. For a time he resided in Ohio, 
but spent his last days in Kosciusko, Ind. 

After the Revolutionarv War was ended. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



711 



Grandfather Logan had a visitor who was a fellow- 
countryman and a Tory. In talking of the great 
struggle just ended, tlie Tory said, "If King 
George should return to this country, I would be 
the first man to help him retake thelhiited States." 
This remark was too much for the man who had 
fought for seven years to gain the independence 
of the States, and forgetting the duties to a guest, 
which are generally dear to an Irish heart, he un- 
ceremoniously picked up the Tory and pitched 
him into the fire. This cleansing i)rocess was wit- 
nessed by his wife, and the unlucky Tory was 
rescued by the good lady, or things might have 
been serious for him. He probably learned, how- 
ever, what American patriotism meant. 

The father of our subject came to Ohio when a 
j'oung man, and engaged in his trade of engraver 
at Greenfield, Ohio. He passed the last fifteen 
jears of his life on a farm in Old Frankfort, where 
he died at the age of eightj^-eight years. In 1840 
he was the only man in the township who voted 
for James G. Birnej^ and during his entire life he 
was a strong Republican. Anyone knowing his 
strong, earnest character would not be surprised to 
learn that he belonged to the Old-school Presby- 
terian Church, in which he was an honored Deacon. 
His name has been a favored one in the State of 
Illinois, for there his cousin John was the idol of 
the people. 

The mother of our subject, Maria (Blaine) Lo- 
gan, was married at the age of fifteen years to her 
wooer of twenty, and lived to be thirty-eight 
j'cars old. She was born in Pennsylvania, and 
was the daughter of John Blaine, a native of Ire- 
land, and a descendant of the same branch as that 
to which James G. Blaine belonged. John became 
a farmer in Pennsylvania, later in Ohio, and still 
later he located near La Fayette, Tippecanoe 
County, Ind., where he died when about seventy- 
five years old. There were five children born of 
this union, but two of whom grew to maturity. 
Dr. John M., who was a Surgeon in the One Hun- 
dred and Eleventh Ohio Infantry from 1862 to the 
close of the war, was a graduate of Ann Arbor and 
now practices his profession at Grand Haven. 

Our subject was reared at Greenfield until he 
reached the age of thirteen years, lie was edu- 



cated in the Greenfield schools, and at thai early 
age was reading Latin. The family then located 
on a farm in Ross County, and since that time the 
education of our subject has been self-obtained. 
At the age of fifteen he was apprenticed to a shoe- 
maker in Greenfield and later at Good Hope, in 
Fayette County. ^A,fter he had thoroughly' learned 
the trade, he started a shop on his father's farm 
and continued there until he married. 

July 4, 1859, was the date of the marriage of 
our subject to Miss Mary J. Barkley, who was born 
in Fayette County, the daughter of Henry Barkley, 
a farmer and stockman of Ross County. After his 
marriage Mr. Logan went to Danville, Ohio, where 
he kept an hotel, and later removed to Georgesville 
in Franklin County, where lie worked at his trade 
until in March, 1867, when he came to this State. 
In the northeastern part of Chariton County, in Bee 
Branch, he bought a farm comprising eighty acres 
of wild land, which he improved and there en- 
gaged in farming and stock-raising. 

For seven years our subject taught school in 
Bee Branch. He has been a Notary Public since 
1872 and served as Justice of the Peace for sev- 
eral years. AVhen the township was organized he 
was a leader, with his colleagues, in all of the im- 
provements, such as grading roads and building 
bridges, etc. A lawyer, so far as knowledge of 
legal technicalities was concerned, he found his 
professional information most valuable, and con- 
ducted some important cases. In 1890 he was ap- 
pointed to take the census, and in December of 
that year he sold his farm and moved into the 
city. Here he has since attended to his business as 
a Notary and has also superintended the manage- 
ment of his boot and shoe establishment. His res- 
idence is located on the corner of Lusher Street 
and East Broadwaj' and beside this he owns some 
eighteen lots. 

Nine children have been added to the familj- of 
Mr. and Mrs. Logan, all of whom are well and 
favorably known in their respective neighbor- 
hoods. Laura, who was educated at Kirksville, 
became the wife of William P. Davis, who is a 
merchant and farmer of Bynumville, Chariton 
Count}-; Strouder M., who is a graduate of Kirks- 
ville, is a |ji-omincnt lawyer of Grand Junction, 



712 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Colo.; Lavenia M. is now Mrs. J. H. Peiiin, of 
Marceline, Mo.; Flora A. is the wife of D. 
Brown, a farmer near Ilamden in Chariton 
County; IMinnie J. married W. J. Billeter, of By- 
numville, C'liariton County; Olive is the wife of a 
teaclier, E. J. IIa3'es, who resides in this place; 
Gertie, the wife of Joseph Ferguson, resides here; 
Charles T. is an engineer of the Model Mills; and 
Edna is at home. Mr. Logan is a member of the Pres- 
byterian Church, an Elder in the same, and while 
he resided in Bee Branch he was the Sunday- 
school Superintendent. In his political preference 
he is a true-blue Republican, outspoken in his 
views, and is one of the prominent members of his 
party at Salisbury. 



DROF. G. C. BRIGGS, Principal in charge of 
) North Missouri Institute, one of the most 
^ prominent and successful educators in the 
, \ State, is the subject of this sketch. He was 
born in Madison County, N. C, on the 25th of 
May, 1857. His grandfather, John, was an early 
settler in the Old North State, and there car- 
ried on agricultural pursuits successfully before 
the War of the Revolution came on. At that time 
the State was sparsely settled, but before his death 
he had a large cultivated estate there. In his relig- 
ious connection he was a member of the Baptist 
denomination. Tlie father was named W. K. 
Briggs and was also a native of North Carolina, 
where he became an eminently useful Baptist min- 
ister, and also carried on a successful farm, on 
which he still resides, at nearly seventy years of 
age, beloved and respected by all. 

The mother of our subject bore the maiden name 
of Lovada Shepherd, and was a native of North 
Carolina, and a daughter of .lames Siiepherd, who 
was a descendant of English ancestors. This beloved 
woman became the mother of twelve children, ten 
of whom are still living. Our subject is the fifth 
child of the family, was reared on the farm and was 
sent to the public schools. His early advantages for 
education were limited, but as he was ambitious and 
of studious mind he absorbed all that came within 



reach. At the age of seventeen years he entered the 
printing-otlice of the Bakersville Independent and 
continued there for a short time, when he went as 
clerk to Asheville. 

In the latter place our subject became a clerk 
and book-keeper and later entered the post-office as 
assistant, and there he was employed for two years. 
In 1879 he entered Wake Forest College, the State 
Baptist institution, which is one of the leading col- 
leges of tlie South. While here he was several 
times honored by the Library Society to which he 
belonged. He held successively the positions of 
business manager, associate and senior editor on tlie 
editorial staff of The Student, published by the two 
societies and acknowledged to be one of the best 
college magazines North or South. He was grad- 
uated in 1883 with the degree of A. B. 

At this time our subject took charge of the 
classes in (4reek, French and chemistry in Judson 
College, a Baptist institution of western North 
Carolina and held tiiis position until 1888, when 
he was called liere to open and take charge of the 
Salisbury Academy. For three years he had charge 
of this school, having opened with forty-eight 
students, and the third year the number was increas- 
ed to one hundred and eleven. The success of the 
school was so marked, and public appreciation so 
manifest, that patrons and students got up separ- 
ate petitions to the Board of Directors of the 
academy, asking that he be retained at the head of 
the school. Tlie majority of the Board, through 
blind prejudice, ignored the petitions and voted 
against his retention. Stejjs were taken immedi- 
ately to found North Missouri Institute, about 
which tiie Salisbuiy Press-Spectator of March 24, 
18i)3, has the following to say: 

"This prosperous institution of learning has just 
entered upon the spring term, which closes its sec- 
ond year under this name, and the fifth of its exist- 
ence, still the same in purpose, spirit and effort,and 
vmder the same regime. 

"It seemed fitting, and the urgency of the times 
demanded, that the metropolis of so large and 
flourishing a county as Chariton should found an 
institution for the higher education of her sons and 
daughters. The enterprise of her citizens com- 
passed the initial arrangements, and called Prof. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



713 



G. C. Briggs, a gradiifvle of Wake Forest (N. C.) 
College, with an experience of five years as pro- 
fessor in Judson College, who, with his accom- 
plished young wife, began the work here Septem- 
ber 10, 1888. 

"All similar enterprises have to meet their trials 
and reverses. These are the necessary concomi- 
tants of all life and existence. Some succumb, 
others rise toughened and trained by the experi- 
ence. This institution has had hers. Under all 
these she has advanced steadily each year. Suffice 
it to say, after three years of success, three things 
were demonstrated : her right to live, work, and grow. 
The first was profoundly appreciated by her friends; 
the second was seized by the Principal, faculty and 
students; the tliird was an inevitable result. 

"To-da}' the status of the North Missouri Insti- 
tute is stable, her work more thorough, and her 
future redolent with brighter hopes and more invit- 
ing possibilities than ever before in all her history. 
Her friends are united and intensely enthusiastic. 
One hundred and twenty-six pupils for this session 
stand enrolled to date, twelve of whom are 
teachers, eight from Chariton, two from lann, and 
two from Randolph ; so the patronage is larger, of 
more intelligent character, and from a wider field 
than ever. 

'•The departments have been wisely arranged to 
insure liberal, thorough and practical education. 
The music, art and elocution departments are 
crowded; forty-six in music and fifty-six in elo- 
cution evince the efflciency and popularity of 
these departments. 

"The salutary discipline has shown that the co- 
education of the sexes is not only feasible, but the 
fittest for the times and community. Tlie homelike 
arrangement for the boarding department for 
young ladies insures protection, iiappy society, ex- 
ceptional opportunities for sy.stematic study, and 
rare advantages for culture in polite manners un- 
der Mrs. Briggs. It is but fair to say that tiiis 
school has drawn to Salisbury a large number of 
valuable citizens; this it will continue to do as 
the school progresses, and as the students go out 
to represent the work and act as agents for the 
school. 

"The Principal early chose liis life work, gave 



to it thorough preparation, looked "Westward for a 
field, found one in .Salisbury, has stuck to his work 
with characteristic pertinacitj', better understand- 
ing the people and their needs, and with "good-will 
toward all and malice toward none," lakes hold of 
his work with firmer grip, and with his coadju- 
tors wishes to provide for the institute more and 
better buildings, to ina-ease the appa/raiuts, extend the 
library, meet the wants and demands for a normal 
department, and perfect the curriculum." 

In North Carolina in 1887 our subject was mar- 
ried to the accomplished daughter of A. P. Hines, 
Rosa I)., to whom he attributes much of iiis success. 
She is a graduate of the oldest female college of 
her native State and is Directress of the musical 
department of the North Missouri Institute. 

Prof. Briggs is a member of the Baptist Cluirch, 
a Democrat in his political opinions, belongs to the 
order of Knights 'of Pythias, and is highly re- 
garded in the community. 



/^EORGE B. OLDHAM is one of the promi- 
111 ,_^ ncnt and representative citizens of Chari- 
^^^4i ton County, and has served as a count}- 
official at various times. He has been prominentl}' 
identified with laj'ing out the subdivisions adjoin- 
ing Salisbury, and as Secretary of the corporation 
attended to everj'thing. Mr. Oldham is Casliier 
of the People's Bank, and Secretary of the Board 
of Directors of Salisbury Academy. He comes of 
an old and res()ected family, whose reputation for 
generations has been stainless. Mr. Oldham was 
born in Muscle Fork Township, this county, Feb- 
ruary 19, 1848. His paternal grandfather, Good- 
man Oldham, a native of Kentucky, was a promi- 
nent attorney and also followed agricultural 
pursuits in the Blue Grass Region. About the 
year 1831 he went to Howard County, Mo., and 
his murder en the Tith of April, 1885, was the sec- 
ond one perpetrated in Chariton Count3%to which 
he had come, iiaving purchased some land from 
Mordecai Lane. The payments had all been made 
with the exception of the last, and he was to re- 
ceive a warranty deed for the property, but when 



714 



POKTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



lie demanded it Mr. Lane could give him only a 
tax deed, as that was all the title he had. Mr. 
Oldham then brought suit against him for recov- 
ery of the money, and because of this litigation it 
was thought at tlie time that Mr. Lane was the 
murderer, though it was not an assured fact. Mr. 
Oldham was in Ke3'tesville, quietly sitting by the 
fire in the hotel, when the door was opened and 
some one sliot him in the back, liilling him in- 
stantly. Though Mr. Lane was arrested and con- 
fined in jail, two or three years passed before his 
trial, and he was then acquitted. Upon his death- 
bed, however, ho confessed to having killed him. 
Tlie wife of Goodman Oldham was formerly a 
Miss Jacltson, and her brother George having set- 
tled here in 1810, she rode out on horseback to 
visit him, and then returned the same way to Ken- 
tucky, which was her home. She lived to the ad- 
vanced age of ninety years, dying in 1883. 

Richard G., our subject's father, w.as born in 
Kentucky, and on removing to Missouri engaged 
in farming near Keytesville, afterward locating in 
Muscle Fork Township, where he operated a large 
farm. In 1861 he joined the Confederate cause, 
and was for one year in Shelby's brigade; he then 
returned to his farm, which he is still operating, 
tiiough now over seventy years of age. He is and 
lias been for years a hearty supporter of the Bap- 
tist denomination. Tiie mother of our subject, 
who was born in Chariton County, was in her girl- 
hood Laura Sportsman, daughter of .John Sports- 
man, of Kentucky. When onl^' nineteen years old 
lier father removed to this State, first locating in 
Howard County and later removing to tliis local- 
ity, engaging in farming and stock-raising in 
Keytesville Township for many years. 

Our subject is one in a family of five sons and 
five daughters. His eldest brother, John G., was 
in Price's raid in 1864 with our subject, and was 
made a prisoner of war at the same time. He is 
now superintendent of a lumber company in Kan- 
sas City. George B. of this sketch received but 
limited school advantages until past his fourteenth 
year, but a few jears after that he attended the 
McGee College, in Macon County, Mo. In tlie late 
war he was, as before stated, in the Confederate 
service under Gen. Price, taking part in the battles 



of CarroUton, Lexington, Westport, Newtouiaand 
other engagements. When near Osage River with 
his brother and father, he was captured b}' the 
Federals and sent to St. Louis. 

In the fall of 1865 our subject engaged in 
freighting with his own team, making four trips 
from Nebraska City to Ft. Kearney. He then re- 
turned home and went to college for a year, and 
at the age of twenty began teacliing in the north- 
ern part of the county, continuing as a teacher 
for nine years, a part of the time in the home dis- 
trict. During the summer he engaged in farming, 
and in the year 1887 was appointed Deputy Sher- 
iff under B. B. Davis, serving two years. In 1878 
he was nominated and elected on the Democratic 
ticket as County Collector, assuming the duties of 
that office .January 1, 1879. He was re-elected in 
1880, on the expiration of his term, serving until 
the change in the township organization. 

In tlie fall of 1882 Mr. Oldham located at Salis- 
bury, engaging in general merchandising, and two 
years later erected a brick store, 22x80. Since 
that time he has Ijeen much interested in real es- 
tate and the insurance business. With a few 
other citizens he organized a corporation, laying 
out College Place Addition, Hereford Addition 
(where the academy is built), and Iledgepeth's Ad- 
dition, all of which have been built up largelv, 
and most of the propertj' sold. He was the finan- 
cial agent and secretary of the association. The 
Salisbury Academy was erected by them. About 
one hundred pupils attend this institute at this time, 
and in 1892 the capacity of the building was in- 
creased. In January, 1889, Mr. Oldham organized 
the People's Bank with a capital stock of about 
$20,000, and was made Cashier, having held that 
position ever since. In Januaiy, 1892, the capital 
stock was increased to $50,000, the President being 
J. B. Hyde. 

In Keytesville Township, January 6, 18G9, Mr. 
Oldham married Helena H., daughter of T. F. 
Chrane, a Confederate soldier and a prominent 
farmer of this count}^ He was born in Copen- 
hagen, Denmark, and was only about eight years 
old when he came here with his parents. He was 
reared in Missouri, and w.as married in this county. 
Mr. Oldham and wife are the parents of three 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



716 



cliildren: Charles B., who is editor of the Salis- 
Ijury Denwci'at; Georgia, now Mrs. Paisley, resid- 
ing in Lincoln, III.; and Viola, who is attending 
the academy and lives at home. Our subject is 
fraternally a member of the Ancient Free &. Ac- 
cepted Masons, and of the Ancient Order of United 
AVorkmen, and religiously is a member of the 
Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He casts his 
ballot in favor of the Democratic party. 



J JAMES R. HOLMAN is a resident of Vibbard, 
Ray County, where for the past eight years 
I he has been engaged in general nierchan- 
dising. For manj' years previous to this he 

was an extensive bu3'er and shipper of live stock, 
and while in that occupation "was considered one 
of the most enterprising commercial men in the 
northern part of Missouri. He comes of an old 
and respected family of this State, his father hav- 
ing been one of the earliest settlers of this county. 
Our subject was born on August 15, 1849, in Ray 
County, his father, David, being a native of Tenn- 
essee. He came to this vicinity in 1828, settling 
on land which he entered of the Government three 
miles east of Vibbard. After his arrival here he 
married Miss Eliza, daughter of John Stone, who 
was also one of the pioneers of the county. Mr. 
Holman resided on the old homestead upon which 
he first located until the time of his death, about 
1881, or for over half a century, and his widow is 
still living at the old home. He was a member of 
the Christian Union Church, being actively inter- 
ested in its welfare, and politically, he used his 
right of franchise in favor of the Democratic party. 
James R. Holman is the eighth child in a family 
of nine, of whom six are now living. His bo3'- 
hood was passed in the home which was his birth- 
place, and his education was that afforded b}' the 
common schools. He later attended the Univer- 
sity at Columbia, Mo. After completing his stud- 
ies he engaged in farming up to the time of his 
marriage, in 1879, with Miss Jiliza Lanite, who was 
the daughter of Louis Lanite. By that union was 
born one cliild, a daughter. Ada. the wife of 



John Hill, who resides north of Richmond, in Ray 
County. Some years later Mr. Holman was united 
in marriage for the second time, when Miss Fannie, 
daughter of K. P. Tiffen, a well-known farmer of 
this count}', became his wife. One child, James 
N., who is attending school, has been born of tliis 
union. Mr. Holman is a member of Harmony 
Lodge No. 383, A. V. & A. M., and has always 
taken a great interest in the work of the fraternity. 
In every worthj' enterprise he has been a worker 
and a liberal supporter. He uses his right of fran- 
chise in favor of the Democracy', and is as active a 
partisan as can be often found in the ranks. On 
May 28, 1892, he was nominated for Sheriff of the 
county, and in the following November was elected 
to that important position, the duties of which lie 
is filling to his own credit and to the satisfaction 
of his constituents. Mr. Holman is numbered 
among the live business men of this community, 
and has met with signal success in whatever line 
or commercial calling he has adopted. In former 
years he often shipped for man}' successive months 
as high as one hundred carloads of live stock per 
month. Having passed his entire life in this 
county he is well known and thoroughly respected 
in all portions of the same, as he has used in all of 
his relations, whether liuancial or social, the ut- 
most integrity and straightforwardness of purpose 
and action. 



■)H£ DEMOCRAT PRINTING COMPANY. 

The members of this company are Cliarles 

B. Oldham and J. H Dismukes. Tliei)f?«o- 

crai was established in 1886, and the present firm 
in 1889. It is a Democratic journal of eight pages, 
six columns, and is issued weekly in the interest of 
the party, the county and the people. In connec- 
tion there is a job office, where the work done is 
of a superior quality and style. 

Charles B. Oldham is a son of George B. Old- 
ham, Cashier of the People's Bank. Our subject 
was born near Keytesville, and in 1882 came to 
this city with his father. He acquired a practical 



116 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



education in the public schools, after which he 
aided his father in the store. In 1886, realiz- 
ing that his education was not sufHcient for the 
demands of an active business life, he entered the 
Lincoln University, at Lincoln, 111., where he re- 
mained for two years, and then attended Ozark 
College, of Missouri, whicli was managed by the 
same president. On his return home Mr. Oldham 
purcliased an interest in the Democrat, which paper 
he has since continued in the capacity of business 
manager. 

J. E. Dismukes, the senior member of tlie firm, 
was born and reared in tiie Blue CJrass Region of 
Kentucky, and was partly educated in the public 
schools of Lexington, in that State. He came to 
Howard County, Mo., in 1868, where he farmed 
and taught in the public schools for seven years. 
In the year 1876, lie located in Salisbury and 
worked on the Pmssand Press-Spectatoi- until 1883, 
when he purchased a half-interest in the paper, the 
firm being Dismukes & Galleniore. He sold his 
interest four years later to the present owner, and 
purchased a half-interest in the Democrat, the firm 
then being Dismukes & Brown, but afterward was 
changed to Dismukes, Oldham cfe Co. He later 
sold his interest to Ashley Dameron, and in 1892 
again purchased a lialf-interest in the Democrat 
with his present partner. C. B. Oldham. 

iEV. WALTER TORNEY. The first mass 
ever held in Brook field was celebrated De- 
£*r\V. cember 20, 1859, by Rev. Father John J. 
iHogan, now Bishop of Kansas City, at the 
residence of Patrick Londrigan. After this mass 
services were held regularl}' once a month at the 
houses of James Tooey and Michael McGowan. 
Father Hogan first came to Centre Point by stage 
from Brunswick, Mo., by river from Jefferson City, 
and on tlie Missouri Pacific from St. Louis, where 
he tlien lived. He left the latter place September 
8, 1859, for Centre Point, which then contained 
but one house, used for a store and a dwelling. It 
was one of the characteristic towns on paper, so 
frequent in those days, and was located on the east 



fork of the Yellow Creek, in Linn County. This 
one house was owned by the Hannibal & St. 
Joseph Railroad. The merchant who occupied it 
having failed, the house was rented by Fatlier 
Hogan, and the services held there were attended 
by railroad laborers and backwoodsmen. 

Father Hogan was invited to the house of a back- 
woodsman, who treated him to a supper of squashes 
and melons, which were cut by a broken bit of 
scythe blade. The man had neither table, cutlery 
nor utensils of any kind, the puncheon floor serv- 
ing for table and chairs. The house taken bj' 
Father Hogan stood two feet above the ground on 
posts and the space beneath was occupied by hogs, 
whose squealing compelled him to finally abandon 
it for sleeping purposes; for, like Cawdor, they 
banished sleep. The railroad laborers kindly built 
him a small shant3% and here he entertained the en- 
gineers and others who came his wa}'. It was pos- 
sible for him to accommodate one or two persons 
in a measure of comfort, but when a crowd came 
he had to place them "side and side," heads and 
points. Centre Point was soon after abandoned 
and Brookfield was started, and about this time he 
purchased a horse called "John the Baptist," be- 
cause he had received it from an old Baptist 
preacher. The first church was built by Father 
Hogan, then living at Chillicothe, who had charge 
of it till he was made Bishop. 

Fathers Tucker, Brogan (who was drowned in a 
creek near the town that summer). Dodge and 
Welch each, in turn, carried on the work inaugu- 
rated by F'ather Hogan. Subsequently Father 
Torney built the schoolhouse, where three Sisters 
of St. Joseph have charge and instruct from seventy 
to eighty-five pupils. The good priest in charge 
has erected a new church edifice, with dimensions, 
on the outside, of 48x117 feet 10 inches, and which 
bears the name of the Church of the Immaculate 
Conception. The parish has increased from ninety 
to about one hundred and tliirty families since 
Father Torney tookcharge, January 1, 1879. For 
a time he was engaged in mission work, but for 
the past several years has devoted himself exclu- 
sively to his charge at Brookfield. 

Father Torney was born in County Cavan, by 
the side of Lough Sheelin, in tlie same region of 



POUTRAIT AND BIOGRAPmCAL RECORD. 



717 



couutry that Dean Swift lived when he wrote his 
famous works. He came to the United States 
when eighteen years old and was educated at 
Bonaventure College, a Franciscan institution lo- 
cated at Allegany, N. Y., where he received a full 
theological course, having completed a classical 
training at Dublin before leaving his native land. 
He w.as adopted by this diocese, and came to St. 
Joseph, where he was ordained in August, 1874, 
by Bishop Ilogan and assigned to the missions 
north of St. Joseph as far as Hamburg, Iowa. He 
devoted himself to this duty and to cathedral work 
at St. Joseph's for four years, when, by appointment 
of Bishop Hogan, he took charge of the Brookfleld 
parish. 

Right-Rev. John Joseph Hogan, Bishop of Kan- 
sas City, in a book entitled "On the Missions in 
Missouri from 1857 to 1868," says, that in June of 
the former year he turned his face toward North 
Missouri and took the North Missouri, now 
Wabash, Railroad as far as Warrenton, its terminus. 
It was his desire to go into the interior, where 
• there were no priests, and build a chapel or two as a 
nucleus for future congregations. Near Warren- 
ton men were bus}' grading the road, and a con- 
tractor with whom he was acquainted lent him 
a horse taken from a cart, a rather poor saddle an- 
imal, which bore him through Montgomer}', Au- 
drain, Randolph and Macon Counties. At Macon 
City he turned Westward toward Linn County- 
and while crossing the Chariton swamp was .ac- 
costed by a young man, who was riding a finely 
caparisoned steed. When he was told what the 
purpo.se of Father Hogan was, he said, "There are 
no Catholics here; why do you wish to erect a 
church?" and reply was made that lie and the 
priest might live to see the day when there were 
Catholics on every hill around that pl.ace. He re- 
sponded, "Yes, when the Cliariton runs upstream. 
Good-bye." 

The missionary passed through Linn and Liv- 
ingston Counties, and learning the needs of the 
people returned to Brunswick, going thence to St. 
Louis. In the following September he returned to 
Brunswick, and proceeded thence to Centre Point, 
a "paper" town in Linn County. After a brief 
residence tliere he learned, as he naively puts it, 



that "Centre Point was anj'thing but a centre 
point," so borrowed a horse and rode to Chilli- 
cothe, where there was at that time but a single 
Catholic, a lady who was the wife of an attorney. 
The good priest accepted an invitation to hold 
mass in her house and the entire audience consisted 
of himself and the family of his hostess. Mass was 
said for the first time, .as previouslv stated, at 
Brookfleld December 20, 1859. Besides Mr. 
Londrigan, James and Patrick Tooej', railroad 
contractors and residents of Brookfleld, were val- 
uable helpers in tiie building of the church, which 
Wiis begun in 1860, and dedicated in August of 
that year. 






11^^- 



OBERTSON MOORE is to-day one of the 
oldest living early settlers in the coun- 
ties of Chariton and Howard, in the latter 
^^)of which he makes his home. He is like- 
wise one of its prominent men, having held manj' 
offices in these counties, and having been a wit- 
ness of the early pioneer da^'S. When only a lad 
of ten years, he commenced to cany the mails, 
and did so for four j'cars following, through the 
wilderness to old Franklin, F.ayette and Libert}'. 
The journeys between these towns were fraught 
with danger, as the countrj' was full of wild ani- 
mals and Indians. 

Mr. Moore was born in Kentucky, in the year 
1812, his parents being John and Rebecca (Rich- 
ardson) Moore, natives of North Carolina and 
Tennessee respectively, the latter's birth having 
occurred within one mile of the old Andrew Jack- 
son place. The father served in the War of 1812, 
and his ancestors, who were of Irish descent, were 
Revolutionary soldiers. The subject of this sketch 
is one of ten children, only four of whom are liv- 
ing. He was married in 1814 to the daughter of 
Samuel Maddox, of Kentucky, and to them was 
born one child in 1848, The latter, J. S., who 
married a Miss Hurt, was engaged in the liv- 
ery business until his death in 1887. His wife 
died in 1865. 

Robertson ^Moore received a common-school 



718 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



education, his studies being completed by his fif- 
teenth year, when he went in as a clerk in a store 
in old Chariton, remaining there for some time, 
and in 1844 engaged in farming. After following 
the life of a steamboat clerk for a short time, he 
purchased a piece of land in Chariton County, 
consisting of three hundred acres, for which he 
paid 110 an acre. This he greatly improved, put- 
ting up a good house, the old one having been 
burned, together with four barns, by the Federal 
soldiers. The same d.ay they also confiscated fif- 
teen head of horses. Mr. Moore has bought and 
sold large tracts of land, and at one time was the 
owner of about one thousand acres of farm land, 
which was principall}' situated in Chariton County. 
In addition to his industry as an agriculturist, he 
dealt largel3' in merchandise after the war, which 
business he carried on for three years and then 
sold out. Two of his improved farms for which 
he received $30 an acre are to-day worth $50 per 
acre. 

Politically, our subject is a Democrat, and on 
that ticket was elected to the ollice of Sheriff of 
Chariton County, which position he held for eight 
years, it being the same office his father had held 
in the Territory from 1819 to 1820. In 1856 Mr. 
Moore was elected to represent the county in the 
Legislature, to which he was sent for two sessions. 
All the members of that bod}' suffered severelj^ 
during the war, as their property was confiscated 
and many of them imprisoned. For many years 
Mr. Moore has been a member of the Baptist 
Church and an active worker in the same. 



OL. CHARLES H. WOODSON is a veteran 
of the late war, having risen to the rank of 
Lieutenant-Colonel in the Confederate 
army. He is one of the honored early settlers of 
Chariton Count}', of which he is now Deputy- 
Sheriff, and is also engaged in contract and build- 
ing work, with his headquarters at Salisbuiy. 

The Colonel was born in Howard County, Mo., 
December 20, 1841, and is a son of .loliii Woodson, 



a native of Cumberland County, Va. His grand- 
father, Richard Woodson, was a planter in the Old 
Dominion and of English descent. Our subject's 
father was a farmer by occupation and came to 
Missouri in a very early da\% taking up land which 
he improved near the village of Roanoke, Howard 
County, where he resided until his death in 1844. 
He participated in the War of 1812, and was an 
old-line Whig. His wife, who was born in Cum- 
berland County, Va., was in her maidenhood Miss 
Mary Webster; she was called from this life in 
1849. Of her eleven children who grew to mature 
years only five are now living. One son, Archer, 
went to Colorado in 1852, where he was success- 
fully engaged iumining,and he enlisted from that 
State in the Federal army. He was sent to Vir- 
ginia, and in the battle of Martinsburgh our subject 
captured him and as he was in command of the 
regiment he fell into his hands in regard to his 
disposal. He was paroled and given the limit of 
the camp until his exchange, which was afterward 
effected, and he is now, as formerly, a resident of 
Colorado. 

Tlie Colonel was reared in Howard Count}-, and 
was left an orphan when quite young. He was 
taken by Mrs. Ruth Lockridge, who adopted him 
and gave him common-school advantages. He re- 
mained with that lady until he was old enough to 
learn a trade, when he commenced at carpenter 
work at Roanoke. On April 16, 1861, at the first 
tap of the drum, he volunteered in the State mil- 
itia for six months under Jackson, in Price's regi- 
ment. He took part in the battles of Carthage, 
Wilson Creek, Dry Wood, and Lexington, and 
after the engagement at Saux River was discharged 
and returned home. He was captured in Ran- 
dolph County and sent to St. Louis, then to Alton 
Military Prison, where he remained for two months. 
He managed to secure a butcher knife and tunneled 
a distance of many feet under the walls, and 
by this means made his escape to Baltimore, Md. 
He enlisted in the Seventh Virginia Cavalry, 
Company D, of the Confederate service, in the 
spring of 1862, as a private soldier under Col. T. 
Ashby. In that campaign he took part in the bat- 
tles of Winchester, Harper's F'erry, Martinsburgh, 
Bunker Ilill, Ruder Hill and New Market. From 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



719 



the fall of 1864 the Colonel took command of the 
Sixty-second Virginia Regiment and went on a 
raid from Lynchburg through the Kanawha Valle}' 
and Ihence to AVlncIiester. He was commander of 
the regiment till the close of the war and 
was commissioned Lieutenant-Colonel of the 
same. He was present at the siege of Richmond 
and when that stronghold was evacuated he 
went with the army to Appomattox Court House, 
leaving the same morning with the regiment for 
Blue Ridge. At the end of ten da^'s he received 
notice from the General that the army of north- 
ern Virginia had surrendered and that it was the 
dut}' of all commanding officers to do likewise. 
Accordingly he surrendered in April, 1865, to 
Gen. Hancock, and at once returned home. He 
was once, while in command of the regiment at 
New Market, struck b3' a piece of shell, and at an- 
other time, while cheering the soldiers on to the 
capture of a battery, he was cut across the breast, 
knocked twenty feet and was taken to the hospi- 
tal while insensible, but at the end of ten days he 
was able to rejoin his regiment, though he still 
suffers from the effects of the bleeding from the 
lungs. At the battle of Charleston, while charging 
the earthworks, his horse fell, pitching him forward, 
and he received a sabre wound in the forehead. 
He made his escape, as his regiment held the place 
and he went right on with them. At Cumberland, 
Md., our subject was in command of two compan- 
ies, capturing Gen. George B. Crook and twenty- 
one other staff officers. The former was ex- 
changed for the son of Gen. Lee, but during the 
time Gen. Crook was held a captive he became 
verj' friendly with Col. Woodson and the friend- 
ship was kept up in later years, and some time 
afterward our subject gave Crook the sword which 
he had surrendered. 

On returning from the war Col. Woodson came 
to Salisbury and in the fall of 1865 engaged in 
his former work as a carpenter, which he followed 
steadily' for two 3'ears. In 1867 he wedded Mrs. 
Julia Doxey, who was born in St. Louis and is a 
daughter of Philander Salisbury, of that city. 
Soon after his marriage Col. AVoodson located on 
a farm of three hundred acres, which he engaged 
in ouUivuting for three \ears, when, on account of 



his wife's health, he returned to Salisbury and has 
since rented his homestead. He has contracted 
and built man}^ wooden and iron bridges in this 
vicinity. Our subject has been honored with a 
number of local positions; in 1865 he was made 
Deputj' Constable and in the fall of that year was 
Deput}' Sheriff under Sheriff Kinzie Be.ach and 
has served in thatcapacit}' up to the present time. 
For several terms he was Deputj'-Marshal and 
was Marshal for nearly two years. He is a mem- 
ber of the State Confederate Association and has 
been a member of the County Democratic Commi- 
tee, having been also sent as a delegate frequently 
to county and State conventions. His one son, 
Clarence, is a eleik in the Salisbury Lumber Com- 
pany. 

s • ' '^^^■C T >t^~~ §) 

AMUEL JOHNSON, a well-known and suc- 
cessful agriculturist of Chariton County, 
Mo., is the subject of the present sketch. 
He is pleasantlj' located on section 25, town- 
ship 53, range 18, in this tine old county, where 
he still retains one hundred and sixtj' acres of 
land, and upon which he has erected a modern 
two-storj' residence, containing seven rooms, at a 
cost of i!.3,000, and has surrounded the home with 
convenient and attractive outbuildings suitable 
for comfort. Our subject was born in Howard 
County, Mo., in 1820, and is the son of Samuel 
and Matilda Johnson, natives of Madison County, 
Va., where the grandparents were also born. Our 
subject is one of a family of four children, as fol- 
lows: Polly, vvho was born in Virginia in 1812, 
married William Jones, and they resided in Chari- 
ton County until she died, in 1864; Elizabeth, 
who was born in 1815, married Nelson Freeman 
and resided in Chariton County until her death, 
in March, 1888; Sallie, born in 1817, married 
Grandville Botts, and they also resided in Chari- 
ton County, where she died in 1882. 

The mother of our subject married a second 
time, Thomas Cravens becoming her husband, and 
by this marriage there were born six children, all 
of whom are now deceased. Our subject was edu- 
cated in the common schools of Howard County, 



720 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Mo., the school houses being built of logs, where 
the children received their instruction under many 
difficulties. He married Barbara Hershe3', a na- 
tive of Montgomer}' County, Md., January 2, 
1845. She was born in 1823, a daughter of David 
and Magdalene Hershey. The following children 
were born to our subject and wife: Evaline, born 
in Fayette, Howard County, Mo., March 31, 1847, 
married William T. Spence, and they have a fam- 
ily of three children and live in Kansas, where 
Mr. Spence is a farmer; David, born in Chariton 
County in 1849, married Miss Betty Niekerson, 
who died in 1880, and he then married Miss Ham- 
ilton, and they have a family of four children. 
The next member of the family was George T., 
born in 1851, and married to a Miss Lamb. They 
reside in Chariton County and have one child; 
William, a farmer, born in 1853, married Miss 
Blake}', resides in Chariton County and has a 
family of six children; Christian, a farmer, born 
in this county, May 22, 1856, married Ethel Hayes 
and has five children; and Mary E., born September 
29, 1861, married .J. H. Mason, and thej' had one 
child, who died in 1887. Mr. Mason is a farmer 
and teacher. 

In 1848 our subject located in Chariton County, 
renting a place for two j'ears, but at the expira- 
tion of that time he purchased from Henry Mar- 
shall a tract of one hundred and twenty acres, for 
which he paid |i700, very little of this being cul- 
tivated. At the time of purchase there were two 
log cabins on the place, and in one of these he 
settled with his wife and baby, and went to work 
clearing the land. After the first purchase was 
well cultivated, our subject soon saw another 
tract whichsuited histaste,and this sixty acres soon 
became his own, he paying therefor $21 per acre; 
then he bought another tract of one hundred and 
twenty acres, for which he paid $35 per acre; 
and still another tract, for which he paid $40 per 
acre. All of this land was once his and was well 
cultivated, but half of it he has given to his chil- 
dren, and hence has but one hundred and sixty to 
look after at present. This land be values at $45 
per acre, and upon it he raises principally wheat, 
corn and cattle, his gross receipts per annum being 
soniethin<> like $2,000, which income has often 



enabled him to place money to his credit in the 
bank. He has a fine orchard, containing one liun- 
dred and fifty trees. 

Our subject is a member of the Christian Church 
at Sliannondale, Mo., which church edifice he helped 
to build, and in which he has been an Elder for 
twenty years, his wife and children joining him 
in membership. For the past twenty years he has 
been a member of the order of Ancient Free <V' 
Accepted Masons. Politically, he is a Democrat, 
and while not an aspirant for office, he takes a 
deep interest in the affairs of his party. During 
the late war he was a sympathizer with the .South- 
ern cause and suffered many hardships. Our sub- 
ject suffered from a sad affliction February 3, 
1889, as at that date his good and faithful wife 
was removed by death. Many were the expres- 
sions of regret for the loss of so kind and lov- 
able a woman. 



OS. CONLEY is the owner of a desirable 
farm in Clay County, on section 15, town- 
_ ship 52, three miles from the village of 
Prathersville. He was born in Kentuckj' in the year 
1833, and is a son of John S. Conley,also a native 
Kentuckian, who believed in rearing his boys to 
work, and did not deem an education necessaiy to 
the future welfare and success of his children. He 
therefore gave them no chance to learn anything 
but the hard work of tiie farm, though he ioved 
his children in his way with as much affection and 
desire for their success as any father. Owing to 
this our subject was reared without educational 
advantages, but being keen-witted and quick to 
learn, he has succeeded nevertheless in acquiring a 
fair general and business knowledge of men and 
affairs, which almost equally answers the purposes 
of every-day life. 

In 1851 Mr. Conley was married to Miss Sallie 
Boone, a descendant of the Daniel Boone family, 
who was born in Virginia in 1832. They have 
four children, three sons and a daughter, and it is 
the father's main object in life to give them the 
benefits of a good public-school education, of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



721 



which he was himself unfortunately deprived. 
Our subject is of Irish descent, his grandfather 
having emigrated from the Emerald Isle when but 
a young man. Mr. Conley is a man of sterling 
worth and integrity', one who has seen much of 
the "'ups and downs" of life, but who has never 
been discouraged, nor has relinquished the faith 
he has alwa^'S held, that he was ultimately des- 
tined to succeed. 

Our subject is the owner of two hundred and 
forty acres of line arable land, well adapted to 
general farming and stock-raising. Good and 
substantial buildings are upon this desirable farm, 
and the place bears the marks of thrift and neat- 
ness to a marked degree. In his religious views 
he is a Catholic, as is also his famil}', and though 
he has been a lifelong Democrat, he has lately be- 
come a believer in the principles of the People's 
party. 



\f^ICHARI) F. ASBURYowns a well-improved 
li#if farm of one hundred and forty acres on 
/li'V section 29, township 54, range 29, Ray 
^^ County, and is considered one of the lead- 
ing agriculturists of this region. His birth oc- 
curred May 26, 1836, in Christian County, K3'. 
His father, S. W. Asbury, was a native of Virginia, 
where he resided until reaching his twentieth 
year, when he removed to Kentucky, where he was 
married. In 1841 he removed to Missouri, settling 
in the southwestern part of the State, in Dade 
County', where he followed blacksmithing and 
farming for some years. 

Our subject's mother bore the maiden name of 
Netta Scott, and was born and reared to woman- 
hood in Kentuck}'. In 1846 our subject's parents 
removed to Ray County, settling in Richmond, 
where Mr. Asbury turned his attention mainly to 
blacksmithing until the year 1852, when he re- 
moved to Lexington, and after living there about 
four years returned to Richmond. In 1878 he 
settled in Lawson, and after remaining there for 
some years finally went to Coloiado, wheie he is 
still making his home and is now in his eighty- 



third year. During the Mexican War he raised a 
company for service, but hostilities had terminated 
before they were called into action. For yeare 
he has been a loyal worker in the Christian Church. 
His wife has been dead many years. 

Richard F. Asbury has four brothers and two 
sisters living. He was reared and educated in 
Missouri, and attended the public schools of Ray 
County. At the age of twenty -six ye.irs he was 
married to Miss Lizzie Anderson, formerly of Ken- 
tucky. Three children were born to them, two 
of whom are living, Ida and Mattie. They have 
both been given good educations and are still at 
home. After his marriage our subject engaged 
in business in Richmond, where he was located 
for about fifteen years, after which he went to 
Colorado, where he lived for about a year. Re- 
turning to Richmond, he made that city his home 
until 1882, when he engaged in the grocery busi- 
ness at Lawson, Mo. 

Our subject's first wife died in the year 1870, 
and some time after he married Miss Ella Medows, 
whose father is a resident of this county. Five 
children have been born of this union, as follows: 
Verna, Maude, Halleck, Sybil and Harry. Mr. As- 
bury was brought up in the Christian Church, to 
which he now belongs. In politics he is a Demo- 
crat, and fraternally belongs to Bee Hive Lodge, 
A. F. <fe A. M. In 1879 he purchased a farm, 
on which he is now living. The place is well im- 
proved and in a good state of cultivation. The 
owner oversees the work and gives his special at- 
tention to raising crops of grain. 



^s^.EORGE W. McMULLIN, an esteemed and 
]|( (s=j respected farmer of Ray County, makes his 
^^M home on se'ction 26. He was born July 16, 
1844, in Ray County, and is the fourth in order of 
birth in a family of nine children, a record of 
wliom with the parents will be found in the 
sketch of Henry R. McMullin, on another page of 
this work. Our subject remained at home until 
reaching his twenty-third year, and had never 
been given an}' educational privileges up to that 



722 



POETRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



time, with the sole exception of twenty daj's when 
he went to the district school. Thus he has been 
entirelj- self-educated, and largely in later years, 
having- a good [)ractical business knowledge, which 
probably answers all the purposes of his present 
life. Not only in an intellectual but in a finan- 
cial way he has had to carve out his own fortune, 
which he has done through exertion and dili- 
gence. 

In the }-ear 18G7 IMr. McMullin was united in 
marriage with 8arah S., daughter of William 
Vigles, of Kentuck}', who came to Missouri many 
years ago. Mrs. McMullin was born December 3, 
1847, and was the fourth in a family of nine chil- 
dren, all of whom were girls. To our worthy 
subject and wife were born eleven children, as fol- 
lows: Lydia A., born August 21, 1868; Disa, Au- 
gust 14 ,1871; Serilda, December 18, 1873; Charles, 
December 23, 1878; David, July 15, 1880; Dollie, 
July 15, 1882; Mattie, June 26, 1886; Earl, Au- 
gust 4, 1890, and three who died in infancy. The 
devoted wife, and fond, loving mother was called 
from this life in 1891, dying with that dread dis- 
ease, consumption. She was an earnest member 
of the Christian Union Church and her life had 
been given to the care of her family as only a self- 
sacrificing mother knows how. The many friends 
she had in church and social circles deeply deplore 
her loss as well, and will ever cherish her mem- 
ory. 

After his marriage Mr. McMullin located on 
a farm of forty acres in that portion of Ray 
County locally known as Egypt, and tiiere en- 
gaged in agricultural pursuits for twenty years, at 
the end of which time he sold out and purchased 
one hundred and twenty-six acres on section 26, 
township 51, range 29, where with his children he 
is still making his home, following general farming 
and stock-raising. Sixteen years ago our subject 
met with a sad misfortune, a loaded wagon pass- 
ing over his right leg, and never since that time 
has he Icnowu what it is to be free from pain. 
During the last few years he suffered more and 
more and it became apparent that necrosis of the 
bone had set in and amputation was therefore 
necessary, the operation being performed in April, 
J890. After his recovery he found that liis crip- 



pled condition would prevent him from engaging 
in active farming, and since that time he has 
turned his attention to buying, selling and ship- 
ping live-stock, and lias succeeded very well in 
that direction. 

Mr. McMullin 's sons are carrying on the farm 
and manifest a filial devotion to their father which 
is truly commendable. Ilis daughters are managing 
the home and trying as far as possible to fill the 
place made vacant by their dear mother. Our 
subject is a member of the Baptist Church of Or- 
rick, and politically, he is a stanch Democrat, and 
admirer of G rover Cleveland. 



; I OIIN T. EDMONDS, whose home is in Tina 
Carroll County, is a member of the firm of 
^^^ 1 Edmonds Bros., dealers in lumber, hard- 
(^^^ ware, cement, salt, paint, etc. He was bom 
in Canada, in July, 1860, and is the fourth son in 
a family of nine children, whose parents were 
James and Mary A. (Trinith) Edmonds, both na- 
tives of England. Our subject, when only an in- 
fant, was taken by his parents to Alpena, Mich., 
where he lived until eight years of age. In the 
year 1868 he removed Westward with his parents 
to Missouri, attending the common schools of the 
neighborhood. He remained with his father, as- 
sisting him in whatever way he could, until reach- 
ing his majority, when he began farming in Carroll 
County, engaging as a general agriculturist for 
eight years. 

In 1889, Mr. Edmonds embarked in the lumber 
business in Hale, continuing his business opera- 
tions there for about a year. In the fall of 1889, 
our subject located in Tina, entering into partner- 
ship with his brother, and embarking in his present 
business under the firm name of Edmonds Bros. 
Their trade is assuming large proportions, as build- 
ing is becoming more and more active in this por- 
tion of the county, and thus the supplies in which 
they deal are used in large quantities. Our sub- 
ject owns one hundred acres of good land, all but 
twenty of which are under good cultivation and 
well improved. He has manifested good business 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD 



723 



ability, and ranks among the leading commercial 
dealers of this vicinity. He makes it his object to 
thoroughly please and satisfy the demands of his 
customers, and that he succeeds in these respects is 
amply shown by the large |)atronage which is be- 
stowed upon tiie firm. 

In the year 1891 occurred the marriage of Mr. 
Edmond with Miss Elizabetli Liester, a daughter of 
13avid Liester, who is a native of the Keystone 
State, and a respected citizen of this locality. Both 
our worthy subject and his amiable wife hold mem- 
bership with the Presbyterian Church, in the work 
of wiiich they take an interested and active part. 
In all local affairs, also, Mr. Edmonds is identified, 
having the welfare of Tina, the place of his home, 
greatly at iieart. He casts his ballot in favor of 
the nominees of the Republican party, and frater- 
nally is a member of Tina Lodge No. 391, I. O. 
O. F. 



^r^jICHARD KING, who was born in March, 
trv ^^^'^1 ii Harrison County, Ky., was an edu- 
'J^ fli cated man and a successful school teacher for 
many years. He was mainly engaged in 
agricultural pursuits after his return from the 
war, in Clay County, on section 'SO, township 52. 
Mr. King was given good school advantages and 
attended the excellent schools of West Ely, Mo. 
Afterward returning to his native State, he mar- 
ried Miss Ann Maria King, a very distant relative 
of his family. The wedding ceremony took place 
on Christmas Daj^ 184,5, and for the following 
three years they remained in Harrison Count}', 
Ky., thence coming to Missouri. At the expiration 
of two years, on account of Mrs. King's health, 
they returned to the former State, but were not 
content to stay there and in 1854 came back to 
Clay County, where our subject engaged in farm- 
ing and taught school until the Civil War. 

Mr. King enlisted in the Confederate service 
under Gen. Price in .September, 1862, and served 
until the close of the war. He participated in 
many battles and engagements, fighting bravely 
for the cause he had espoused. On his return 
home at the end of the conflict he resumed the 



peaceful occupation of farming, which he carried 

on successfully until he was called from this life 
December 8, 1882, being then sixty years and 
nine months of age. He was a decided Democrat 
in his political views, and was a member of the 
Missionary Baptist Church, with which denomina- 
tion he united in 1848. He was a worthy and 
conscientious man, one who did not make it his 
only object to amass a fortune for himself, but 
tried to help his fellows along in the journey of 
life. 

Mr. and Mrs. King had a family of ten children: 
The eldest, Silas M., died in Texas during the war; 
Fannie E., the wife of a Mr. Smith, died February 
14, 1877, leaving four children, all now grown to 
maturity; Mattie was born September 29, 1849; 
Harriet, who married Thomas Holt, was born No- 
vember 1, 1851; Kate, Mrs. Joe McCrury, born 
February 1, 1854; Ella, wife of William Story, 
born December 16, 1855; Alice, Mrs. Jim Trimble, 
was born August 2, 1857; George, on December 
22, 1859; Willie, who died at the age of twelve 
years, was born November 2, 1866; and Alvin, 
November 24, 1868. Mrs. King is a member of 
the same denomination to which her liusband be- 
longed, and has been engaged in carrying on the 
home farm since his death. 



T. ROBINETT lives on section 34, 
township 53, range 30, Clay County, 
where he is the owner of four hun- 
dred and fifty acres of valuable and 
well-improved land, a model farm in every re- 
spect. Our subject is sagacious and enterprising, 
having by these qualities steadily risen until he 
reached the goal of success. Besides carrying on 
general farming and raising large crops of grain and 
farm produce, he is engaged in stock-raising, buy- 
ing and shipping quite extensively. He has made 
a speciality of raising fine horses and hogs and for 
years has been the live stock agent for the Atchi- 
son, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad. Mr. Robinett 
has always been in the front rank of all social 



724 



POrtTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



enterprises and is part owner of tiie County Fair, 
being president of tlie company. 

Our subject is one of eleven cLiildren, wliose 
father, M. M. Robinett, was born in Bourbon 
County, Ky., and removed to Illinois in 1817, and 
many years later came to Missouri, settling here in 
1870. He became an extensive land-owner, having 
about two thousand acres, wliere he engaged in 
general agriculture and also dealt considerably in 
stock, buying and shipping. He was a Democrat, 
belonged to the Masonic fraternity, and with liis 
wife was a member of the Baptist C'hurch. The 
mother died in 1869. 

Mv. Robinett remained with his fatlier on tlie 
old homestead until reaching his tweut>'-fifth year, 
wlien he was united in marriage with Miss Hatfield 
in 1871. To them was borii one child, who died 
in infancj'. Both our subject and his amiable 
wife are members in good and regular standing of 
the Baptist Church. Mr. Robinett is a member of 
tiie Masonic fraternity, belongs to the Mystic 
Shrine, tlie Royal Arch and the Commander^' and 
is a Knight of Pythias. In regard to the question 
of politics he is a pronounced Democrat and is 
actively connected with local politics. 

ETER M. WOOLF is engaged in cultivat- 
ing his fertile farm of two hundred and 
twenty-eight acres on section 24, town- 
ship 60, range 21. He makes it an object 
to raise fine stock, and has been blessed with suc- 
cess in his various business undertakings. Since 
1867 he has been prominently connected with the 
history of Linn County, and enjoys the friendship 
and esteem of all who have been in any way thrown 
in contact with him. Our subject's native State 
is Ohio, his birth having occurred in Muskingum 
County, where he resided until seventeen ^-ears of 
age. Until reaching his majority, he went to 
school during the winters, and engaged in farm- 
ing with his father. Afterward he assisted an un- 
cle for about a year, and was only twenty-two 
when he enlisted in tiie Eighty-eiglith Illinois In- 
fantry, in Company A, at Chicago, 111., his first Col- 



onel being Frank Sherman, and the Captain of the 
company George W. Smith, who is now engaged in 
the practice of law in Chicago. Mr. Woolf enlisted 
in August of 1862, and served until the close of 
the war, taking part in a number of important 
battles, among which we mention Perryvillc, Stone 
River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Dalton, Resaea, 
Adamsville, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree 
Creek, Jonesboro, Lovejoy Station, Spring Hill, 
Franklin and Nashville. Few, indeed, are the vet- 
erans of the war who can lay claim to having passed 
tlirough as many battles of like note. He seemed 
to almost lead a charmed life, as he was never 
wounded except once, when he was knocked 
down by a minie-ball which struck his leg. The 
number and names of battles in which Mr. Woolf 
participated have been taken from his discharge 
papers. He was dismissed from the service on the 
9th of January, 1865, at Nashville, Tenn., with 
commendation, which he well deserved for his cour- 
ageous and faithful service. He, with his regi- 
ment, prior to the battle of Atlanta was constantly 
under fire for one hundred days. 

On his return from the conflict, Mr. Woolf went 
to Wenona, Marshall County, 111., and engaged in 
farming near that place until November, 1867. 
In August of that year. Miss Carrie McCarty, a 
native of Ohio, became his bride. They have five 
children, four sons and a daughter: Fred E. and 
Harry J. are attending the Missouri Western Col- 
lege, at Cameron ; Chester A., Carl C. and Hattie 
Abbie complete the family. The family are mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in the 
work of which they are .active. Mr. Woolf is a 
member of Dillon Post No. 22, G. A. R., of Lind- 
ley, Mo., in which he holds the position of Adju- 
tant. 

As previously staled, Mr. AVoolf came to Linn 
County in 1867, locating on his present farm some 
six years later. He paid $8, $13 and *19 for diff- 
erent parts of his farm, which he now considers 
worth fully $25 per acre. He has made great im- 
provements on the land, until it bears little resem- 
blance to the wild tract of his original purchase. 
In politics he is a Republican, having cast his first 
Presidential ballot for Abraham Lincoln. His fa- 
tlier, Henry Woolf, was born in Virginia, ami on 



f 



t 




^a^Kiy^ Mi4.^''l^/^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



727 



leaching his majority removed to Ohio, where he 
engaged in farming, and there married Harriet 
Iganea, a native of Maryland. To them were 
born eleven children, only two sons now living. 
A brother of our subject, Andrew Jackson, is a 
resident of Wilmington, 111., engaged in the rail- 
road business. The father participated in the War 
of 1812, and lost one son, Samuel, in the late War 
of the Rebellion, when he died with typhoid 
fever. Mrs. Woolf is a daughter of John McCarty, 
a native of Belmont County, Ohio, who followed 
the trade of carpenter until late in life, when he 
became a farmer. He had a family of eight chil- 
dren, the sons being John Howard, Franklin, Will- 
iam G., James Emmett, Joseph Edward; and the 
daughters, Hannah, Susan D. and Mattie. 



♦^^1 



mwp 



l^^- 



\l^_^^ENRY DUFFETT is engaged in operating 
if )jl his farm of one hundred and eighty acres, 
Jt)^ which is situated in township 50, range 27, 
(^) Ray County. On this place he has made 
his home for over thirty j'ears, as he located upon 
it in 1860, at which time he became the owner of 
eighty acres, a portion of his original farm. He 
is a successful and enterprising agriculturist and is 
a worthy representative of this class, who are truly 
called the bone and sinew of a country's prosper- 
ity. Mr. Duffett was born in the year 1832, in 
Stalbridge, Dorsetshire, England, and is a son of 
Elias and Henrietta (Luffman) Duffett, who were 
also natives of P^ngland. The former, a son of 
Elias Duffett, was reared in a city, though his 
father was a land-owner and farmer by occupation. 
Our subject was the youngest in a family of eight 
children, all the others being deceased. In 1848 
the father came to the United States with his fam- 
ily and at once proceeded to this Stale, locating in 
Richmond. He lived only three weeks after his 
arrival, being about seventj' years of age at the 
time of his decease. His wife's death occurred six 
weeks later, at the age of sixty-two 3'ears. 

Henry Duffett resided with his parents until their 
death, when he was sixteen 3'ears of age, after which 
he was obliged to start out to make his own waj-. 

37 



He worked at anything he could find to do for a 
time, and tiien began learning the carpenter's trade, 
which he followed for a yeai, after which he worked 
at blacksmithing for tliree years. In 1853 he went 
to California, crossing the plains with an ox-team, 
there being about forty in the train. The trip, 
which was started in May, was not completed until 
December of the same year. Locating in Los 
Angeles County, Cal., he worked at his trade 
until 1857, being in a sawmill most of the time. 
In the last-mentioned year he returned b^' land to 
Missouri, settling in Ray County, where three 
years later he became the owner of a part of his 
present homestead, to the cultivation of which he 
has since given his earnest attention. 

In the year 1851* Mr. Duffett and Mary A. Reavis 
were united in marriage. Mrs. Duffett's parents, 
David and Almira Reavis, were natives of Ten- 
nessee, though she was born in this State. The 
union of our worthy subject and wife has been 
blessed with eleven children, three of whom are de- 
ceased: George D; Alice M., wife of George Hurst; 
Marjr A., now Mrs. Louis Snowden ; Emma J., who 
became the wife of John Reardon; John W., de- 
ceased; Ellen, Mrs. Wiliiara R. Hardy; David E., 
Henry E., L. L.; Charles, who died at tlie age of 
seven years; Ida, and William, who died at tlie age 
of twenty years. The parents are members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church South of the neigh- 
borhood, and in political belief Mr. Duffett is a 
Republican. During the late war he became a 
member of Capt. John Cleaver's comi)any in the 
Union cause, but was not ordered out of the State. 



STONEWALL J. JONES, attorney-al-law 
and Notary Public of Hale, Carroll County, 
is a prominent and iniluential man in 
Democratic political circles, having been 
a delegate to various State conventions and being 
a member of the Democratic Central Committee of 
Carroll County. lie was elected to the responsi- 
ble position of City Attorney, serving as such for 
a term of four years, from 1888 to 1892, and giv- 



728 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



iug good satisfaction to his fellow-citizens. In 
1892 he was re-elected but refused to qualify. Our 
subject controls a large local and general law prac- 
tice, and is attorney for the Bank of Hale, in 
which he is also a stockholder. 

Mr. Jones was born in Carroll County August 
23, 1866, and is a son of Thomas M. and Delilah 
(Hubbard) Jones, the former a native of North 
Carolina and llie latter of Indiana. Our subject's 
paternal grandfather, Thomas, was a native of 
England, while on his mother's side he is of Ger- 
man descent. Mr. Jones is the eldest son in a 
family of seven children and passed his boyhood 
days near his birthplace, receiving such educa- 
tional advantages as were aflforded by the common 
schools. When sixteen years of age he entered 
the State Normal vSchool at Kirksville, Adair 
County, Mo., remaining there for two years, soon 
after which he commenced studying for the legal 
profession. In March, 1886, he l)egan reading law 
with George F. Davis, of Hale, and during the 
winter time taught school. In June of the follow- 
ing year, going to Chillicothe, Livingston County, 
he continued his studies with Col. Thomas H. 
Kemp, of that city, and in January, 1888, was ad- 
mitted to the Bar, at once beginning practice at 
Hale before all the courts and continuing up to 
the present time. He is a young man of keen in- 
tellect and is well informed. He is possessed of 
a ready and correct memoiy, which serves him in 
good turn, as he is able to cite a precedent or au- 
thority for each successive step he takes in a case. 

Mr. Jones owns four hundred acres of valuable 
and fertile farm land, situated only a mile from 
this village, and lias the place under good culti- 
vation and improvement. He is justly termed one 
of the representative and leading business men of 
Hale, and as a legal authority his reputation ranks 
high. Starting with nothing, he has certainl}- suc- 
ceeded remarkably well for one so recently ad- 
mitted to the business and professional world. 

November 7. 1890, was celebrated the marriage 
of Mr. Jones and Miss Alice Fair, of Wooster, 
Wayne County, Ohio, whose father, Andrew Fair, 
is a native of tlie Keystone State. Mr. and ]\Irs. 
Jones have one son, Grover, named in lienor of 
the twenty-second President of the United States. 



Mrs. Jones is a member of the old German Evan- 
gelical Churcii. Fraternally, our subject is a mem- 
ber of Hale Lodge No. 184, A. F. & A. M., and 
belongs to Lodge No. 195, K. of P. 



\1[--^ D S I E CREEL is one of the early hon- 
1^ ored pioneers and agriculturists of Carroll 
I* } — --^ County', where he has been engaged in 
farming since 1854, a period of nearly forty 3'ears. 
He has been a witness of vast changes in this lo- 
cality, and in all good works toward the develop- 
ment and progress of this region, he has done his 
share. After his years of industry and unwaver- 
ing zeal, he is now enjoying the rest lie so well de- 
serves, living retired from active business affairs in 
Hale. 

Mr. Creel was born in Adair County, Ky., De- 
cember 12, 1819. His grandfather on his father's 
side bore the given name of Elijah and owned 
Virginia as the place of his birth. Our subject's 
father, Simeon Creel, was also born in the Old 
Dominion and was one of the early settlers in Ken- 
tucky. He was a gallant soldier in the War of 
1812, and while iu his early manhood wedded 
Matilda Wagoner, of Virginia. To them were 
born thirteen children, of whom our subject was 
the fourth son. Until reaching his thirty-fifth 
year, our subject remained in Kentucky, coming 
in 1854 to Carroll Countj'. He owns a farm of two 
hundred and tliirty-four acres of fertile land, most 
of wiiich is under cultivation and well improved. 
For years our subject turned his entire time and 
attention to the development of this tract of land, 
and well did he succeed, for it is now one of the 
valuable ones of the count}^ Until September of 
1891, he perseveringly toiled year by j'ear; at that 
time he concluded, as he had an ample competency 
for old age, to rest during the remainder of his life. 

In the year 1864, Mr. Creel was married to Miss 
Addie Morgan, whose father, Albert Morgan, was 
a native of the Blue Grass Region. Two sons 
grace the union of Mr. and Mrs. Creel. Junius E. 
holds a responsiV)le position as Cashier of the 
People's Bank at Hale, and James li. is the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



729 . 



3-oiinger son. The ])arents are devoted mcmliers 
of the Baptist Church, and it is rare indeed when 
they are not found at the front of an3- good 
movement, benevolent or otlierwise, which has for 
its object the uplifting or benefiting of their fel- 
low-men. For many years Mr. Creel has been and 
still is a pronounced supporter of the Democratic 
party. 



■^f AMES IIUGES, a veteran of the late war, 
is an example of the self-made man, having 
^^^ started out in life with very moderate 
l{^// means and having steadily pushed onward 
and upward until he has reached a position of af- 
fluence and influence in Clay Count}'. He is an 
extensive agriculturist, owning now some eight 
hundred acres of land in township 50, range 
32, his home being on section 2. At one 
time he also owned considerable land in ad- 
dition to what he still possesses, but that he has 
since disposed of. He is one of two children born 
to Patrick and Sarah Huges. The former was 
born in County Tyrone, Ireland, in 1775, his death 
occurring in 1873. In the year 1837 he crossed 
the brinj' deep and soon after his arrival came to 
Missouri, engaging in mixed farming on a place of 
eighty acres. He was a molder by trade but did 
not follow that occupation to any great extent af- 
ter coming to America. He was a supporter of the 
Democratic party and both he and his wife were 
members of the Catholic Church, in the faith of 
which the latter died in 1848. 

He of whom we write was born in 1837 and has 
passed nearlj' his entire life in this State. In 
August, 1862, he enlisted in Company F, Third 
Missouri Infantry, under Capt. Garth, and at the 
end of two years received an honorable discharge 
in November, 1864. In 1885 Mr. Huges married 
Miss Alice, daughter of Elijah and Alice (Gorntz) 
Hope, the former of whom was a builder and con- 
tractor. The father and two of his sons were in 
the Federal army. Mr. Hope, Sr., was taken sick 
and sent to the liospital on Staten Island, where he 
died. His birth occurred in the county of Mayo, 



Ireland. He was married in the year 1831 and 
removed to the New World in 1842, his death oc- 
curring on January 21, 1865. He was buried on 
Staten Island with hosts of the brave defenders of 
the Union, his grave being numbered 2238. His 
wife, who was born in 1820, was called from this life 
in 1883. The two brothers of Mrs. Huges were 
in active service, one of them being wounded, 
from the effects of which he died some years later 
at Ft. Scott, Kan., in 1876. The other brother was 
seven months and one day in Andersonville Prison 
and was only released after Lee's surrender. He 
was a lawyer by profession and was a Government 
officer in a distillery. He was called from the 
shores of time at Kansas City in 1884. 

Mr. and Mrs. Huges have three sons: Joseph, 
born October 8, 1886; James, November 25, 1887; 
Charles, July 26, 1889. The parents are faithful 
members of the Catholic Church and our subject is 
an ally of the Democratic party, in which he takes 
quite an interest. 



( AMES H. STEEL, a well-known agricultur. 
istof Ray Count}', resides at his home on 
^,.^1 section 26, township 54, range 28. He is a 
l}^^ native of Kentuck}', his birth having oc- 
curred in Owsley County. He is one of seven 
children, whose parents were John and Lora 
(Hernden) Steel. The father settled in Kentucky 
in 1859, becoming the owner of six hundred acres, 
where he engaged in general farming and stock- 
raising. He also ran a cornmill and sawmill in 
addition to carrying on a store of general mer- 
chandise. Our subject's brothers and sisters are: 
Mary, Frank, Rosa, Lydia, Robert and Lillie. 

Mr. Steel remained with his parents until reach- 
ing the age of twenty years, and on his father's 
farm learned the details of agriculture, which 
have been of great use to him in later life, as he 
has made farming his principal occupation. On 
arriving at his majority he came to Missouri, rent- 
ing a farm in Ray County, where he has lived up 
to the present time. lie is progressive :iud enter- 



730 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



prising in tiis metliods, and to this fact, as well as 
to liis unr&mitting industry, does he owe the fine 
jiroperty vvhicli is now his, and of which ho may 
be justly proud. 

]\Ir. Steel's marriage was celebrated October 24, 
1885, and to himself and estimable wife have been 
born three children: P^mraa, whose birth occurred 
February 26, 1887; Nannie, born January 12, 
1889; and an infant who has not yet been named, 
born November 7, 1891. Our subject is a stanch 
ally of the Democratic party and takes quite a prom- 
inent part in the political issues of his neighbor- 
hood. His father was also a leading Democrat 
and a Freemason in good standing. Mr. Steel, 
during his long residence in this county, has gath- 
ered around him a host of friends who hold him 
in the highest respect, and to whose interest, as 
well as that of the surrounding country, he is de- 
voted. He is considered one of the representative 
men of this section, and has been for years past 
thoroughly identified with its prosperity. 



'^ OHN LOUIS HISE, an enterprising business 
man and successful druggist residing m 
Indian Grove, Chariton County, Mo., is a 
native of the State and was born near 
Brunswick August 10, 1868. His father, .John 
Hise, was a native of Indiana, but came with his 
parents to Missouri in a very early day and was 
prominently associated with the pioneer life, the 
struggles and privations of the settlers who had 
located in the almost wilderness of those primitive 
times. Educated in the little log schoolhouse of 
the district, and assisting his parents in the daily 
labor of life, the father of our subject attained 
manhood an energetic and self-reliant citizen. 
His ancestors were German and from them he in- 
herited the thrift and steady industry which were 
his sole capital in life when he entered into the 
marriage relation at a comparatively youthful age 
with the mother of our subject. 

The father did not survive his marriage many 
years, and dying bequeathed to the care of his wife 
three children, two sons and one daughter. The 



little sister passed away in childhood, but the 
brother, Addison Whitfield, who is the youngest 
of the family, lives in Livingston County, Mo., and 
is a bright and energetic business man of that lo- 
cality. Our subject was not blessed with the happy 
life of a true home during the days of boyhood. 
His mother marrying again, he was thrown en- 
tirely upon his own resources at an age when a 
son most needs the sheltering protection and lov- 
ing care of his parents. A boy of more than usual 
ability and steadfast nature, faithful in the per- 
formance of each duty assigned to him, .John Louis 
Hise readily obtained emiiloymeut, and from the 
age of twelve years until he had reached the age 
of eighteen worked out as a hired man upon a 
farm. 

During the six years he was thiis steadily engaged 
in the daily round of agricultural soil, our subject 
had the privilege of attending the winter schools 
for four months' stud}', and Xincheered by the en- 
couragement of friend or parent, the fatherless 
boy eagerly improved every advantage for gaining 
book knowledge and steadily won his way upward 
to a noble manhood, sustained by his own convic- 
tions of right and the earnest purpose to make his 
life worthy of record. At nineteen years of age 
he was united in marriage with Miss Ardenia 
Sportsman, of Livingston County, Mo., and a 
daugliter of Andrew and Jane Sportsman, who 
had emigrated from Kentucky many years before. 
For the first time since his early childhood Mr. 
Hise had a home, which as time passed on was 
brightened by the birth of three children, two 
daughters and one son, Arabella, Leona and John 
Andrew. The devoted wife and mother p.issed 
away, deeply mourned by a large circle of fi-iends 
and neighbors, March 10, 1886. 

After five lonely years had expired our subject 
married again, his second wife being Miss Drucilla 
Atterbury, of Chariton County, Mo. The wed- 
ding occurred May 5, 1891. The parents of Mrs. 
Hise had been residents of Missouri for more than 
a (juarter of a century and were highlj' esteemed 
by the people among whom they had so long 
made their home. The children of the first mar- 
riage were born respectively November 30, 1877; 
November 10,1879; and May 12, 1882, ranging 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



731 



in ages from eleven to sixteen yonrs, and all are 
now enjoying the best educalional advantages 
the community affords. 

Indian Grove is 3'et a small town but lias a)!- 
pai'cntly a bright future, and the surrounding 
country is a jiromincnt factor in the success of its 
business enterprises. Mr. llise is here profitably 
conducting an excellent drug store, fully supplied 
with all desirable articles of this line of trade, and 
is rapidly extending the limits of his business, 
which has under his able management been from 
the very first an assured success. Our subject is 
actively interested in the local growth and progress 
of this portion of Missouri and is numbered among 
the public-spirited and substantial citizens of 
Chariton County. 



r^— 



•^^• 



'^ 



AMUEI^ CONRAD is engaged in operating 
his farm on section 22, township .52, range 
18, Chariton County. His birth occurred 
in West Virginia on April 16, 1837. His 
father, John Conrad, was born in Pennsylvania in 
1799 and died in 1869. In the year 1845, whe7i 
our subject was a lad of nine years, bis parents 
removed to Missouri, which State has since been 
his home. Our subject's mother, formerly Eliza- 
beth Lasure, a daughter of the Keystone .State, 
was born in 1811, and by her marriage became the 
mother of ten children. William, Mary, Jacob, 
John and Ella are now deceased. The living ones 
are: James, Samuel, (ieorge; Ann M., now Mrs. 
Metcalf; and p]liza V., now Mrs. Martin. The 
grandfather of our subject, Joseph Conrad, was 
born in Germany and emigrated to America in an 
early day. Before leaving his native land he mar- 
ried a Miss Stotlar. The maternal grandfather of 
Samuel Conrad, Joseph Lasure, was born and 
wedded in Ireland, his wife being a native of 
Scotland, and soon after their marriage tliey re- 
moved to America. 

In 1860, our subject married Mi.ss Susan Metcalf, 
who was born in the Old Dominion, and by her 
he had a family- of four children: Mary wedded 
a Mr. < irahani; .lessie is now deceased, and the other 



two died in infancy. The mother was callec) to 
her final rest in 1869, and in the following j'ear 
]\rr. Conrad was married to Miss Nancy Stuck, 
whose birthplace was in Ohio and who was called 
from this life in May, 1875. Some time afterward 
Mr. Conrad married Miss Amanda Cuddy. They 
had four children: Mattie M. and Ross E., who 
reside with their parents, and two who died in in- 
fancy. 

On .lanuary 20, 1862. Mr. Conrad came to the 
defense of his country, enlisting under Col. Oden 
Guitar at Sturgeon, Boone County, and at the ex- 
piration of three years, during which he fought a 
number of hard battles, he was mustered out, Feb- 
ruary 20, 1865, at St. Louis. Active in times of 
peace as well as war, Mr. Conrad believes in stand- 
ing up for the principles of the constitution of 
the United States and for all good citizenship, law 
and order, and to that end has ever cast his ballot 
in favor of the nominees of the Republican partj'. 
This State has been his home for nearly half a 
century, and he has literally grown up with the 
country', counting his prosperity and hers as one. 



34.4. {.^.'^gK^ ,t.4.4.4.r~ 



if:: 



\|p^OBERT L. CRAIG, a well-known and enter- 
prising farmer on section 29, townshii) 53, 
range 25, Carroll County, is one of the 
^^ native sons of Missouri, having been born 
in Clay County July 23, 1856. His father, James 
W. Craig, was born in Kentucky and was one of 
the early settlers of Clay County. Our subject'/^ 
mother, who bore the maiden name of Amelia 
Young, was the daughter of Thomas Young, a 
prominent and respected citizen. Our subject is 
the fifth son in a family of seven children, and 
when only eight years of age removed from his 
birthplace to St. Charles County, Mo. 

In the year 1871, Mr. Craig located in this 
county, beginning agricultural pursuits on his 
own account. His farm comprises two hundred 
and forty acres of valuable and desirable land, 
which is all well cultivated and improved in mod- 
ern style. In addition to raising the usual va- 
riety of croi)s and farm produce, he is quite an 



732 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



extensive raiser of live-stock. He is p. practical 
farmer, one who, while clinging to the true and 
tried methods of former years and generations, is 
also ready to adopt such improvements and sug- 
gestions as are constantly' being discovered and 
used in carr3'ing on farm work. 

At the home of her father, James V. Lewis, in 
the year 1878 was celebrated the union of Mr. 
Craig and Miss Lucy Lewis, to whom was born a 
son, James. In 1886 our subject was a second 
lime married, his present wife having been form- 
erly Miss Docia Coward, a native of Kentucky. 
The union of Mr. and Mrs. Craig has been blessed 
with two daughters, Luc}' and Virgie. Tlie par- 
ents are consistent members of tlie Methodist Epis- 
copal Church South and are identified witli the 
various branches of church work. 



i|^\ RS.MARY C. FULLER, a lifelong resident 
of Missouri and widow of Peter Fuller, an 
esteemed pioneer of Chariton County, 
is now engaged in canning on the farm 
formerly owned by her husband on section 18, 
township 56, range 18. Peter Fuller was born in 
Mercer County, Mo., October 19, 1841, and on ar- 
riving at man's estate was united in marriage with 
Mary C. Darl, whose birtli occurred in the year 
1845 in Howard Count}', Mo. 

Mr. Fuller was reared to manhood in this county, 
and became the owner of the farm which his widow 
is running in 1869. He cleared the place, im- 
proved it, and brought it all under good cultiva- 
tion, erecting good buildings and making a spe- 
cialty of raising fine stock. For over thirty j'cars 
he was a respected citizen of this vicinit}', and 
when he was called from the shores of time in 
1890 his loss was felt to be irreparable by his 
friends and neighbors. He served in the army 
for eighteen months, having enlisted under Lieut. 
Edward Cox in Company 1, Fort3'-second Missouri 
Infantry, and with tiiem taking part in the battles 
of Pea Ridge and Franklin. He was a devoted 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and 



endeavored to the best of his ability to follow its 
teachings. Mrs. Fuller by her marriage became the 
mother of eleven children: Selista, now Mrs. Stev- 
enson; Laura, now Mrs. Whitniore, who resides in 
Illinois; George, deceased; James, residing at home; 
Cal H., a resident of Mercer Count}'; Emma J., 
now Mrs. Graham; Paddy, deceased; Zellar, Daniel 
A., John and Charles, the four latter assisting their 
mother in carrying on the old homestead. Mrs. 
Fuller is the daughter of Martin B. Darl, who mar- 
ried Margaret Johnson, who was born in Louisville, 
Ky., and came to Missouri at a very early day. 

Daniel A. Fuller, our subject's father-in-law, 
was born in Indiana in October, 1818, and on ar- 
riving at manhood was united in marriage with 
Permatha Stephenson, who is a native of Clay 
County, Mo., her birth having occurred on the 
29th of November, 1822. Mr. Fuller located in 
Mercer County, Mo., at an early day, and after 
living there for six years went to California. He 
remained in the West for about thirteen years, and 
after his return to Chariton County was married 
and resided there until his death in 1890. He was 
in the Mexican War and under Gen. Price for 
eighteen months, being wounded at the battle of 
Santa Cruz. After his return to this county he 
f.armed exclusively but only on a small scale. 
To himself and wife was born a family of seven 
children: Mary E., deceased; .John W.,wlio resides 
in Marceline; Permethia J., and William F., de- 
ceased, three having also died in infancy. The 
widow is now making her home with her daughter- 
in-law. 



W INDSEY DICKEY, the energetic and able 
I (^ Recorder of Deeds of Hay County, now lo- 
; !*— ^ 21 cated in Richmond, has held various ofiicial 
positions of trust, and for a score of years was 
numbered among the prominent and successful 
instructors of Missouri. He was for three and 
a-half years a School Commissioner, and assisted 
ably in the progress and local advancement of 
educational interests, his practical experience and 
excellent judgment thoroughly adapting him for 
the occupancy of the position, which he resigned 



PORTRAIT AND BIOORAPHICAL RECORD. 



733 



to accept the duties of his present office. Mr. 
Dicke^' is a native of the State of Missouri, and 
was born in Holt County, January 26, 1849. 

The father of our subject was Tinsley V. Dickey, 
a native of Tennessee, and born in 1818, in the 
State where ins grandfather, James Dicliey, was 
also horn, raised and married. The Dicker's were 
farmers by occupation, and Great-grandfather 
Dicke}' was a native of Ireland, but, being an 
ambitious, energetic and resolute man, early emi- 
grated to America, and here founded a family 
whose descendants are among the most wortliy 
and highly respected citizens of our great repub- 
lic. The mother of Lindsey Dickej' was Miriam 
Norris, whose father, Abner Norris, a native of 
Tennessee, was of German descent. Mrs. Miriam 
Dickey died in Holt County, and shortly after 
Mr. Dickev removed from that county to Raj' 
Countj- with his family. Here he engaged in farm- 
ing and teaching. About 1854 he married Miss 
Sarah A. Dickey and b\' her had four children. 
For a while during his residence in Holt Countj' 
he was County Judge and Justice of the Peace. 
He died January 2, 1871. 

Lindsey was the third child in a family of four 
children, of whom three yet survive. The boj'- 
liood of our subject was passed in Ray County, 
where he attended the district schools four years, 
and afterward received the educational advantage 
of one year's instruction in Richmond College. 
Ambitious and enterprising, he began early in life 
to win his own way in the world, and taught 
school at seventeen years of age. For twenty 
years he pursued the avocation of a teacher, and 
was numbered among the most successful instruc- 
tors of l{ay County. In 1890 he was the candi- 
date on the Democratic ticket for Recorder of 
Deeds, and was elected by a large majority. A 
man of genial presence, attentive to business and 
equal to all tlie requirements of this respon.sible 
office, whose duties he so efflcientlj' conducts, he 
ii.ns amply demonstrated his fitness for any posi- 
tion of honor or intiuence witliin tiie gift of his 
constituents. 

Mr. Dickey served as Justice of the Peace two 
years, and deservedly won the confidence and es- 
teem of the conmuiiiit V. to wlioni his decisions 



gave universal satisfaction. Our subject has al- 
waj's been an active Democrat, and is widely 
known throughout the county as an earnest, pro- 
gressive and public-spirited citizen, liberally aid- 
ing in local improvements and advancement. Both 
as an educator and an official Mr. Dickey has been 
an important factor in the upbuilding of the best 
interests of Ray County, and has ably led in so- 
cial, benevolent and business enterprise. 



^ UDGE SAMUEL A. WOLLARD. Much is 
said and written about Southern hospital- 
ity, though the Southerners themselves claim 

. that with the incoming of railroads and 

factories the old-time hospitality for which they 
have been noted is dying out. There are a few 
representatives of the old school, however, who 
still maintain the traditional customs, the house- 
wifes being as noted for the toothsome delicacies 
produced by their fair and skillful hands as of 
old. One of the families which keep up tiiis old- 
time lavish hospitality is that of the gentleman 
whose name is seen above, and of whom it is our 
pleasant privilege to here give a short biograph- 
ical sketch. Their establishment is conspicuous 
for the smoothness with which the domestic me- 
nage is conducted. Surely the dainty dishes that 
Mrs. Wollard prepares are mixed, as were the 
paints of that famous artist, with brains. 

The WoUards are an old Southern family, wlio 
for man}' years were conspicuous in North Caro- 
lina, where our subject's father was born in 1801. 
He left his native State at the age of sixteen and 
came to Missouri in company with a brother-in- 
law bj- wagon, cutting a path through the Iieavy 
timber as they came. They first stopped in Boone 
County, and John Wollard later proceeded West 
and pre-empted all of the section where our sub- 
ject now lives. He settled on the land and gave 
the town site where Richmond is now built. He 
was a noted hunter, and not only bears, deer and 
wolves fell before his never-erring shot, but elk 
and buffalo. .Vt that earlv (lav he lived in a loir 



734 



POilTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



cabin until after Richmond was platted, when he 
located a half-mile distant from the town, and 
impi-eved a farm. He died in 1877, after a long 
and successful career as a farmer. He was a large 
slave-owner before the war. It is related of him 
that his only possession on starting out in life for 
himself was the buckskin suit in which he was 
married. lie was a devoted Presbyterian, and at 
one time knew every man in the county. 

Our subject's mother bore the maidon name of 
Nanc}' Jane Lile, and was a native of Tennessee, 
coming hither with her parents at a very early 
day. She shared her husband's pioneer life until 
her sixt3^-sixth year and was the mother of four- 
teen children, all of whom lived to years of ma- 
turity, and of whom six still survive. Judge Wol- 
lard was the twelfth in order of birth in his 
pai-ents' family. He w.as born in the old log 
house which still stands on the homestead, and at- 
tended school in Richmond, and lived at home 
until twenty-two years of age. After the war and 
the freeing of the slaves, he was about his father's 
onlv dependence, and gave the wliole wealth of 
his affection and attention to the care and inter- 
ests of his parents. In August, 1868, he removed 
to bis present farm, which is located on section 
16, of Grape Grove Township. It was quite new 
when he came here, and he has made all the im- 
provements. He also gave a large amount of time 
and attention to the tract of land at Russellville 
wliich his father owned. 

Judge AVollard was married April 10, 1868, to 
Miss Gertrude Groves, of Carroll County, this 
State, but who was reared in this county. She was 
a daughter of George W. and Mary E. Groves, of 
Virgini.t, who removed to La Fayette County at 
an early day, and there died. Mrs. Gertrude "Wol- 
lard died, leaving her husband four children, viz: 
Mary V., Mrs. Charles E. Mansur; Clarence A., 
James M. and Nannie G. The second marriage 
of our subject united him with Miss Dora Young, 
of Ray County. She is a daughter of S. S. and 
C. C. Young, the former a native of Missouri and 
the latter of Tennessee. They have had five chil- 
dren: Samuel A., Reed C, lira G., Jewell C. and 
Ward L. Mrs. Wollard is a memlier of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church South. 



In his political interests Judge Wollard is a 
Democrat, and is an active worker in the party. 
He was elected Connty Judge in the fall of 1883, 
and, after serving four years, was re-elected to 
the position and gave the best of satisfaction. He 
owns Qve hundred acres of land, most of which is 
in one body. He has been greatly interested in 
stock-raising, raising cattle, horses and mules. He 
was the first to introduce Gallowa}' cattle in Ray- 
County, and still keeps them for breeding pur- 
poses. His horses are, both as saildle and road- 
sters, of the finest breeds. 



^^ APT. JOHN P. QUESENBERRY, a prospcr- 
[l ous, energetic and leading retail grocer and 

^^^7 hardware merchant of Richmond, takes a 
high place among the important factors in the 
growth and upbuilding of the best interests of this 
portion of Missouri, and is widely known as an 
earnest and progressive man. Our subject was 
born in Glasgow, Parren County, Ky., September 
18, 1818. His father, Zaceus Quesenberry, was a 
native of Fauquier Coiintj'^, Va., and engaged in 
the handling of merchandise for years. He was 
the son of James Quesenberry, who was of direct 
English descent. The mother of Capt. John P. 
was Mary Warder, a native of Virginia, and the 
daughter of Joseph Warder, also born in the Old 
Dominion. 

In 1840, the Quesenberry famil}' removed from 
Kentucky to Ray County, Mo., and settled near 
Richmond, where the father and mother lived to a 
good old age. They were the parents of six chil- 
dren, three sons and three daughters, of whom our 
subject is the youngest. Capt. Qnesenberry passed 
the days of boyhood and early life upon his fa- 
ther's farm, and attended a private school, after 
which he began his business career as a clerk for 
Josiah Parott, of Rushville, 111. In 1841, our sub- 
ject came to Richmond, where he engaged as a 
clerk in the well-known store of James Hughes & 
Co., and remained in the emi)loy of this firm until 
184;5. In company with Robert McGee, he opened 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



735 



a general merchandise house in 1848, under the 
firm name of Quesenberry & McOee. Meeting with 
their full share of success, tliey continued in the 
business for two years, when Ca])t. (Juesenberr^' 
sold out and immediately bought another stock of 
groceries, and continued actively in business until 
1861. 

Upon the breaking out of the Civil War, our 
subject immediately enlisted under Capt. Ben 
Reeves, and in June, 1861, joined the Confederate 
army, being one of the first to enter the service 
from Raj' County. Entering the ranks as a private 
soldier in the State service, he acted as (Juarter- 
master from May until June, 1862, when he was 
ordered by Gov. Jackson to Ft. Smith, Ark., with 
the supplies belonging to the State. At Ft. vSmith 
these supplies were turned over to the Post Quar- 
termaster. At that place in June, 1862, a company 
was organized, of which our subject was made 
Lieutenant, and in December following,the Captain 
having fallen in battle, lie succeeded to that position, 
which he filled until May, 1865, when he resigned 
on account of ill health. The company formed a 
part of the Eleventh Regiment, assigned to Far- 
son's brigade. Capt. Quesenberi\y was at the bat- 
tles of Carthage, Mansfield, Pleasant Hill, Jenkins' 
Ferry, Springfield, Wilson Creek. Pea Ridge, Hel- 
ena, and numerous other battles and skirmishes. 

At the close of the war, Capt. (Juescnberry re- 
turned to Richmond, where he diligently devoted 
himself to the mercantile business, and in time was 
able to accumulate property. His store, located 
at the corner of Camden Avenue and Franklin 
Street, is well stocked with general groceries and 
builder's hardware. The Captain still looks after 
his business as of yore, and is respected as an hon- 
orable and successful business man. The gallant 
Captain is unmarried. He is a consistent member 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in all his 
business dealings is ever a true and sincere Chris- 
tian gentleman. In politics, he was originally a 
Whig, but since the war has acted with the Demo- 
cratic party. 



ILLIAM J. ROUSE, editor of the Bucklin 
Herald, has been identified with the growth 
and prosperity of the city for the past 
five years. He assumed the charge and became 
the proprietor of the newspaper in February, 1891, 
since which time he has increased its subscription 
list twenty-five per cent. The paper is indei)end- 
ent in politics, and, in view of the youth of the 
editor, is remarkably well conducted, its editorials 
showing the intelligence and judgment of a much 
older man. 

The parents of our subject are Jacob and Mary 
(Barlow) Rouse, who now make their home in 
Monroe Cit}% Mo. The father is a native of Ralls 
County, Mo., and is now retired from the active 
cares of business life. He was a soldier in the Con- 
federate service during the late war, and was seri- 
ously wounded in the battle of Corinth. His wife 
was born in Boone County, K3^,■and by her mar- 
riage became the mother of five children, four 
now surviving. 

AVilliam J. Rouse was born in Boone County, 
Ky., May 13, 1866, and came with his parents to 
Missouri when but two years of age. He received 
his education in the common schools of the county 
in which his parents settled and later attended the 
Monroe Institute, situated at Monroe City. In 
1887 he was engaged in teaching school in Ralls 
County, but in April, 1888, commenced clerking 
in a dry-goods store of Bucklin. He was later 
given entire charge of the business, eventually be- 
coming its owner. In the early part of 1891 he 
sold out his interest and purchased the paper 
which he is now editing. He does general print- 
ing and job work. He has a fine library, an entire 
set of the valuable "Encyclopedia Britannica" 
being among the number of volumes at his hand. 
ISIr. Rouse is much interested in civic societies, 
being a member of the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows, having passed all the chairs in Bucklin 
Lodge No. 384. He is also a member of Linn En- 
campment No. 70, of Brookfield. Politically, he 
uses his right of franchise in favor of the nomi- 
nees of the Democratic party, in the success of 
which he takes an active interest, and has been 
a delegate to their conventions a number of times. 



The Wabash. 

rO THE public and our thousands of readers 
in general: It will no doubt be interesting 
to all if we give a brief description of this 
road. The Wabash, as now known, has been oper- 
ated under different names from time to time. It 
is the offspring, as it were, of the first line of road 
projected in Illinois, then known as the Northern 
Cross Railroad, extending from Danville to Quincy. 
This was chartered in 1837, and upon it the first 
locomotive was placed in the winter of 1838-39, 
running from Meredosia, on the Illinois River, to 
Jacksonville. In 1842, the road was completed 
from Jacksonville to Springfield, and three trips 
per week were made. The track was of the old 
tlat-rail style, vvhich was made by nailing thin 
strips of iron on two parallel lines of timbers placed 
at the proper distance apart and running length- 
wise of the road. The engine, as well as the road, 
became so impaired that the former had to be 
abandoned and mules substituted as the motor 
(lower. However, such locomotion was destined 
to be of short duration, for the State soon after 
sold the entire road for a nominal sum, and thus 
for a short time was suspended one of the first 
railroad enterprises in Illinois. But in the West a 
new era — one of prodigious industrial activity and 
far-reaching results in the practical arts — was dawn- 
ing, and within thirty j'ears of the temporary fail- 
ure of the road mentioned, Illinois had outstripped 
all others in gigantic internal improvements, and 
at present has more miles of railroad than any 
other State in the Union. The Great Western, 



whose name has been successively changed to To- 
ledo, Wabash ife Western, Wab.ash, Wabash, St. 
Louis & Pacific, and Wabash Railroad, and The 
Wabash, the last of which it still bears, was an ex- 
tension of the Northern Cross Railroad above 
mentioned, and traverses some of the finest por- 
tions of Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. It soon be- 
came the popular highway of travel and traffic 
between the East and the West. Through a sys- 
tem of consolidation unparalleled in American 
railwa3'S, it has become a giant among them, and 
has added many millions of dollars to the value 
of bonds and shares of the various companies now 
incorporated in the Wabash System. The road 
takes its title from the river of that name, a 
tributary of the Ohio, which in part separates the 
States of Illinois and Indiana. In looking over 
the maps of the Wabash Railroad it will be seen 
that the line extends through the most fertile and 
wealthy portions of the center of the United States, 
having termini at more large cities than any other 
Western road. It was, indeed, a far-reaching sagac- 
ity which consolidated these various lines into the 
Wabash System, forming one immense chain of 
great commercial activitv and power. Its terminal 
facilities are unsurpassed by any competing line. 
Its home offices are established in commodious 
quarters in St. Louis. The lines of the road are 
co-extensive with the importance of the great 
transportation facilities required for the products 
of the Mississippi Valley. This line passes through 
the States of Iowa, Missouri, Indiana, Oiiio and 
Michigan. The various lines of the road may be 
divided into tlie following: 



TRANSPORTATION. 



737 



Miles. 

St. Louis to Chicago 286 

Toledo to Kansas City 662 

St. Louis to Des Moines 360 

J.oganspoit to Detroit 207 

Chicago to Laketon Junction 123 

Clapton to Keokuk 42 

Bluffs to Quincy 105 

Streator to Forest 37 

Attica to Covington 15 

Champaign to Sidney 12 

Edwardsville to Edwaidsville Crossing. 9 

IJemunt to Altamont it P^ttingliam 63 

IJrunswick to Omaha 225 

Roseberry to Clarinda 21 

Salisbury to Glasgow 15 

Centi-alia to Columbia 22 

Total miles of main lines and branches. . 2201 
From the above main lines and branches as in- 
dicated it will readily be seen that the Wabash 
connects with more large cities and great marts of 
trade than .any other line, bringing Omaha, Kan- 
sas Cit3-, Des Moines, Keokuk, Quincv, St. Louis, 
Chicago, Toledo and Detroit together with one 
continuous line of steel rails. This road has an 
immense freight traffic of the cereals, live stock, 
various productions and manufactured articles of 
the West, and the States through which it passes. 
Its facilities for rapid transit for the vast produc- 
tions of the packing houses of Kansas City, St. 
Louis and Chicago to Detroit, Toledo and the East- 
ern marts of trade is unequalled. A large portion 
of the grain productions of Kansas, Nebraska, 
Iowa, Missouri, Illinois and Indiana finds its way 
to the Eastern markets over the lines of this road. 
The W.abash has always taken an advanced posi- 
tion in tariffs, and its course toward its patrons 
has been just and liberal, so that it has always en- 
joyed the commendation of the business and trav- 
eling public. The roadbed is one of the best in 
the countrj-, and is ballasted with gravel and 
stone, well tied, and laid with steel rails. The 
bridges along the various lines are substantial 
structures. The depots, grounds and general 
proi)erty of the road are in good condition. The 
man.ageraent of the Wabash is fully abreast of the 
times. The road is progressive in every respect. 
The finest p.assenger cars on the continent are run 
on its lines, and everj- effort is made to advance 



the interests of its patrons. The passenger de- 
partment is unexcelled for the elegant and sub- 
stantial comfort afforded travelers. The sleeping 
cars on some of the most important lines are of 
the compartment system, upholstered in a costly 
and tasteful manner, each room supplied with hot 
and cold water. On several of the main branches 
of the system dining cars are run. 



Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. 

:«^^jriIS great trans-Mississippi road has for 
//rs many j'ears stood in the front rank of 
\._^ Western roads as a powerful coadjutor in 
the growth and development of the several sec- 
tions through which it passes. By its absorption 
of the Hannibal it St. Joe, it has two parallel lines 
between the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. 
West of the Missouri it is known as the Burling- 
ton (fc Missouri River Road, with three parallel 
lines extending through Nebr.iska on to the foot 
of the Rocky Mountains. To the far Northwest, 
it extends to Deadwood, in Dakota, and Sheridan 
and Buffalo in Northeastern Wyoming. The Bur- 
lington <fe Missouri has almost gridironed the State 
of Nebraska, and is the most potential factor .as 
regards transportation in that growing State. In 
Chicago and Illinois, where its first lines were 
built, it has always been regarded as one of the most 
enterprising lines centering in the metropolis of the 
West. There is probably' no road in the Great 
West whose lines touch so many important cities 
and manufacturing centres as the "Q.," by which 
name it is popularly known. The names of a few 
of the cities connected by this line will serve to 
give the reader some idea of the magnitude of the 
system. Chicago, St. Louis, Kansas Cit}', Omaha, 
Lincoln, Denver and Cheyenne, Des .Moines, Bur- 
lington, Quincj', Peoria, Dubuque, Minneapolis 
and St. Paul, with all the intermediate country 
and towns, are laid as a tribute to the feet of this 
enterprising road. One has only to glance over 
the iines of this immense system to quickly com- 
prehend the wealth of production in agricul- 
ture, mines and quarries which must necessarily 



738 



TRANSPORTATION. 



(ind its natural outlet to the seaboard over the 
lines of the "Q." Its freight traffic has alwaj'S 
been immense, and is steadil>r growing. It crosses 
the Mississippi River at nine different places, and 
the Missouri at six different places, and has termini 
in more important cities than any other road. Its 
roadbed is well ballasted and tied, and laid with 
steel rails, while the bridges along its lines have been 
constructed in the most substantial manner, thereby 
insuring to its passenger service speed and safety. 
The management of this road has always been in 
the forefront of railroad progress and enterprise. 
It has always been the habit of the "Q." to be at 
the fore in adopting every new appliance which 
would insure more ease and comfort to its patrons. 
Its rolling-stock is of the first order of excellence. 
Dining cars on the "Q." have become proverbial 
among the traveling public for the elegance of 
their misine. 



Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paiil Railroad. 

a^^HIS is one of the great roads of the North- 
lll/i^^ west, having Chicago .as its headquarters 

{(((©)))) loo 1 

'^S&{^ and its most important terminus. Its 
growth has been steady and extensive, and it w.as for 
years the pioneer in the great pine belt of Wiscon- 
sin, its headquarters being maintained at Milwau- 
kee until within the last few years, and by its exten- 
sive and commanding system it is still tlie most 
important road entering that city. It would be 
hardly possible to mention any great cities in the 
Northwest which this road fails to reach, and re- 
cently it has extended a branch to the Southwest, 
from Ottumwa, Iowa, to Kansas City and St. Jo- 
seph. It touches all the leading points on the Mis- 
souri River and in the Dakotas, among which are 
Council Bluffs, Oraalia, Sioux City and Chamberlain 
— Fargo being its most northern brancii; while on 
the Mississippi, all the leading places from Daven- 
port are touched north to Minneapolis and St. 
Paul. Its lines reach the capitals of three States, 
and with four great parallel lines, extending from 
Lake Michigan through seven States to the Mis- 
souri River, with all their various branches and 



feeders, taps the most fertile and p-oductive region 
of the unparalleled Northwest, and by it their ever- 
increasing natural and manufactured productions 
are laid at the feet of Chicago and Milwaukee. 
It is safe to say that no other road has contributed 
more to the development of this region. Its 
freight traffic is immense. It has alw.ays been the 
wise policy of this road to encour.age and develop 
the various sections of country through which it 
passes. In regard to the passenger service on its 
main lines, it is unexcelled for safety, speed, com- 
fort and elegance. Its dining-car service is an es- 
pecial feature, and one which at all times meets 
the full approbation of the traveler. 



Cliioag-o, Rook Island & Pacific. 

:^p^IIIS is one of the most important roads of 
,W^^ the West, having its Eastern terminus at 
^\^^J Chicago, where its facilities and trackage are 
unequaled, with its handsome and commodious 
passenger depot on \'an Buren Street, in the heart 
of the business centre of the city. It is thus en- 
abled to handle expeditiously its large and increas- 
ing p.assenger trattic, and by its prompt and liberal 
treatment of its patrons has built up an immense 
suburban business. This fine depot building is 
also the home of its general offices, which are large 
and commodious. Its management has ever been 
broad, liberal and energetic, alvva3'S to the fore, 
and ready to take advantage of every improve- 
ment in equipment, thereby offering to its patrons 
the very finest, best and safest facilities for travel. 
By the splendid management and foresight of 
its oH^cers they have built up a vast system, ex- 
tending into twelve States and Territories, even 
into the heart of the Rocky Mountains, south to 
the cotton fields of Texas, and northwest to the 
v.ast wheat plains of tlie Dakotas and Minnesota, 
thus laying at the feet of the great commercial 
and manufacturing city of Chicago the best pro- 
ductions of the extensive region through which 
the road passes. From Chicago to Omaha it is 
practical l_v an air-line, being the most straight and 
direct road lietween the two cities. It [lasses 



TRANSPORTATION. 



739 



through a hirge miinber of important towns in 
Illinois, including .loliet, with its great steelworks 
and other manufacturing interests. At Bureau, a 
branch extends to Peoria, the second city in size 
in Illinois, with which city it has built up a large 
and grovving traffic. From Peoria a line extends 
northwest to Rock Island, at which place it in- 
tersects the main line. At Rock Island, Moline 
and Davenport, it has a large traffic with the ex- 
tensive manufacturing industries of those cities. 
Here it crosses the JMississippi River over a hand- 
some steel bridge. From Davenport the road crosses 
Iowa, running in a westerly direction through a rich 
and populous section, passing through Des JMoines, 
the tlourisliing capital of the State, and on west 
to Council Bluffs, on the east bank of the Missouri 
River; here it passes over a fine bridge to Omaha, 
the metropolis of Nebraska. At this latter place it 
conies into competition with several lines of the 
Burlington system, the Union Pacific, Missouri 
Pacific and several other roads. From Omaha its 
lines extend in a southwesterly direction. Passing 
through a beautiful prairie country, it reaches the 
beautiful city of Lincoln, the capital of Nebraska; 
then on to Beatrice, Fairbury and Nelson, in Ihe 
same State. 

At Fairbury the road branches and runs to 
Belleville, Kan., where junction is made with the 
trunk line extending from Chicago and Kansas City 
to Denver, via Topeka, the capital city of Kansas. 
From Belleville the road is almost an air-line across 
the great plains of Kansas and Colorado. At 
Limon, in Colorado, the road branches, one line 
extending to Denver, the other to Colorado 
Springs and Pueblo. Tlie Rock Island is admir- 
ably located with reference to the great ore-pro- 
ducing canons of Colorado. Coal, iron, silver, 
gold, lead, copper, building stone, everything, 
in fact, which is produced in the great mining- 
State of Colorado rolls naturally down hill to 
Pueblo and Denver. To the west are many thriv- 
ing cities founded on mining and agriculture; 
here are also the lovely towns of Colorado 
Springs and Manitou, nestling at the footof Pike's 
Peak. Manitou is at the mouth of a deep canon 
and is one of the most lovely summer resorts in 
America, Near here is the famous "Garden of 



the Gods," whose wondrous beauty and grandeur 
are unsurpassed. Six miles above this place is Cas- 
cade Canon, where, through the enterprise of this 
road, has been erected the splendid Hotel Ramona. 
The enterprising management of the Rock Island 
Road has built at Manitou a railroad extending 
from that city to the top of Pike's Peak. Now the 
tourist no longer has to trudge up the trail, but is 
transported in a palace car to the top of the Peak, 
amid the most wonderful and beautiful scenery on 
the continent. The line terminates at Denver, a 
magnificently built city of nearly a hundred and 
fifty thousand i)eople. It is probable that no 
American city has so many features of unique 
beauty as Denver. Its splendid public buildings, 
and its broad avenues, lined with beautiful resi- 
dences, cozily located at the foot of the snow- 
capped mountains of the Rocky range, render it 
unlike any other city of its size in the world. The 
ride from Pueblo to Denver along the foot of 
the mountains is one never to be missed. The 
snow-covered peaks, the many combinations of 
sun and cloud and rain and snow, the marvelous 
atmosphere, all combine to surprise and charm the 
beholder. 

The Rock Island Route furnishes unsurpassed 
facilities for the emigrant or home-seeker, the 
sportsman or the tourist. It taps the heart of 
the new Territory of Oklahoma and Southern Kan- 
sas, a region teeming with large crops, with fertile 
fields and salubrious climate. In its extended rami- 
fications, no other road reaches so many important 
and thriving cities. It must l)e apparent to the 
reader that the line is admirably- situated, and that 
in many respects it occupies a strategic position 
superior to that of other trans-Mississippi and Mis- 
souri railroads. These advantages have been util- 
ized in the past, as they will be in the future, in 
developing the localities through which the vari- 
ous branches extend, and in building up the perma- 
nent prosperity of the property whose history is 
so closel}' interwoven with the settlement, devel- 
opment and prosperity of the West. To this 
purely local traffic must be added the contribu- 
tions of its several termini, all large cities and 
prominent trade centres. With the growth and 
steady development of the manufacturing and 



740 



TRANSPORTATION. 



other industries of Chicago, Peoria, Minneapolis, 
Omaha, Kansas City, St. Joseph, Atchison, Leav- 
enworth, Topeka, Pueblo and Denver, the Rock 
Island must materially make corresponding strides. 
In brief, its commanding geographical position, 
coupled with its direct Eastern alliance for through 
business, must render this one of the most re- 
munerative roads in the West. 



Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway, 

.(JPULAKLY known as the Santa Fe Route. 
The initial lines of this great system were 
first built from Atchison to Topeka in 
18(59, and for many years the former city 
was the eastern terminus of the road. The man- 
agement of the Santa Fe, with great energy, 
pushed out its lines in every direction into the 
young and growing State of Kansas, in the 
majority of instances preceding settlement and 
civilization. This road was the first to penetrate 
across the southern part of Colorado, via Pueblo 
and Trinidad, into New Mexico, until its lines en- 
tered the old adobe town of Santa Fe — whose citi- 
zens were half Spanish and half Mexican. As its 
course penetrated the wilderness, it sometimes fol- 
lowed the old Santa Fe trail, whieli had been made 
famous years before by trappers and also by the 
Oovernment freighters. Tlie m.-irvelous growth 



and development of the State of Kansas is in a 
great measure due to tiie enterprise and public 
spirit of the managers of the Santa Fe system. Not 
onlj' did they devote their energy to the upbuild- 
ing of the road, but at great expense they main- 
tained emigration and colonial agents in the vari- 
ous countries of Europe, as well as in the Eastern, 
Middle and Southern States, thereby advertising 
the State of Kansas as no other State had heretofore 
been advertised. The Santa Fe owns and operates 
more miles of road in Kansas than any other line, 
with its vast system of east and west, north and 
south lines, reaching every important town in the 
State, and penetrating sixty-three counties in 
Kansas. The m.agnitude of its business is immense. 
The general olfices of this road are at Topeka, 
with general branch offices at Chicaco. The Santa 
Fe is an extensive system, extending by its own 
and leased lines from Chicago to Galveston on 
the Gulf, to Guaymas on the Gulf of California in 
old Mexico, and to San Francisco on the Pacific — 
reaching also the important inland cities of Denver, 
Pueblo, Kansas City, St. Joseph, St. Louis and 
Peoria, as well as the leading towns in Texas. 
During the fall and winter season it has an exten- 
sive passenger trafhc to the Pacific Coast as well as 
the genial climes of Mexico and Texas. The man- 
agement IS enterprising in building up a large and 
increasing freight traffic, and it is recognized as 
one of the important trunk lines. 




BI0GI^p^l7l(gplj. 



Ailan.s.J. F -^86 

Adams, John 23 

Adams, John Q 3fl 

Adams, Ulysses 573 

Adkins, E. V 492 

Adkins.R.1 243 

Aker, M.J 314 

Aker.P.T IPl 

Akers.J.R 310 

Allen, Mrs. D. A 700 

Allen, Hon. D. C 2.54 

Alli-n, J. M.,M.D 151 

Allison, K.B 541 

Allison, W. M 23.") 

Applegate, L. M ."Wl 

Arthur, Chester A 9!t 

Asbiiry,R. r 721 

Atterberry, E. M 393 

Auld.J.R 561 



Babcock, R. W 3S8 

Baber, B. F ;io« 

Baier, Jtjseph 065 

Bailey, H.C 435 

Baird, W. C, M. D 347 

Baker, J. H. P., M. D UIO 

Ball.J.E 544 

Ballinger, W. R 151 

Barclay, D. W S98 

Bargar, H. K 372 

Bargar, Judge J. O 125 

Barger, Christian 280 

Bartz, Hugo 480 

Bates, J. F 282 

Bathgate, Thomas 157 

Bau.-ii'nnan, M. P., M. D 563 

Bay,S. L 281 

Bell, Col. C. W 612 

Bcnellel, W. H 650 



Benson, A. P 41i; 

Benson. M.J 53!l 

Berghofer, H. J .501 

Berry, A. J., M. D .599 

Bevins, R. E 143 

Bingham, C. C 428 

Bishop, Rev. W. F 337 

Biaksley, Lewis 510 

Blossom, R. S 424 

Bogie. T. D 202 

Bohannon, Col. L. C 321 

Bowyer, William 177 

Bradley, J. P 434 

Bradley, W. H 521 

Braly, A. L 1!)3 

Branham, C. H 079 

Brasher, A. D 4it6 

Braun, L. E 68G 

Breckenridge, Robert 265 

Breekenndge, S. E 327 

Briggs, Prof. G. C 712 

Brining, VV. H ,50:i 

Brocknian, Asa 407 

Brooks, S. J 274 

Brown, A. S 132 

Brown , Perry 226 

Brown, T. A 641 

Brown, Hon. W. D 330 

Bruce, Joseph 351 

Bruner, L. S 432 

Buchanan, G. W., M. D 141 

Buchanan, James 75 

Bucksath, Henry 5.52 

Burchett, O. W 550 

Burgess, Judge G. D 616 

Burns, C. A 205 

Burrus, J. J 456 



Clark, G.W 231 

Clark, R. J 356 

Clark, R.J 685 

Cleavenger, S. L 392 

Clements, L. G 135 

Cleveland, S. Grover 1»3 

Clevenger.E.M 388 

Clevenger, Gordon 224 

Clevenger.G. P 4(i8 

Clevenger, Jesse .5.56 

Collins, William 1*1 

Conley,0. S 720 

Conratl, Samuel 731 

Conrow, A. B 128 

Conrow, Hon. A . H 696 

Copeland,G. D .504 

Cornthwait, Augustus 341 

Corum, Milton 261 

Corum, Wilkerson 247 

Courtney, Casswell 496 

Courtney, W.J 291 

>^Cowdery, J. E 662 

Cowles.E. M isT* 

Cox,S. W 213 

Craig.J.F .585 

Craig, R. L.. 731 

Craudall, J. O 643 

Crandall, W. D 682 

Craton, M. W., M. D 677 

Craven, E. W 481 

Craven, Judge R. T 161 

Craven, Wyatt 204 

Creel, Edsie 728 

Crenshaw, H. R 138 

Crispin, M.W 301 

Crookshanks, H. F 525 

Crowley. John 257 

Crowley, Hon. William 669 

Crowley , W. T 144 



Campbell, W. H., M.D i'M 

Carlyle. J. S 42!l 

Cavanaugh, Michael 267 

Cawthron, A. R 678 

Caywood, A. J 367 

Cazzcll, J. VV 162 

Chrisman, William 430 



Dain, Joseph, Jr 560 

Davidson, A. C 197 

Davis, J. A 273 

Davis, Nathaniel, M.D 276 

Davis, T.J 303 



l'avis,S. C 430 

Davis, VV.0 471 

Deacy, T. M s-jg 

Dear, James & Fanny 143 

DeBerry,T. A .' 332 

Democrat Printing Co 71.5 

Denhem, John 357 

Dewey, G. M., M. D 448 

Dick, John 394 

Dickey, Lindsey 732 

Dodge, J. W. . .". .;jxQ 

Dollis, I.H ..!.... 265 

Donaldson, R. H 1S5 

Doniphan, A. W g4g 

Donnenwerth, J. G 435 

Dorton, Hon. J. W 532 

Dougherty, John 418 

Dougherty, L. B 2O8 

Dougherty, O'Fallon 334 

Dowell.S. H 554 

DuEfett, Hem-y 7*7 

Duncan, J. A 253 

Duncan, J. S 464 

Duncan, S. C 323 

Duvall, J. F 122 

Duvall, Leonidas 706 



Eaton, Prof. J. R 451 

Edmonds, J. T 722 

Edwards, David 475 

Elam, Joel 188 

Elliott, Andrew S29 

Ellis, H.J. M 354 

Embree, L. T 656 

Emmerich, Al 673 

Endsley, E. M 691 

Esrey, Judge Niles 258 

Estes, W. W 565 

Estill, W. G., M.D 347 

Evans, Hon. T. D 603 

Eversole, Charles, M. D 415 

Ewing.Q.S 360 



INDEX. 



Farns, C'apt. J. 1 [;''" 

Ferguson. Thomas "•)' 

Field, Molvin <'W 

Filicia, Eev. Moses <1S 

Fillmore, Millard I*' 

Pi„k c "'^ 

Finks.Maj.J.H «54 

FinIev,J P -•'*- 

Finlev.Hov.J.r 6ito 

FiUh.W.H 331 

Ford, J. W '"" 

For.i.^n,Mai.L.T 16' 

Foster, Tliomas »"- 

Fowler.A.M ««» 

Fowlcr.A.P "' 

Fowler, T.N •^•'* 

Fowler, Judge W.E 591 

Foy.Kev-J.H ^=^ 

Frakes, John ■'^■' 

Fraiiipton, David '0" 

Francis, Judge W.J •■i«2 

Frazier.John ^ 

Fuller, Mrs. M. C '« 



Gad.-ll.Bev.J.I •» 

Oalle,S.P '^^ 

Gallemore,J.G ^«f 

Gaut.D.U ^' 

Gardner, G.J ■"•' 

Garfield, James A ^^ 

Garner, Hon. C.T.,Sr HT 

Garnett,H.T.,M. D ^'^'■> 

Garlh,Hon. W.G ^^ 

Gash,T. M 337 

Gates,J.B f^* 

Gehrett, Kev. J. A •^'"•^ 

Gentry, Benjamin 'iSl 

Gilmer, Irving ^^f 

Goodale, L. N 13.i 

Goslin,W.S 352 

Gow,M.D fiS" 

Grace, H.M 302 

Grant, Ulysses S 87 

Green, E.L) 550 

Greenfield, S. G. T 212 

Groom, M. A 248 

Gunn.Asa '•'* 

Guthridge, James i*^ 

Gutliridge, W. B 544 



Halstead. W. C 328 

Hamilton, G. E.,M.D 208 

Hamilton, J. M 630 

Hamilton, J. R 614 

H,amilton,J. T., M.D 194 

Hamilton, R. L., M.D 271 

Hannnoud, C. C 622 

Hannum, Aacii-'on 163 



Happy, Elijah 3 

Harder, Rev. J. VV 5i 

Harder, W.R 21 

Harding, Elisha 1 

Hardwicke, Samuel 2 

Hargrave, G. L 5 

Harmon , Rev. P. F 2 

Harper, Prof. W. B 4 

Harrel, W.C 2 

Harrison, Benjamin 1 

Harrison, J. W 3 

Harrison, Orra 2 

Harrison, William Henry — 

Hartshorne, Hugli 3 

Harvey, Hon. E. D 51!) 

Harwood, W. G., M. D 246 

Hassler, Christian 479 

Hauser, Calvm 288 

Hayes, Rutherford B 91 

Hayne-s,J. A 381 

Haynes, J. H 344 

Haysler, E. C 689 

Heathman, J. M ■''16 

Henderson, Stewart 436 

Hershey, J. M 455 

Hershey, J. W^ C90 

Heryford, Hon. William 579 

Hewlett, J. P 2:13 

Highsmith, G. R., M. D 171 

Hightower, Elias 238 

Hill,G.C ■•■-'« 

Hill.J.'R 3.=i2 

Hill, P. E 275 

Hines, J. N 283 

Hise.J.L 7.30 

Holman, V. R 5il3 

Holman,J.R 715 

Hopkins, L.G 523 

Hopson.G.T 415 

Houston, Hon. J. G .."iSS 

Hou.\,J.E '•SS 

Howe, Judge J. A 37(1 

Hubbell,W. P 279 

Hudson, J. T 281 

Hudson, M.J 571 

Huffaker, J. W 615 

Huges, James 72!) 

Hughes, Hon. U. J 203 

Hughes, James 293 - 

Hughes,J.(' 302' 

Hughe.s, J. S 428 

Hull, J. E 124 

Hume.J. H., M. D WO 

Humphfers, J. W 369 

Humphrey, W. H 406 

Hunt.J.R 2f)5 

Hurt,M.L «88 

Hurt, W, J 234 

Hyde.L. D 465 

Hyder, J. W 470 

Hymer. J. M 251 



Jrvin, W.T. 
{sle.U. E.... 



Jackson, Andi'ew 43 

Jackson , E. M 284 

Jacobs, J. H 445 

James, W. C, M. D 213 

Jamison, N. A 414 

JeUerson, Thomas 27 

Jefferson ian. The 704 

Jennings, W. M .564 

Jessee, D. C 542 

Johnson, Andrew 83 

Johnson, F. IJ., M. D 121 

Johnson, James 31S 

Johnson, S. M 513 

Johnson, Samuel 719 

Joiner, G. W 388 

Jones, Rev. A. B SJ5 

Jones, J. G 586 

Jones. S.J..... 727 

Joyce, E. L 651 



Kell,I). W 244 

Kellerstrass, Ernest 5.34 

Kendall, W.R 505 

Keudrick, J. H .570 

Kerby,J. R 173 

Keyes, Judge G. W 403 

King, Richard 723 

Kirkpatriek, A. L 437 

Kirkpntrick, T. K 32« 

Kitchen, T.S 681 



Langtord,r. M 236 

Lavelock, G. W 6!)9 

Lavelock, T. N 600 

Leabo.J. A 602 

Leforgee, J. C 226 

Leirman, Frederick 392 

Leiteh,T. 6 296 

Leitch, W. N 317 

Leonard, F. A 512 

Leonard, G. M... 516 

Letton.N. W 693 

Lewis, J. S 535 

Liggett, Thomas 270 

Lincoln , Abraham 79 

Lincoln, B. S., M. D 483 

Lincoln, Hon. J. E 263 

Lockhart, Prof. J. W 61G 

Logan, J. P., M. D 545 

Logan, Luther 710 

Long, Newton 465 

Long, W. H 167 



Long & Homan 172 

Luster, C. R 158 



M 



Madison, James 31 

Majors, R. M 313 

Manewal, George 441 

Mansfield, Rev. K. J 66fi 

Mareness, Harvey 187 

Mason, B. 377 

Mason, G. W 3C6 

McAfee, James 214 

McChe-sney, H. A., M. D 451 

McCoUum, Stephen .'>42 

McCormick, J. P 147 

McDonald. J. A .300 

McGaugh, G. W 391 

McGinnis, Thomas 505 

McGowan, John S34 

McKinney, W.N 462 

McLean, George, M.D 122 

McMullin,H. B 495 

McMullin,G. W 721 

McNair, Evander 397 

McNish, George 444 

Mettler,L. M 582 

Meyer, Lee 399 

Miller, E. H., M. D 186 

Miller, R.H 184 

Minnis, J.L 572 

Moling, J. W 501 

Monx'oe, James 35 

Montgomery, Ulysses, M. D..543 

Moore, J. J 175 

Moore, P. L 710 

Moore, Robertson 717 -. 

Moore, Samuel 339 . 

Morgan, J. H 305 

Morgan, Thomas 696 

Morgan, W. S 389 

Morris, Hon. W. B 309 

Morrow, J. M 599 

Mosby, Hon. W. W 386 

Moyer, B. F .56« 

Myers, Hon. A. W 631 



Nail, G. Y 

Nelson, W.F., M. D.. . 

Nickelson, Manly 

Nickerson, John. . . . 
Norlleet, A. L. , M. D. 
Northcott, Col. B. F.. 
Northcott, C. VV 



O'Bryan.D. H 



INDEX. 



Oldham, G. B 713 

O'Neill, William, Si- 18S 

Ormiston, D. B U'i 

Owen, A. F llw 



Palmer, W. B G72 

Patton, J. T WS 

Pence, Capt. W. H 28i) 

Perdue, H.C 218 

Perdue, H.CJi- JTii 

Perkuison, Thomas, M. D i>75 

Perry, Squire S. F 13:i 

Peter, Martin (i:i:! 

Petty, J. S 378 

Pierce, e.E 174 

Pierce, Frankliu 71 

Pi^g, J.F 472 

Pigg, Reuben 571) 

Pitts, Ren S. Y 653 

Polk, James K 5!) 

Porter, A. J ISC 

Pound, Pi-eslej' 623 

Pratt, Prof. J. F 668 

Pratt, H. H., M. D t>l7 

Prewilt, H. C E02 

Price, Mrs. S. C 156 

Priest, L.D 272 

Pryor, Joseph 491 

Pryor, James 427 

Putman, B. B.,M. D 404 



Quesenberry , Capt. J. P 734 



Rader, P. S 604 

Ralph, J. B 4S6 

Ralph, Z. D 201 

Ramsey, Rev. J. W 5i)0 

Beaser, M. H 165 

Bedding, Judge J. A 574 

Remelius, Mrs. M. A. M 118 

Eenick, E. W 621 

Renick, W. R 353 

Keyburn,A.K 191 

Rhodus, J. A 218 

Rice.G.C 484 



Rice, S. R 692 

Riley, A. J 153 

Riley, William .171 

Bingo, W.E 155 

Robertson, F. S 473 

Robertson, P. D 464 

Robinett, S. T 723 

Robinson, S.C 243 

Roe, Reuben 397 

Rogers, J. P 316 

Rogers, J. T 405 

Boss, T. K 228 

Rothwell, Rev. W. R 266 

Rouse, W. J 735 

Rowell. Cyrus 494 

Rowell, Haynie, M. D 145 

Rowland, D. J 515 

Kucker, M. J., M. D .'>51 

Rust, C. U 245 



Salisbury, Judge Lucius 704 

Sandals, J. M 312 

Sanderson, George 368 

Sandusky, Ephraim 512 

Sandusky, S. G 660 

Sasse, H.C 463 

Settle,D. L 348 

Sevier, Charles 227 

Shannon, Mrs. F. A 671 

Shannon, W. H 310 

Shauds, R. R 685 

Shaw.C. K 405 

Shelton, D. S 605 

Shimmin, Thomas 370 

Shoop, W. T 400 

Shotwell, C. B., M. D 237 

Shotwell, J. W 222 

Shrewsbury, Hon. C. K 305 

Simrall, Hon. H. F 398 

Sisk, Bartlett 329 

Smith, B. H 431 

Smith, Edmond 322 

Smith, J. A., M. D 601 

Smith, J. A 398 

Smith, Ralph 176 

Smith, B. R 596 

Smith, W. W 131 

Somerville, Mrs. M. E 694 

Spencer, Archibald 446 

Spm-lock, Bev. M. M .356 

Stapp, W.G 619 

Stau.ber. Col. T. J 425 

Stearns, M. A 408 

Steel, J. H 729 

Stephenson, S.C 382 

Stevenson, U. T 315 

otickle, J. C 559 



Stigall, Reuben 398 

Story, Judge J. R 536 

Stotter. Rev. Heribert 168 

Straube, J. C r. .299 

Stuenkel, L. C. F 461 

Sublett, Judge L. B 442 

Summer, Mrs. S. A 530 

Swain, W. C 473 

Switzer,G.A ,'>84 



Tarwater, Samuel 423 

Taylor, Daniel .'>49 

Taylor, J. D., M. D 418 

Taylor, J. A 647 

Taylor, W.P 509 

Taylor, Zaehary 63 

Teagarden, Edward 120 

- Thomas, R. S 324 

.Thomas, W. E 684 

Thomason, W. A 269 

Thompson, Rev. G. T 376 

Thompson, W.L 482 

Tooey , James 687 

Torney, Rev. Walter 716 

Tower, R. E fi20 

Trent, J. W fisg 

Trigg, Hon. G. W 541 

Triplett, J. E. M 119 

Tucker, D. H 182 

Turner, A. C 524 

Tyler, John h5 



Van Buren, Martin 47 

Vance, Handel 333 

Vandiver, C. P 410 

Vanhoozer, W. R 540 

Vaughn, J. C 385 

Vaughn, W.J 4,33 

Vinsant, Richard 361 



w 



Wack, William 644 

Waldon, G. W., M. D 600 

Walker, A. W i:30 

Walton, Maj. T. H 624 

Warren, H. C, Sr 67o 



Washington, George 19 

M'asson, G.I 708 

Watkins, L. S .566 

Watkins, W.L 216 

Watson, VVilliam 671 

Webster, F. D 166 

Welch , E. B 514 ^ 

Welch, F.M ,'546 

Weltner, J. C 484 

Wertz, Paul >** 

Whitmer, J. C 147 

Wigginton, H.J 421 

Wilkerson, J. C 306 

Willbarger, S. A 365 

Williams, E. M 6W 

Williams, E. W «ii 

Williams, Mrs. Julia :«0 

Williams, G. W 615 

Williams, James .Wl 

Williams, J. S 496 

Williams, Hon. M. B 694 

Williamson, T. J .562 

Wilson, Harrison 232 

Wilson, J T 340 

Wilson, R. R ,573 

Wirt, Charles. . ., 476 

Wiseman, I. M..' .502 

Withers, Edwin 377 

Wollard, Judge S. A 733 

Wollard.T. H 211 

Wood, Col. L.J atl 

Wood, L. J., Jr 338 

Wood, Oscar 489 

Woods, K. M., Jr 371 

Woodson, Col. C. H 7iiJ 

Woodson, T. D 233 

Woodward, Joseph 526 

Woolf, P.M 724 

Woollen, H. C 409 

Wright, Cyras 342 

Wright, J. M 294 

Wymore, W. H. . Sr 146 



Zillman, A. W., M. D 375 

Zuerker, Lawrence 589 



I 



r 



INDEX. 




Adams, John 22 

Adams, John Q 38 

Arthur, Chester A 98 

Baird, W. C, M. D 346 

Benson, M.J 538 

Berry, A. J 598 

Breckenridge, S. E 326 

Buchanan, G. W., M. D 140 

Buchanan, James 74 

Clark, G. W 230 

Cleveland, S. Grover 102 

• Collins, William 180 

■ Corum , Milton 2(i0 

'■craton,M. W.,M. D S76 

■ Crowley, William G58 

Duffett, Henry 7211 



• Elliott, Andrew 628 

; Fifield, Moses 412 

Fillmore, Millard 66 

Forman, L. T 160 

* Gadell, Rev. J. L :»4 

Garfield, James A 94 

Garner, C. T., Sr 1 16 

, Gash.T.M 336 

''Gentry, Benjamin 250 

^ Grant, U.S 86 

Harrison, Benjamin lOii 

Harrison, Orra 220 

Harrison, W. H 30 

Harvey, E. D 518 

. Hassler, Christian 478 

. Haves, R.B '. . . . H» 



Heryford, Hon. William 578 

Highsmith, G. R., M. D 170 

Hubbell, W. P 278 

'Jackson, Andrew 42 

Jefferson , Thomas 26 

' Johnson , Andrew 82 

Keyes,G. W 402 

Kavelock, T. N 608 

Lincoln, Abraham 78 

Mad.son, James 30 

' Manewal, George 440 

/McChesney, H. A., M. D 450 

' Monroe, James 34 

Morris, W. B 308 

Pence, W.H 288 

>' Pierce, Franklin 70 



Polk, J. K 68 

Ralph, Z. D 200 

Reyburn, A. K 190 

Smith, W. W 130 

' Stapp, W. G 618 

^-Stickle, J. C .558 

1 Straube, J. C 29S 

• Stuenkel, L. C. F 460 

'Tarwater, Samuel 422 

■^Taylor, Zachary 62 

Tyler, John 64 

''Van Buren, Martin 46 

' Washington, George 18 

'- Willbarger, S. A 364 

' Wollard, T. H 210 

' Wood, Col. L. J 240 

" Zillman, A. W 374 




Brining, Ed J. H.... 

Jones, J. G 

Luzadder, Hannah. 



Moyer,B.F 567 I Watkins, L. S. 

Nall,G. Y 507 Welch, F. M... , 

Ralph, J. B 487 | Wood, O.scar.. . 



Woodward. Joseph 527 

Zuerker, Lawrence 588 , 




} I 



